February 2011 Vol.1 No.6 ` 15

National Fortnightly for Christian Leadership February 2011 Vol.1 No.6 ` 15

SMART COMPANIONINDIA

Joti Sahi on Indian Christian Art

Editorial Human Rights Reloaded

ews is flowing in ...from Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Myan- Nmar, Palestine, India and still more, about people’s struggle for freedom, and their demand for facilitating basic needs conducive to live normal human lives. The 10 lakh Egyptians who have taken to streets demanding democratic rule has turned out as a historical uprising that still is on. “Germany should put Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on trial for human rights breaches if he seeks refuge in a German hospital. Because, he represents a system in which people have been systematically tortured and abused for decades,” Amnesty International said in Berlin on 8th Feb. 2011. In the wake of the killing of an innocent youth in North Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered the Army to put an end to the violation of human rights. In Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other party leaders appeal to the UN Human Rights Council against Burmese junta’s decision to dissolve the National League for Democracy. In Mexico, three people are kidnapped in a suburb of Ciudad Juarez just because they happened to be the relatives of Josefina Reyes, a human rights activist murdered in northern Mexico in 2010. So there is no end to human rights violations, an omnipresent phenomenon. Human rights may mean different things to people in different situations. What does human rights mean to a man who survives on less than 2000 calories a day? And yet, one third of the world’s population falls into this category. It is necessary that human rights be redefined with a clear thrust and option in favour of the disadvantaged. The real flaw in the rights’ arena is that of inequality. It is a ‘race of un-equals’. Nothing is so unjust as to share equally among un-equals. The dominant neo-liberal economic system is characterised by competi- tion and profit making. This contradicts the values of equality and cooperation which qualify human rights. The present human rights machinery is geared in favour of the rich and the powerful. The profit motive itself goes against any commitment to human rights. For example, while millions of dollars are spent to research on ‘Viagra’, with an eye on huge profits, there is a culpable negligence with regard to study on tropical diseases which kill millions of people in the third world countries. This is negation of the basic right to life. The primary and necessary challenge is to ensure that human rights become the prerogative of the poor. If the discourse were to turn typically Christian, Jesus affirmed and worked for the restoration of human rights to every person, especially to the weakest and most helpless. Christian ministry, to be authentic, has to pass this acid test of befriending the most vulnerable. Being a Christian in India has essentially to do with this. All the rest are but peripherals. The two cover stories in this issue place these two challenges before our readers. Really the nation needs a ‘conversion’ towards compassion.

Dr. George Therukaattil

Smart Companion India February 2011 3 National Fortnightly for Christian Leadership January 2011 Vol.1 No.6 ` 15 PATRONS SMART COMPANIONINDIA Vol.1 No. 6 February 2011

Managing Editor Dr. George Therukattil Chief Editor Dr. Jacob Naluparayil Executive Editor Sr. Leela Jose Cardinal Cardinal Executive Editor Thomas K.J. Telesphore Toppo (Online Edition) Oswald Gracias Sub Editor Sr. Virginia BS Contributing Editors Allwyn Fernandes (Crisis Communications, Mumbai), Cyril D’Souza SDB (Religious Education, Rome), Felix Raj SJ (Education, Kolkatta),Francis Gonsalves SJ (Contextual Catholicos Cardinal Theologies, Delhi),Godfrey D’Lima SJ (Social Baselios Mar Cleemis Varkey Vithayathil Activism, Maharashtra), Jacob Parappally MSFS (Dogmatic Theology, Bangaluru), Joe Andrew SDB (Media, Chennai), John Dayal (Human Rights Journalist, Delhi), Subhash Anand (Indian Philosophy and Religions, Udaipur), Virginia Saldanha (Women’s Issues, Mumbai) MCBS Provincial Design Cibin Moothedam Francis Kodiyan Photo Nias Marikar Illustrations Sathish Krishna Advisory Board Circulation Thomas Kuzhiyadichira Rev. Henry D’Souza Advertisement Shibu John (Bishop, Bellary) Rev. Steven Rotluanga Regional Correspondents (Bishop, Aizawl) Adolf Washington (Bangaluru), Joseph S. (Varanasi), Rev. Felix Toppo (Bishop, Jamshedpur) Ivan D’Silva SVD (Arunachal), Santosh Digal (Orissa), Sr. Santan Nago FS Santosh Sebastian (Gorakhpur), Shane Alliew (Kolkatta) (Superior General, Fatima Sisters, Pune) George Plathottam SDB (CBCI Media Commission) EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Felix Wilfred DR. JACOB SRAMPICKAL SJ (Asian Centre for Cross Cultural Studies, Madras) Jose Kavi Editorial Office (UCAN, Delhi) SMART COMPANION INDIA Kalpaka Bungalow National Fortnightly for Christian Leadership February 2011 Vol.1 No.6 ` 15 Perumanoor P.O. SMART COMPANIONINDIA Thevara, Kochi - 680 215 Kerala, INDIA. [email protected] website : www.smartcompanion.in Contact : 0484 - 2334766, 09447679783

Articles published in this magazine are copyrighted. Illegal copying and reproduction by any means is punishable under the copyright laws. Articles published will be made available to the readers for personal use on written request. Disclaimer: Smart COMPANION is dedicated to providing useful and well researched pieces of information. Joti Sahi on However readers are advised to consult prior to acting on it. The views expressed by writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the Indian Christian Art views of the editor or publisher of the magazine. Smart COMPANION does not accept any liability for errors or redundancies of any nature whatsoever. All disputes are subject to the Cochin jurisdiction only. Cover: Painting by Joti Sahi

4 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 5 Joti Sahi on Indian Christian Art leader moulds faith matters 8 l Social Networks 24 l Corruption Pope route charts Christian Cybernauts, voy- Civil society has to wake up to corruption fanned aging the cyberspace. by injustice 22 l Lessons from WikiLeaks 34 l Seeking Truth Together This age demands transparency from all, Congregation for Doctrine and Faith meets Indian Church not exempted Theologians and Bishops 32 l Guruji of Gaunaha 40 l Logos Heroic commitment of a Patna Jesuit, to em- An inspiring exegetic journey through the Sunday power the poorest Gospels 32 l Ishvàni Kendra An Institute to equip and update missionaries news & views 32 l Homily Communication 10 l Top Ten Homily is making Faith relevant here and now Across the globe, top Christian News at a glance 33 l Top Five interviews Important Christian news across the country 42 l Final Cut 9 l Ten Questions Christian community in Karanataka confronts Bp Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad takes the biased judgement questions 30 l Indian Christian Art regulars Joti Sahi’s limpid expose on Christian Art 3 l Editorial 6 l Readers’ Voices media 36 l Foot Prints 37 l Film: CREATION 39 l Press Month focus 1: Human Rights 38 l Future of Regional Catholic Press

focus 2: Being Christian

focus 2:

4 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 5 READERS’ VoICEs

National Fortnightly for Christian Leadership January 2011 Vol.1 No.5 ` 15

SMART COMPANIONREADERSINDIA ’ V oICEs e thank our readers for the encouraging response to WCompanion. Due to limitation of space we are un- able to publish all comments. We select some representing different areas and topics. Please continue to get back to IN THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN

VAT ICAN SLAMS NOBEL FOR ART

FUNERALS WITH OUT COFFINS CHURCH & PSYCHOLOG Y us with your ‘voices’ and suggestions. Religious Women QUO VADIS ? Spirituality is the fizz Smart Companion India | July 2010 1 Editor

