Papal bull Champions of the sangh parivar can be forgiven if they are now convinced that the colour of god is saffron. Even the visit of Pope John Paul II seems to have worked in the sangh parivar?s favour. The sangh parivar had made the accusation that missionaries are converting Hindus into Christians. It wants a national debate on conversions. Attacks on Christians and desecrations of churches created an atmosphere of terror among Christians. The situation was aggravated by the presence of a Bharatiya Janata Party led government at the Centre which was hesitant to openly condemn attacks on Christians. From within the Christian community and from among non-Christians as well came voices which emphasized the good work done by Christian missionaries in social work and education. These, it was highlighted, outweighed the proselytizing activities of missionaries. But such arguments have now been drowned by some of the pronouncements made by the pope during his visit. The head of the Roman Catholic Church painted his own vision of the 21st century in which the third millennium would see the triumph of the cross in Asia just as the first millennium had seen Christianity conquer Europe. Thus the pope confirmed the suspicions of the sangh parivar that conversion is very high on the Roman Catholic Church?s agenda. The pope could not have done a greater disservice to his own flock and to the Indian Christian community of all denominations. There is inherent within orthodox Christianity the idea that the church is the only way to salvation. Those who are outside the church will never make it to god. Orthodox Christians thus see proselytization as a divine mission. The pope has reiterated this duty. While no one questions that changing one?s faith is an individual?s basic right, Christian missionaries who take their task seriously will have to admit that a stress on conversion in a multi-religious country like India only creates conditions of religious tension and conflict. The pope, perhaps because he is unaware of Indian realities and also because his interpretation of his faith tends to be inclined on the side of orthodoxy, played directly into the hands of the sangh parivar. The latter has only to show some of the pope?s statements to make their point that missionaries are out to convert and nothing else. All arguments made in support of Christian missionaries will lose some of their cutting edge. The debate on conversion will now be carried out on terms set by the sangh parivar. It is ironic that the pope?s visit should have ensured this. John Paul II may be satisfied that he has spread the good word. But many Christians in India must be wondering if they really deserved this kind of papal blessing.