Ranchi, April 30: Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo today expressed shock at the beating up of a catholic priest at Barwadih in Latehar district by anti-social elements and stressed that he remained opposed to the spate of anti-conversion bills that have been introduced in several states of the country.

Just before leaving for Rome on a month-long visit today, that would include pilgrimages to Turkey and Greece, Toppo told The Telegraph that the existing laws of the country were enough to contain all efforts to convert people by force. “The Roman Catholic Church remains opposed to all forms of conversions by fraud and allurement. Any one found to be forcibly converting people into the catholic faith should be brought to book,” Toppo said.

Responding to criticisms that he was opposed to anti-conversion bills, Toppo pointed out the constitution guaranteed all the people of this country a right to follow a religion of their choice. “There is no need for separate anti-conversion bills,” Toppo stressed.