Superb and classy Hearty Congratulations! Looks engagement in shaping Christian Many thanks for the e-copy of good! Reads good! Feels good! leadership. Companion...It is a superb initia- Feeds good! Theology, news, Fr. Santiago, tive and has class. Congratula- experience of people, reflections... Pontifical Council for Inter-religious tions. Knowing the Indian Church good mix! Hope it will reach all Dialogue, Rome quite well, I must say, this journal over India, especially in the hands Call to renewal is a very positive initiative and de- of the youth as well. Let it reflect Thanks for COMPANION. I do serves the support of all who have the grass-root life, realities and not feel it is a new endeavor to renew come to know and love the unique remain in the clouds. I hope Com- the church in our times. I promise legacy and identity of the Church panion will promote a give and all support to your initiatives. in India. take culture so that we can express Sr. Margaret Mary cj Fr.Bernard O’Connor our opinions, doubts, questions Kathmandu Canada. and insights without the faer of PR Management excels (Formerly, Under-secretary, Oriental labeling and witch hunt. Allwyn Fernandes’ column PR Congregation, Rome) Fr. Philip Kattakayam Management truly stands out. I Sisters, wake up Faith Education, Nav Jyoti, Patna. like his spontaneous, well studied I really liked the editorial. You Professional outlook and intelligent handling of vari- are making a very valid point. Re- With its innovatively profes- ous issues. That adds novelty to ligious Congregations are increas- sional outlook and contextually rel- the magazine. I find his comments ingly finding themselves jobless evant content, Smart COMPAN- sincere and can help to renew the in areas in which Governments ION promises to keep us updated, church, if Church authorities could are taking on - education, health in a reader-friendly language, in take heed. It is the voice of a lay care etc. One of the problems is matters of faith and other cur- man worth attending to. Keep up that the vital areas of catechesis rent issues, local as well as global. the good work, Allwyn. and pastoral care are often seen Kudos to the entire team of Smart Anslem Britto, as second-class occupations with Companion for their initiative and Calcutta less-able people assigned to what is actually the essential engagement for the Church in an increasingly Women religious secular and materialistic society Thanks for the coverage on in which the teachers themselves religious Sisters -the editorial need to be catechized. Even with and Sr. Jyoti’s article. I often the Jesuits, one was telling me wonder why there are so many lately that parishes often receive religious congregations when the ‘leftovers’ after the universities most of them are engaged in and colleges have been staffed. It’s the same kind of work in parish, a pity. school, hospital and now some and political parties that con- Janet Fearns in villages. I can understand the stantly break up to form new Missio, London division as contemplatives and ones? Hope Companion can do Good mix the apostolic ones. But why so a detailed study on this later Thank you for sending me an many apostolic groups? Is it like Martin Joseph, electronic copy of ‘Companion’. the many break away churches Calcutta

6 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 7 READERS’ VoICEs

READERS’ VJoint action promotesoICE s goodwill We are the church Godfrey’s D’Lima suggests I read with great interest the ar- that we get involved in socio- ticle on the Chottanagpur Church. cultural and political activities with I am waiting for its continuation members of other religions. He in the next issue. Companion is a highlights it as the ideal and most unique publication, ‘of the church, practical way for inter-religious by the church and for the church’. many sacrifices of our ances- amity in India. I am happy to note Reading the stories of faith from tors cannot go wasted. Thanks that sharing of Fr. Albert also different parts of the country I for such stories reveal a similar trend. If only the understand how the church in In- Yacub Soreng Church can reach out to others dia came to the present state. The Delhi with greater openness and freedom can true dialogue happen. causes. class, good standard, very helpful George Bastian Arthur Pinto to us in the field of leadership. I Mumbai Pune give over to our different com- Stark reality Media scan has to grow munities in Indore the copies I Louis Prakash paints a stark, but Cinema is not the only media. receive. Surely I find it worth pro- down to earth picture of ‘India We need more on TV, Catho- moting this magazine. I hope that shining’. Often we get the illusion lic books, Internet portals, Web Companion succeeds to reach out that all that the media ‘blah.. blah’ services. I would be grateful if you to the whole country soon about the great India that we are could come up with an article on Fr Alex Koonthanam is all true. And yet reality is far how to make good use of social Indore apart. It was truly an eye opener net working sites by city parishes. Nourish relationships to common people like me. I also Modern media have tremendous Dr. Albert Nambiaparampil find the reflections in box form possibilities. Why does the Church CMI assigns the beautiful im- very interesting. I feel the Church shy away from them? age of a pilgrim for a dialogue has a great role to play in this area Martin Joseph, practitioner. A pilgrim is a true of empowering poor people with Bhuvaneswar seeker who journeys with fellow awareness building. Even the poor Son of man pilgrims. A pilgrim receives and are allured by the ‘shining’ without I must say that The Final Cut shares with the fellow travellers. realizing that their life is at stake. was a timely hit. I also felt that the Pilgrims enjoy relationships and Ancett Fernandes Son of Man (Jesus) is telling us not they are interdependent on one Pune to lose our faith in priests. There another. Dr Albert from his ex- Conscience tickling are many sincere, hard working and perience tells us that ‘relationship’ The issue of Endosulfan once truly devoted priests even today. is the starting point of dialogue. again confirmed the fact that our They may not be canonized but In relationships we share our ‘great’ country do not value its they are really serious about their faith stories, joys and sufferings people for what they are – human work as missionaries. Thanks for of daily lives and work for the beings. How can people elected restoring hope in priests in spite of common good. Dr Albert’s life Governments who swear on the visible failures on the part of some and work is a great inspiration Constitution behave so selfishly of them. for many young practicioners of and opt for death and destruction Aloysius Saldanha interfaith dialogue. to their fellow beings? How can Karwar Fr Victor Edwin SJ pastors and leaders be so silent Sharing the good about issues such as these? When Companion is a magazine of COMP it comes to money and power everything else becomes relative. Send your Letters to: [email protected] It is too late that we act. As the column rightly calls itself ‘FATH Smart COMPANION INDIA ACTIVE’, we Christians have to Kalpaka Bungalow, Perumanoor P.O. learn to live and express our faith Thevara Jn. Kochi Kerala - 680 215, India. in being committed to people’s Call & SMS 0484 2664733/094476 79783

6 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 7 vatican trends

tive relations,” says the Pope. He invites all Christians to use social networking intelligently and responsibly. He is aware that the web is contributing to the development of new intellectual and spiritual horizons, new forms of shared awareness. He upholds that convinced believers can help prevent the web from becoming an instrument which depersonalizes people, attempting to manipulate them emotionally or allowing those who are powerful to monopolize the opinions of others. The Pope invites young people in particular to make good use of their presence in the digital world and communicate with honesty and integrity. The new technologies are not Social Networks & only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself. As a result, we are living through a Positive period of vast cultural transforma- tion. The spread of information and knowledge is giving birth to Relationships new ways of learning and thinking. He also cautions us to avoid dangers such as “enclosing oneself ope Benedict XVI has asked and respectful of others.” He in a sort of parallel existence, or PCatholics to make their pres- reminds that through one’s digital excessive exposure to the virtual ence felt in the social networking profile and the way of communi- world.” websites. It is part of his message cation, choices, preferences and He tells the youth to make wise for the 45th World Day of Social judgements one can proclaim the use of the digital technologies and Communications, released on Gospel values. constantly ask themselves, “Who is 24 January, 2011. He says there The Pope warns that virtual my ‘neighbour’ in this new world?” is a Christian Style of using the contacts in online friendships can- Lost in cyberspace, there can be Internet. The Internet has great not and must not take the place of the danger of becoming “less at- potentials to cater to the perennial direct human contact with people tentive to real people” living with human aspirations for meaning, at every level of our lives. us and around us. The choices on truth and unity. “Social networking...has con- the Net are to be critically evalu- The Christian way of being pres- tributed to a new appreciation of ated in order to “foster human ent in the digital world, “takes the communication itself, which is seen relationships which are truly deep form of a communication which first of all as dialogue, exchange, and lasting.” is honest and open, responsible solidarity and the creation of posi- COMP

8 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 9 shepherd’s voice 10 Questions

Born on Oct. 14, 1952, in Nadiad, as the son of a Catechist, Bp Macwan is the first Guja- rati Bishop and the 4th local Ordinary of Ahmedabad Diocese from Jan. 11, 2003. Visits all parishes and mission stations, keeps in touch with priests and laity through frequent mails. Maintains constant contact with the leaders of all communities, especially with the heads of different Christian denominations.

