Speaking to reporters yesterday, Bishop Peter, who was elected to the highest office of the CNI at its recent synod at New Delhi, said growing fundamentalism was acting as a threat to democracy, besides damaging the secular fabric of the nation.

Launching a scathing attack on increasing fanaticism, he said the church should initiate a dialogue to solve the issue and adopt a cautious approach in reacting to recent disturbances.

Condemning the assault on Catholic nuns in Madhya Pradesh, he said the suppression of the minorities had shown an upward trend in recent years.Punitive measures would not be beneficial in the long run, instead, a person should be given a chance to reform, he added.

Bishop Peter said efforts were also needed to restore confidence among Dalit Christians as regards their constitutional andeconomic rights, adding nuclear nations should eliminate weapons that posed a threat to the survival of human beings and the environment.

He feared the erosion of human rights and called upon the government to initiate urgent measures to end child prostitution, bonded labour and exploitation of the poorer sections of society.

They should be offered the benefits of reservation, he added.