What do your frequent clergy shallow. The Faithful are regular meetings aim at? at Sunday and feast day services. Bishop Thomas Macwan The diocesan priest is not a lone Their piety is nourished by all man as many think. He belongs parishes. Parents are very commit- difficulties the Church in Gujarat to the Diocesan Family. Brother- ted to the faith formation of their continues to grow. Faith is a matter hood amongst them is a need for children. 99% send their chil- of personal choice and cannot be the priests and for the growth dren to Catholic schools. Special enforced by law. We have chal- of the diocese. So I spent quality instruction is given prior to First lenged the Coversion Bill in the time organizing meetings, spiritual Holy Communion, Confirmation High Court of Gujarat. Hope moments like recollections and and Marriage. We also provide God will help us. God will surely retreats, the Vianney Day celebra- sufficient catechetical resources for help us. tion, monthly Missionary Meetings, the people. On the other hand, it the yearly General Body Meeting is true that people’s basic fidelity Your response to the SC judg- and a two day outing. I am very to sacramental life is also to be ex- ment on Staines’ murder case? much a part of it all. This fosters tended to more activities, requiring The Sc upheld the life sentence bonds of friendship and familial deeper faith. on Dara Singh...that surely was the feelings among the clergy. How do you propose to handle right thing!. But the content of How does the diocesan ‘Think in-fighting and rivalry in the the Judgement (and the aspersions Tank’ help you? community? on Christianity) which referred to “conversions” ,”being provoked I am proud of the ‘Think Tank’. This is a rare phenomenon, “ etc., is very disturbing. It seems It consists of clergy and religious. among a very small section of the to justify the crime of Dara Singh. The group comes together once in laity that stands at odds with the Even though the SC has bent to 3 months. It makes an assessment hierarchy. In general, there is good some corrections on the offensive of all that happens in the State, the relationship with all, including remarks, the damage has already pressures faced by the church from those who criticize the hierarchy. been done. The validity of Article various sections - political, social Human follies and weaknesses are 25 of the Constitution, which gives or internal. We then draw up a everywhere and that is why we are every citizen the right to freely strategy to respond in the Chris- sinners in need of a Saviour. “preach ,practise and propagate tian spirit, making use of all the Religious women and their one’s religion” is at stake. available Constitutional support. role in the diocese? Why do you consider books Lay participation in the dio- I believe that the Diocese has the best gift? cese? grown precisely because of the I like to read spiritual books for The diocese functions in a cordial and collaborative relation- my personal growth. So, when I spirit of collaboration from all ship between the priests and the come across a good book, I send sections. At the grass root level we religious. At times temperamental it to all the priests serving in the have the Parish Pastoral Council, or ego problems do prop up. But diocese. My hope is that it might then Deanery Pastoral Council proper intervention helps to bring help them towards growth. and finally the Diocesan Pastoral about a quick solution. As in other Council. All these meet regularly. areas there is always space for im- What is the diocesan road The various commissions of the provement in this area too. map for the next 10-20 years? diocese have active lay representa- Your stand regarding conver- I am dreaming of a diocese tives collaborating in the diocesan sions? which would give rise to saints. activities. From January 2011 each Even 2000 years ago, Christ had I also look forward for a better parish will also have a Finance to face oppositions in His mission. run local Church with greater lay committee with lay representatives. In the early Church many were participation. I wish to see the laity Your response to the need of martyred for their faith. And yet fully active in direct evangelization. faith formation? the Church thrived by the blood Interviewed by Varghese Paul SJ I wouldn’t say that the faith is of the martyrs. In spite of all the COMP

8 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 9 international news 123456789

Revised Bible Egypt Uprising 1Washington 4 Cairo The revised New American Bible that will be released As massive demonstrations moved into their second on Ash Wednesday, March 9. It claims to be notably dif- week in Cairo, the Vatican’s top ambassador Archbishop ferent to casual readers for its context and clarity in how Michael Fitzgerald there said that “in spite of a sense the passages fit together. “It will be like going from reg- of uncertainty is a will for change in the country.” He ular TV to high-definition,” said Mary Elizabeth Sperry, said the “underlying factors” in the protests are “so- associate director of New American Bible utilization for cial conditions which have made life very difficult for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “You’ll have the people” — including high rates of poverty and un- same programs but more clarity, more detail.” The new Bible will be available in an assortment of print, audio theology promoted the preferential option for the poor, and electronic formats, from a variety of publishers. The which represents “the church’s sincere and responsible language is made more contemporary. The editorial board concern for the vast phenomenon of social exclusion”. met one weekend a month for years, reviewing each oth- But there were tendencies that needed correction. Chris- ers’ work, and the Bishops closely supervised the work. tians must understand the option for the poor as a reli- Church Prays for Mandela gious obligation and not as part of an ideology,” he said. Cape Town AIDS Exposes Moral Poverty 2The 92-year-old anti-apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela South Africa returned home after a two day hospitalisation for a respi- 5 AIDS “is a disease Africa shares with gay people in ratory infection. Catholic Church offered special prayers Europe and North America,” said Archbishop Buti Tl- for him. “Former President Mandela means different hagale of Johannesburg to his fellow bishops on Jan. 25 things to different people,” Cardinal Napier, archbishop at the start of a nine-day plenary meeting in Pretoria. of Durban said. To his family, Mandela “is a veritable pa- He criticized the “poverty of moral thinking in Africa” triarch who is an example of the virtues of a truly great and dependency on “American-European thinking” in and loving father.” To South Africans, “he is a great and developing solutions to a growing epidemic of the dis- inspiring leader, a true icon of the ... reconciliation which ease. The 70-bed Catholic Hospital in Akwanga, Nige- we still need urgently”. To the international community ria, in a rural farming community treats nearly 1,500 “he is a unique African and global statesman who rose people with antiretroviral therapy, the life-saving drug above personal, tribal, race and party interests, to lead the regimen for patients with HIV. UNAIDS estimated that nation from apartheid to democracy.” Mandela received about 5.6 million South Africans had HIV or AIDS in more than 10,000 messages of good wishes during his 2009. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most heavily af- illness, including that of U.S. President Barack Obama. fected region. Archbishop Tlhagale called upon the bishops’ conference to “invest in the training of mor- Liberation Theology al theologians in a more systematic fashion.” He also 3 Vatican recommended strict monitoring of implementations. Archbp. Joao Braz de Aviz, who now heads the Christians Being Ousted Congregation for Religious, said he lived with a lot of anguish during the years of the birth of liberation the- 6 Iraq ology. “I came very close to abandoning my priestly A senior cleric in Iraq has said that Christians are be- vocation and even the Church. But a strong relation- ing systematically attacked, with the intention of driv- ship with the Focolare movement and a dedication to ing them out of the country. Archdeacon Emanuel its spirituality of unity saved me,” he said. Liberation Youkhana, who has been coordinating the humanitar-

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Interfaith Harmony Week” on 3 February to promote dialogue and civility among the world’s religions. Ac- cording to a resolution passed by the U.N. General employment. In addition, he said there is a general Assembly, this initiative is meant to reaffirm that “mu- “feeling of dissatisfaction with regard to a lack of tual understanding and interreligious dialogue con- political rights and dissatisfaction with the recent stitute important dimensions of a culture of peace.” elections.” He said the demonstrations have been The yearly observance has three goals: coordinate ef- remarkably free from religious overtones. “They are forts of positive work; use places of worship to foster not dividing themselves into Christians and Mus- peace; encourage religious clergy to declare support lims, they’re just the Egyptian citizens.” In the first for peace. It has garnered the support of international days of unrest, Muslims and Christians spontane- leaders. The ‘World Interfaith Harmony’ website en- ously formed neighbourhood committees to provide lists 44 separate events scheduled around the world. security when police forces abruptly fled the area. Red Signal to ‘Neocatechumenals’ ian aid for Christian families in Iraq, told Aid to the 9 Japan Church in Need that neither the government nor the Archbp. Peter Takeo Okada of Tokyo has aksed the international community had done enough to stem ‘Neocatechumenals’ to halt their activities in Japan “for a the ongoing exodus of Christians in the region. He while” in order to reflect and prepare the ground for a new said that both the Government and the media are dialogue with the Japanese Church. Less than a month denying the facts. According to Youkhana the in- ago, the Pope had removed the five year ban on Neocat ternational community had “achieved nothing” in activities, called for by the Japanese Episcopal Confer- its condemnation of acts of violence such as the ence. Msgr. Okada considers it more urgent to think of October 31st massacre of at least 58 people at the the 30 thousand Japanese suicides a year, to attend to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad. needs of the population and to care for the sick and the Non-Catholic Head disabled. The prelate stresses that the problems created by the presence of the Neocatechumenal movement in 7 Vatican Japan saddens him, particularly the “division, conflict Pope Benedict XVI has appointed the Nobel laure- and chaos that the movement has brought among us.” ate Werner Arber, a Protestant, to head the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Professor Arber, 81, a Swiss Rethinking Celibacy Rules microbiologist, who teaches at the University of 10Germany Basel, shared the 1978 Nobel Prize for Physiology/ Eight senior members of the German Chancellor An- Medicine, with two American scientists. The Prize gela Merkel’s ruling Christian Democratic Union have was for the discovery and application of restriction urged the Catholic church to consider relaxing the celi- enzymes, used in fighting bacterial infection. He has bacy rule, at least to allow married men into the priest- been a member of the Vatican’s scientific academy hood. In the context of the growing shortage of priests, since May 1981 and is on the board of directors. “it is of urgent importance, that Germany’s bishops take He succeeds the Italian Nicola Cabibbo, who died on the ordination of viri probati [established men], as their in August, 2010. The nomination of a non-Catholic cause,” wrote the authors of an open letter. The bish- head is the first in the history of the academy since ops’ conference while not ruling out the ordination of its foundation in 1603. The Academy studies a range married men, stressed the need for formation of opinion of scientific issues. It has a staff of more than 80 re- and decision on a global church level. In 1970, Joseph searchers, thirty of them being Nobel Prize winners. Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict) and eight other leading theologians had signed a memorandum proposing that Interfaith Harmony Week the Catholic Church “quite simply has a responsibility United Nations to take up certain modifications” on celibacy which re- 8The United Nations kicked off the first “World quires “examination at the highest levels” in the church. COMP

10 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 11 focus national

Human Rights Violated or Respected? Greatest threat in confronting human rights violations is the ‘culture of silence’ into which substantial part of the middle class and intelligentsia has fallen

he media presented a horri- ties and political rights, the most medical experimentation, deliber- Tfying image in late 2010 - the fundamental of which is the right ate starvation and a range of other body of an alleged woman Maoist to physical life and safety. atrocities. The saddest part is that murdered by soldiers in an ‘en- When we want to protect human some of these are results of poli- counter,’ in West Bengal. Her slim, rights it is primarily to ensure that cies implemented by governments, short body hanging from a pole, people receive some degree of de- a typical case of the protector black hair let loose, eyes closed, cent, humane treatment. Corollary: turning violator. legs dangling and two soldiers to violate the most basic, human Malegaon Bombing and carrying her like a piece of ‘heavy rights is to deny individuals their the innocent accused luggage.’ Even the memory of the fundamental moral entitlements. 31 people were killed and picture was revolting. She is a hu- It is, in a sense, to treat them as if another 312 injured in Malegaon man being, a woman and has the they are less than human and unde- blast on September 8, 2006. After right to be treated as one. serving of respect and dignity. the usual enquiries, Anti Terror- You may debate the statement, The spread and depth of human ist Squad (ATS), the investigating ‘man/woman is the crown of rights violations have skyrocketed agency, arrested nine members of creation’. But nobody challenges over the centuries. They include the Students’ Islamic Movement the fact that every human being large scale genocide, war crimes, of India (SIMI) in connection with is entitled to basic human rights religious persecution, torture, slav- the blasts. They are still in jail. which include certain civil liber- ery, rape, enforced sterilization or Then came the startling confes-

12 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 13 sion from Swami Aseemanand begin with the use of torture and million working as child labourers. that he and his collaborators were degrading treatment or punish- The country ogles at the ‘Antila’, responsible for the blasts. Aseem- ment. (Ambani’s luxury home) while qui- anand, who used to run the Shabri Look at any police station or jail etly asking herself whether or not Dham ashram, told a court in in this country; they have a story to such lavish expenditure is vulgar Delhi, in December last year that tell of a torture. considering the home (which has apart from the Mecca masjid blast According to the Ministry of three helipads and parking for over in Hyderabad and the Ajmer dar- Home Affairs in 2007-2008, 1789 160 cars) is so close to some of the gah blasts, his associates were also persons died in judicial custody, sprawling slums around Mumbai. involved in the 2006 and 2008 Ma- while 187 died in police custody. The starkest violation of human legaon blasts. According to reports, Since 2000, according to the same rights in this motherland of ours Aseemanand, in his confessional Ministry, prison custody deaths is the total neglect of rural areas, statement, said that while Male- increased by 54.02 percent by which constitute 70 percent of gaon was targeted as 80 percent of 2008, while police custody deaths people, and the encouragement its residents were Muslims, Ajmer during the same period have of privatization of resources, was targeted as scores of Hindus increased by 19.88 percent. From promotion of multinational and were visiting the dargah and they 2004-05 to 2007-08, prison custody transnational corporations. Take wanted to put a stop to this. deaths have increased by 70.72 one instance, that of Singur, What about the basic human percent, while for police custody West Bengal. The state wanted rights of all those Muslims inter- deaths during the same period the an industry in this area. In West rogated, tortured and now incar- increase was by 12.60 percent. Bengal, nearly 70 percent of the cerated for a crime they never Development, Depriva- landmass is agricultural and fertile, committed? tion and Human Rights most of it multi-crop. Farming Indian Jails and the under violation provides livelihood for a major- trials Narmada, Plachimada, Singur, ity of the population. So, if any India has around 1,500 jails and a host of other names cas- new industry is to come up, land having a capacity to lodge 2.5 lakh cade memories of human rights acquisition is essential. There is a prisoners. But these house as many violations in this country of ours. Land Acquisition Act which allows as 3.5 lakh inmates. As many as 70 India, shining on the one hand the government to acquire private percent of the jail population com- and dark and obtuse on the other. land for public use provided the prises undertrials, which means The fourth largest economy in the best rehabilitation and compensa- their number could be pegged at world cannot feed one-third of its tion package is made available to 2.45 lakh. As 70 percent of the population and that too despite the affected farmer. How do you under trial prisoners are booked its barns overflowing and grain rot- rehabilitate a third or probably for petty offences, this category ting because of a dearth of storage fourth generation farmer? Mon- of population in jails would be 1.7 facilities. The country has 53 etary compensation is not enough lakh. billionnaires, fourth largest in the when you remove the roots, shelter In other words, this huge popu- world, but also maintains three mil- and source of livelihood of people lation is languishing in jail for of- lion children living on the street, 17 along with their land. Can you then fences they may or may never have committed. Some of those who did commit those petty offences Ignorance is the problem would repeatedly have undergone punishment. A violation of human rights perpetrated by the State The religions, their itself. Dr. Maggie Gonsalves CCV Feminist Theologian, mushrooming sects Torture: Mother of all Editor, Empowerment of Women and the fundamentalist Human Rights violations Religious India groups are the main ‘To torture someone is not just proponents of this to violate that person’s rights. It is There is a significant lack of awareness in violation. Unfortu- to break them physically and men- India on what human rights are. Silencing nately, women’s rights tally, to haunt them for the rest of prophetic voices through nicknaming, defam- are violated by men their lives. Torture stigmatizes and ing etc. are subtle ways of violating human who run and control ostracizes. Families, spouses and rights. This dismaying absence of awareness most of the women’s children, also bear the brunt, left to and even silencing is often justified by citing empowerment pro- lead isolated and demoralized lives.’ Nazi like obedience to the mandatory powers. grammes/projects. Violations of all human rights

12 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 13 tion devoted to the conservation Human Rights Culture Yet to Grow of Constitutional civil liberties and human rights that was founded by the late Shri Jayaprakash Narayan. Dr. T. K. John SJ, one obeys. The higher the caste, In Chhattisgarh, the PUCL has Theologian-activist, Delhi. the more the rights. The lowest has been in the forefront of exposing hardly any right but only enjoined the atrocities of the police. My There are constitutional, legal duties. The higher you are in this prosecution is malafide; in fact it and other statutory provisions of social scale the more arbitrary is a persecution. I am being made recent origin for human rights. becomes your decisions for those an example by the state govern- Besides, there is a National below. This conditions every one’s ment of Chhattisgarh as a warning Human Rights Commission, a mindset: the police, the landlord, to others not to expose the patent creature of the Parliament. There the boss in offices, the husband, trampling of human rights taking is fairly good space for freedom and the political leader. Hindu right place in the state.” of expression and of dissent. wing ideology has penetrated prac- There are people’s movements tically every sector of Indian gov- Culture of Silence The greatest threat in confront- appropriating this space. But the ernance, and the media. Minorities ing human rights violations in this culture of human rights is yet to are feeling suffocated and chocked country is the ‘culture of silence’ grow. Caste system is endemic for the exercise of their rights. into which substantial part of the and is not a promoter but a block Human rights are on a downward middle class and intelligentsia has to human rights. Each caste’s journey due to majoritarianism in fallen. Even the religious seem to duties are prescribed, and every religion, in action. have become part of this. At times it is lack of awareness, other times fault the farmers who fight the placement and evictions, extreme it is sheer arrogance. And for them so-called development because it is poverty and social oppression, the words of Pastor Martin Ni- going to pauperize them? livelihood, mal-governance and emöller may be the most relevant Maoists and human police brutality are the real reasons in the situation of widespread hu- rights violations behind Maoist expansion. And man rights violations. Facts are scary. It is reported what happens when you challenge First they came for the Socialists, that Maoists operate in 231 of the state on this! and I did not speak out. Because the 626 districts in the country, Dr. Binayak Sen I was not a Socialist. which is almost 40 percent of the A trained medical doctor, with a Then they came for the Trade geographical areas of India. They track record of medical and social Unionists, have around 20,000 armed activists work along with the struggle for And I did not speak out. Because and lakhs of supporters across social justice, Dr. Binayak Sen is I was not a Trade Unionist. the country. One can understand accused of sedition and has been Then they came for the Jews, the perturbance of the state. But sentenced for life. In his own And I did not speak out. Because why does the state and civil society words, “My work in the area of I was not a Jew. forget the reality that the Maoist- Community health, as well as work Then they came for me dominated areas in central India on Human Rights has been nation- And there was no one left to are coterminous with areas of mas- ally and internationally recognized. speak for me. sive forcible displacement? That I have been a member of People’s Use of the International law, together with equity and justice Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) joining hands with Human Rights issues related to land, forced dis- from 1981. PUCL is an organiza- defenders, organizations like

14 Smart Companion India February 2011 Human Rights Violation Rampant Dr. Margaret Shanthi, ICM Feminist theologian, Ex provincial What about the human rights of the more than 40% of In- dia’s population that live below poverty line? Peoples’ Right to Food is violated even as tonnes of grains rot in go-downs. Christian tribals of Khandamal fear returning to their homes, threatened by Hindu fanat- ics - a gross violation of Right to Religious Freedom. The Government’s silence to the demands of Dalit Christians is yet another cry falling on deaf ears. The growing violence and Binayak Sen being brought to the Raipur court on December 24 crimes against women, and the struggles of women Panchayat PUCL, Amnesty International, every human being. leaders against male chauvinism Asian Human Rights Com- are realities that reveal the viola- mission and other civil society tion of Human Rights. Above organizations promoting human all are the numerous oppres- rights has become the need of sions, killings, delayed legal pro- the hour. So let us speak up for Dr M.K.George SJ cesses and illegal confinements Promotion of Human Rights for Director ISI, Bangalore. of the falsely framed poor. COMP

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Lessons from WikiLeaks

hat is the essence of work of prelates for intelligence. bracing themselves for possible Tthe Wikileaks story for They have revealed that an F.B.I. exposure after a banker gave Julian all those in power. Gone are agent, Robert P. Hanssen, was a Assange of WikiLeaks a CD con- the days when governments member of Opus Dei and pleaded taining details of some 2,000 bank could seal official records and guilty in 2001 to being a longtime accounts. What the Government direct that they be opened 50 Russian spy, raising suspicion that of India is not willing to reveal or 75 years later, long after the Opus Dei benefited from his spy- openly before the Supreme Court, dramatic personae had passed ing activities. citing treaty restrictions, may well on. The embarrassing details of Cardinal Angelo Sodano, former become public! what went on behind the scenes Vatican Secretary of State, was To some, Julian Assange is a came to be known only to their projected by WikiLeaks as having hero, a man who turns the search- descendants and historians. In a tried to pressure the US govern- light on the dark corners of the world of real time communica- ment to influence the courts on the world, exposing the secret doings tions, everything is out in the child sex abuse cases. Another dis- of government without regard to open almost as it happens, spar- closure was that the Irish govern- his own life or security, perhaps a ing no one. ment was forced to grant Vatican Don Quixote. To others, he is a When the Wikileaks disclo- officials immunity from testifying dangerous man - an anarchist, a sures first became public, few before the Judge Yvonne Murphy trouble maker who recklessly seeks of us expected the church to commission investigating the cleri- to uncover what is best left hidden. be exposed. And yet WikiLeaks cal abuse of children in Ireland. Whatever be one’s view, Julian has already told the world that Even as I write this, Indian Assange portends a tectonic shift American diplomats often rely politicians and businessmen with for all the organizations, of which on the Church’s worldwide net- secret Swiss bank accounts are the Church is one. He is in the ulti-

16 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 17 pr management

mate analysis the first journalist of the Internet Age, who is his own editor and publisher with the world In today’s world, nothing as his publishing domain. “ As the WikiLeaks website remains secret for long! (http://mirror.wikileaks.info/) says: “Global defence of sources and press freedoms. Have documents the world needs to see? We with key news organizations. No WikiLeaks has passed the mas- help you safely get the truth out.” government has been able to stop sive amount of content over to major newspapers, indicating it is“ What are the lessons for the him, even by levelling charges of Church from the Wikileaks epi- rape, theft, etc. a decentralized organization that sode? It means that the democ- There are several thousand ar- runs on a handful of laptops and ratization of information, which ticles on the Internet about Julian smartphones. began with Gutenberg’s printing Assange and WikiLeaks. One of 6.Credible Anonymity. Does press and has been gaining mo- them by Mitch Joel is headlined what we know about Julian As- mentum with the coming of satel- “Seven Lessons that WikiLeaks sange or WikiLeaks matter at all? lite TV in the ‘60s, has now taken a teaches us” (http://www.twistim- Do the pending criminal charges quantum leap forward. age.com/blog/archives/7-lessons- make its published content any less The child sex abuse story was that-Wikileaks-teaches-us/. credible? known to many within the church The lessons are simple: 7.We are not ready. The shock- and the media for at least the past 1.Transparency first. If your ing part of WikiLeaks is how those 30 years, but only as isolated erup- tendency is to hide information, who do not understand Internet tions in different places. The com- you have sleepless nights ahead! culture are reacting. It’s a new beast ing of the Internet put child abuse We now live in a more transparent, out they know nothing about. victims and groups in touch with world. All this is not necessarily a bad each other, enabled them to realize 2.You are media. Any individual thing. Imagine what would hap- that it was a global problem and can have a thought and publish pen if the full truth of the 1984 use disclosure to force the Church that thought in text, images, audio Sikh carnage in Delhi were to be to acknowledge that it was a cancer and/or video to the world almost made public by WikiLeaks. Or the that needed to be rooted out. Pope for free. demolition of the Babri Masjid or Lessons from WikiLeaks Benedict has now repeatedly con- 3.Publishing has changed. We attacks on Christians in Karnataka ceded this. may not like it, but WikiLeaks is and Orissa. The good guys have Julian Assange has shown how both a publisher of content and a nothing to fear. It is the bad ones postal mail and the Internet (snail media channel. who are running for cover! mail and email) make it possible 4.Information travels fast. Legal for one person to get information, or not. People are tweeting, shoot- have it vetted by a team of ex- ing videos and streaming informa- Allwyn Fernandes perts, and publish it on the World tion live. Crisis Communications Wide Web partner in partnership 5.Decentralization is real. Mumbai COMP Mirror and Glass nce a rich man who was “Now I see myself,” the man Overy miserly came to his replied. rabbi to ask for a special bless- The rabbi said, “Now let me ex- ing. The rabbi sat and talked with plain the meaning of my actions. him for a while and then, all of a Both the window and the mirror sudden, took the man‘s hand and are made of glass. The window brought him to the window. is a clear glass but the mirror has “Tell me what do you see?” a layer of silver on it. When you asked the rabbi. look through clear glass you can The man answered, “I see people see people, but when you cover out on the street.” it with silver, you no longer see The rabbi brought him a mirror. other people but only see your- “Now what do you see?” he asked. self.”

16 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 17 gospel in action

Guruji of Gaunaha

remote village in caste-rid- fact that I was considered a harijan come in the US people consume Aden Bihar. One evening the shocked me. But this happened to medicines to aid digestion, while high caste people invites the local Jesus in his incarnate days. He was millions go hungry in Bihar?” He ‘Guruji’ for a talk. He talks and counted as a common criminal and returned to India with a firm deter- spends time with them responding sentenced to an ignoble death on mination to pursue his dream of to their many queries. He asserts a cross. See how little inculturated educating the rural masses, seeking the need for love, respect, human I was.” the root cause of their systematic dignity and above all, justice for It was in the late seventies that oppression. Jesus, Gandhi, J.P. all. At the end of the session they Fr. Joseph Srampickal SJ settled Narain and even Marx inspired his offer him a glass of milk. As he down in Ramdihara, a village in thrust. He learned from the school returns to his village, he notices remote Sasaram of Bihar. He lived of realities that all injustices are a young tribal girl running away with the harrijans as one among man-made and God never ap- with a glass. He stops her and asks, them. He worked with them and proves them. “Where are you going?” “I came to taught them during the day. He On Sundays, he offered Mass take away the glass borrowed from shared their food, and slept in their for a couple of catholic families my home” she replies. Suddenly he chaupal (open hay stacks). They 28 kms away but it is his regu- notices that it was the glass from called him ‘guruji’. After a year the lar Morning Prayer and reading which he had drunk. “Guruji, you provincial told him, “What you do of The Economic and Political live with us. So, they didn’t want is exactly what all of us wish to Weekly that sustained him close to to give you milk in their cup” she do in order to witness to Christian his vision. He coached his students explains. Suddenly the truth flashes faith; it is a hard path to emulate”. for three years with the help of on him. The high castes did not It took him courage to go to this trained locals. They then join the want their glass polluted by offer- village were Mathew Mannappa- 7th class in government schools. ing him milk. Since he lived with rampil SJ, one of his co-novices, He worked there for seven years. low castes, they considered him a was brutally murdered. In 1984, saddened by the killing harijan as well. A Traditional Cath- Having done theology and MSc of a harijan boy by the high castes, olic, proud of his noble descent in Maths from Loyola University, he came to Patna. After 3 years in from high castes, converted by St. Chicago, he was destined to be a the Manthan social service centre, Thomas, the missionary felt ‘hurt university professor. The experi- Khagaul Patna, in 1987, he shifted and angry’. Later he commented ence of the US consumer cul- to Gunaha, a village at the Nepal to his Jesuit companions, “The ture left him questioning, “How border, where he still works with

18 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 19 Social work can be three- “ fold: relief and material development, job oriented education and empowerment of the poorest

the Taru tribals. It is here that Fr. him there are three types of social is a frequent visitor at his Gaunaha Thomas Chakkalackal was kid- service - relief work done by the“ School. “If only all missionaries napped. He was later released Church through parallel structures had the guts to take up such heroic through the intervention of a with the government - poverty initiatives,” wishes Fr. K.M. Joseph, Chief Minister. alleviation or economic survival a practising lawyer, who worked Winter or summer, he is up at 4 systems for the poor; education, with him for a short while. In fact, am, bathes in the cool, fresh water formal as well as non-formal of the 250 Jesuits in Patna prov- manually drawn from the village which helps people stand on their ince, about 20 are engaged in social well. The daily activities begin after feet but which usually leaves the awareness building to empower the an hour of silent prayer/reflec- system unchallenged, the third and poorest. Guruji is but a pioneer. tion. The breakfast consists of the most essential in India is to West Champaran, his residential self-made chappatis and lentils; Of make the poorest critically aware district, is infested with dacoits. course the same menu is followed of their situation, of the struc- Rich landlords use poor villagers to thrice a day. “The people can’t tures of oppression in the country, fight against their rival zamindars. afford that much, so I am a bit which keeps them poor forever. “Don’t these dacoits attack you?” luxurious,” he observes flashing a It is in this category that Joseph I ask. “They won’t. They know I golden tooth acquired during his Srampickal spends his energy. have no money, that I am as poor college days abroad. Sundown is He is also a trainer of ‘teachers’ as they are. Besides, I have no en- bed time, as he hardly switches on who are either school drop outs emies. Everyone is a friend here,” his tiny generator, for “that would or school final pass. Education asserts Guruji. isolate me from my people who towards awareness has led them to Averse to publicity and weary are left in dark without electricity.” realize the causes of their poverty of public appearances, he neither Considerable part of his day is and caste disparities. Such educa- contributes to journals nor lectures spent with local villagers, supervis- tion also brings in some semblance on his philosophy of uplifting the ing the many educational centres of equality in Bihar, where decades poor. “I have hardly anything new he has started in different villages. of Governmental dysfunctioning to say,” he comments like Hosea, His educational centres are called has left the rural people in abso- “what has to be done is made Jan shiksha bhawan. The branch lute destitution. known to all of us, and we just schools are called chetana vidya- “I don’t need any foreign fund need to do that.” He warns me, layas. These are not officially reg- to run my work. Bihar has a major “You don’t need to write anything istered names. These are actually project to educate the masses. about me.” I insist that he must branch schools of the jan shiksha What is important is to tap and record his memoirs. “Well I have bhawan in Gaunaha . About 100 channel this money to the right recorded enough of live stories years back in this place there were people. There is much to be done from here. After I am gone some- mission schools. So shikshabha- in rural Bihar, with a men/women one may find these useful.” vans are also nicknamed as mission literacy percentage of 45: 35” says At 70, he is still there at Gau- schools by some people. A major Guruji. naha with a newly established branch school is in Rampurwa It is a Herculean task to educate school and a hostel run by students village. the poorest and his efforts are themselves. Now he has a Jesuit “Education is basic to Christian not always understood - a tough, companion; he is conscious that mission. Jesus was a guru par ex- thankless job. “We are proud that his work is but a drop in the ocean. cellence. Even in social apostolate, one of us can do this kind of G Anoop Kumar education is vital,” he tells visiting work, after the preacher of Naza- Muzzafarpur young Jesuits. In fact, according to reth” says a Jesuit companion who COMP

18 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 19 never stop asking

Corruption

hy is corruption so rampant in through mega scams, using the als, the values cherished by society WIndia? What can we do to rid loopholes in policy making. The and the system of Governance. our country of corruption once and for corrupt nexus between big busi- Individual values influence social all? ness, politicians and bureaucrats is and political values. Moral values Ajith Kerketta, Hazaribagh growing stronger. are inculcated and nourished by Corruption is always unjust and The major causes of corruption parents, teachers and peer pressure, perpetrates injustice because it pro- in India are: 1. scarcity of goods in the initial years of a person’s life. cures undue favours to those who and services, 2. red-tape and com- However, immediate eradication have no right to have them and plicated rules, 3. lack of transpar- of corruption rests on the Gover- denies them to the deserving oth- ency in decision making, 4. legal nance. ers. It violates legal justice as well cushion for the corrupt under the Even honest people feel lost in as commutative justice. Corrupt principle that a person is innocent the context of generalized corrup- officials are induced to act against until proved guilty, and 5. tribalism tion and are often driven into brib- the contractual obligations of their among the corrupt, who protect ing. One may materially cooperate office, to be just and impartial each other. with the violation of commuta- which they owe to the community. People want to grab power to tive justice, when, one’s right is at The corrupt persons also bypass make money or grab money to stake, the urgency of the situation the government and the judiciary come to power. It is a vicious cycle requires it, or one may incur heavy for personal or monetary gains. in which the entire society is some- loss if not done. These are even more harmful to how involved. But the Christian ideal, even in society than criminals. With liber- Corruption is directly related to these cases, is to take up social alization, politicians make money the values cherished by individu- responsibility and fight evil. That

20 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 21

requires sacrifice of some immediate gains and the trouble

of going to higher authorities or judicial Court. In the fight against corruption each individual expects someone else to ‘bell the cat’ and “ there is total acquiesce. Many People want to grab power to societies have perished under the make money or grab money weight of this rot. “ Corruption has to be countered at various levels. to come to power Attempts to curb or eliminate corruption should primarily start with a conscientious fight against the system and its policies. Ensure good governance with genuine devolution of powers to the only with the help of MPs. How fight corruption. Secondly, the Su- lowest unit of government and can a Lok Sabha which has MPs preme Court through Public Inter- assignment of responsibility to all involved in criminal or corruption est Litigation [PIL], has been able levels of officers, whether elected cases legislate against corruption? to uphold citizens’ rights. In 2004, or appointed. In a situation when law breakers a Supreme Court judgment made Failure in accountability should become law makers, it is obvious it mandatory for electoral candi- be made drastic-dismissal, pen- that they would go to any extent to dates to declare the number of alty and imprisonment. Here the keep themselves safe from the long criminal cases filed against them, Prime Minister has to take greater arms of the law. their educational qualifications and responsibility. Honest citizens Scams and scandals cost India their wealth. This brought about must be given the assurance that hundreds of billions of dollars in considerable transparency in the the guilty will be punished swiftly. the past two decades. Corruption electoral system. Enough deterrents should be built seems to be the 546th member Active and vibrant societies into the system that compels min- of the Indian parliament! Almost should engage themselves in col- isters and civil servants to think 150 of our esteemed MPs have laboration with new social move- twice before lapsing. criminal records. 72 are accused ments (Citizens’ Action Groups, The government should initiate of murder and rape. So, the the Watchdog Committees etc.) to a series of no-nonsense measures election commission has a special combat the evil. to ensure the security of the na- task to curb corruption. Its power A great mystery of our democ- tion and prevent its wealth being to derecognize political parties and racy is that in spite of surmounting robbed by a few venal politicians cancel elections should be exer- wealth declared by politicians, the and bureaucrats. cised to the benefit of the public. Income Tax Department and the Create an intelligence machinery The enormous time lapse for enforcement Directorate watch si- that keeps tab on dishonesty in Governmental sanction to prose- lently. Has any head of the Central high places. The Intelligence Bu- cute officers against whom regular Board of Direct Taxes, Customs, reau (IB) does brief the PM when- case has been registered should be Excise or the enforcement Direc- ever it stumbles on sleaze. The avoided. Unearthed facts by inves- torate asked how a politician in one Central Bureau of investigation tigating agencies demand immedi- election declares his/her wealth at (CBI) has a small unit that collects ate prosecution. Rs.4 crore and in the next as Rs. 8 intelligence on dishonest public The creation of Central Vigi- crore? Only political rivalries lead servants. It needs to be expanded lance Commission [CVC] in its to such investigations. substantially and allowed to func- current form is tokenism at its Impeccable integrity is a require- tion efficiently without being tied worst. It has only nominal author- ment for every job. As of today down by external pressures. ity, making the whole organization even the appointment of judges Unlike the judiciary or the toothless. It can at best initiate an are being questioned! Election Commission, the CBI inquiry wherever corruption by a needs the prior permission of public servant is suspected, but not the government to be able to more. investigate cases against corrupt There are institutions to fight public servants who are of the corruption. The first is the judi- Dr. George Therukaattil MCBS ciary. However slow it may be, it Moral Theologian rank of joint secretary and above. Bangalore Such loopholes can be eliminated has taken a number of measures to COMP 20 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 21 faith matters

Being Christian Today

ne day while travelling in Oan overcrowded bus, I saw a young mother boarding with a Needy person is the sacrament of baby in her arms. I vacated my seat for her. After a while I got down the real presence of Jesus. Hence from the bus. As it moved, I heard when we reach out to one in need, someone calling from behind. I turned around. “Sir, are you a we reach out to Jesus himself Christian?”

22 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 23 in contact with dead blood, worse still, a corpse makes a Jew ritually unclean. He is not fit to minister in

Christians are not called to God’s temple (Num 21.11; 22.4-7). “ The Samaritans are perpetually un-

live in their ghettoes, but to clean. The Jews would not accept food or drink from them (Jn 4.9). be salt of the earth, leaven“ in In composing this parable Luke has another reason to bring in the Samaritan. He is not merely the dough polluted, but also the outsider, the non-Jew. It is for such people that he offers his version of the Good News. The Christian is expected “Yes, why do you ask that?” following of Jesus with some reli- to love not just the members of “You did what usually Christians gious ritual? May be living the faith his community, but all people, alone do.” People will remem- is more than all these. whatever be their faith, and even if ber Jesus not when they see us What then does it mean to be they profess to have no faith. The celebrating the Eucharist - that a Christian today? Let’s return to Christians are not called to live in they may not ever understand - but Jesus. their ghettoes, but to be salt of the when they see us as loving individ- While discussing the parable of earth, leaven in the dough. Their uals, loving beyond all boundaries. the Good Samaritan (Lk 10.25-37) religiosity is not to be confined to I was invited to preside over with some college students, I asked the church compound and prayer the Maundy Thursday liturgy in a them why the priest and the Levite sessions. Love, properly under- small parish. I was a total stranger ignored the poor man who was stood, has no boundaries. to them. I did my best to make the left half dead by the robbers. For The primacy of love of neigh- service as prayerful as possible. I a moment there was silence. Then bour is brought out forcefully also gave an unusually long homily. As a guy who was known to be a little in the parable of the Final Judge- we were un-vesting in the sacristy, devil put up his hand. “Yes, Peter! ment. The judge of all nations I asked the four small kids who What do you think?” He coughed a will say to the people on his right: served the Mass, their names. little, smiled and said: “Father, I am “Come, O blessed of my Father, They were Peter, John, Joseph and inclined to believe that the rea- inherit the kingdom prepared for George. Then one of them asked son why the priest and the Levite you from the foundation of the me: “Father, what’s your name?” ignored that poor man was because world; I was hungry and you gave “Subhash Anand!” He looked sur- he had already been robbed by me food, I was thirsty and you prised and asked: “Father, are you some other persons.” Jokes apart, gave me drink, I was a stranger and a Christian?” The solemn liturgy there may well be more than a you welcomed me, I was naked Being Christian and you clothed me, I was sick and and the much appreciated homily pinch of truth in this. were no indications of my being a The priest and the Levite are on you visited me, I was in prison and disciple of Jesus. That was a great their way to Jerusalem, to minister you came to me.” (Mt 25.34-36). eye-opener coming from the lips in the Temple. They did not want Among the six good acts that the of a child. to be delayed nor polluted. Coming king mentions, we do not find even Today Clearly, there is a certain anxiety one act that could be said to be among Catholics: Are we becoming irrelevant to our times? Many A Life of Faith and Love are leaving the Church to join other sects. Others just drop off. A Christian must be willing to Seeing our churches empty, we walk that extra mile to reach out to think our people are losing their Dr. Teresa Joseph fma a brother/sister faith. Are they? Does the fact that missiologist in need, in a society that is crazy a person attends Mass on Sundays for money and success. It also indicate that s/he has faith? It A Christian in today’s India means the courage to give one’s could be due to other reasons. It must be a friend and disciple of time and energy to listen to those could well be just a social ritual, Jesus. Recognize his /her call to who have no one to listen to and an occasion to meet people, to be open, loving and compassion- to proclaim boldly the power of show off new clothes or jewellery ate to one and all beyond caste, love and life. In short, live the acquired. Have we identified the creed or religion. power of the Gospel in one’s life.

22 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 23 faith matters

religious in a traditional sense. All the least of these my brethren, you giving his disciples the bread as these acts can be performed even did it to me” (40). Jesus is present- his body and wine in the cup as by a person who describes himself ing the needy person as the one his blood, Jesus says: “Do this in as an atheist. Jesus is inviting us who makes him (Jesus) really pres- remembrance of me… Do this, to a religion-less discipleship. He ent to others. The needy person is as often as you drink it, in remem- presents love of neighbour as the the sacrament of the real presence brance of me.” (1 Cor 11.24, 25) supreme law, and service of the of Jesus. Hence when we reach We find these words in Luke only needy as the supreme worship. out to one in need, we reach out to after Jesus gives the bread to his Another point that merits very Jesus himself. Even if Jesus did not disciples (21.19b). Mathew and special attention in this parable is say that, it remains true that not Mark ignore them. Many in the the response the judge gives when only the need, but every creature is Catholic Church think that by the people on his right ask him as a sacrament of God’s real pres- these words Jesus instituted the to when they found him in need ence. Were God not dwell within, ministerial priesthood. This, I am and ministered unto him: “Truly, I the person would cease to exist. afraid, has resulted in a serious say to you, as you did it to one of During the Last Supper, after calamity: the loss of the authentic meaning of those beautiful words of Jesus. What then did Jesus Evangelization in India mean? Imagine observing me caress a child. I am almost infallibly sure Rajendran Francis SJ weak faith of new Christians, and Doctoral Student, (Catechesis) fear of violent attacks from Hindu you will not ask me: “Why is your Salesianum, Rome fundamentalists, are reasons. I hand caressing the cheek of the consider the motivation to evan- child?” You may be more inter- gelize as more important than ested to know why I am doing that; Evangelization as “proclaim- the method involved. The basic or why I am caressing (and not ing Jesus Christ in order to lead requirement is to be possessed by kissing) that child; or why I am do- others to faith in him” (CCC 425), the person of Christ. If Christians ing it to that particular child (and does not click much with most have experienced Christ as Good not to anyone else). Yet what you Indian religious and priests today. news in their life, they will inevita- actually see is my hand caressing A liberal understanding of God bly communicate/proclaim him in his cheek. Yet you ask me: “Why and salvation, frustration over the spite of the obstacles (Acts. 4.20). are you caressing him?” What you

24 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 25 see is my and his body, and yet you speak of ‘you’ and ‘he’. This Political and is because our bodies are the sacrament of our person, of our real Missionary Implications presence. My body is myself, but I am more than my body. We are Dr. Santhosh Sebastian Kingdom of God. Experience embodied persons. The only way Mission theologian, Gorakhpur of Christ in faith, nourished by a you and I can interact is through sacramental life can be the energy our bodies. source without being blind to the Once I was conducting the fu- Being an “Indian Christian” human sciences, philosophy, spiri- neral rite for a two-year old child. I carries political and missionary tual heritage and social situation of had said the final prayer and made implications which can compli- the nation. The unitive, assimila- a sign to close the coffin. Before ment each other. The Constitu- tive and contemplative heart of a the men could do it, the mother tional ideals embody the gospel sanyasi (monk), the outreaching, grabbed the corpse and held it values. A Christian must be able daring hands of the good sa- tight to her bosom. We tried to to be an integral part of the maritan and the brave heart of a reason with her, but she refused democratic process and human prophet challenging the status quo to surrender it. Eventually some development. The yardstick for while conveying the hope of a new women had to use force. That such involvement is one’s com- heaven and earth should character- sorrowing mother believed that as mitment to the values of the ise the Indian Christian. long as she had the body of her child, she had her child. the Eucharist become real and tice, truth, care for others’ feelings, The insight that our body is our acquire meaning. Otherwise it care for the environment, are what person helps us to understand is an empty ritual – something make us truly Christian. When what Jesus meant when he said: Jesus would totally reject. Hence we promote these values we are “Do this in remembrance of me” when people truly love others engaged in evangelization. (Lk 21.19a). He tells us that as he they are celebrating the Eucha- had given his body, his person, to rist of Jesus. When we love oth- us, so also we ought to give our- ers we are just to them by giving selves to one another. He is not di- them their due; by being sensi- recting us to perform some ritual – tive and avoiding any behaviour Dr. Subhash Anand at least not primarily, but urging us that may hurt them. When we Professor Emeritus to live as he did: make our lives an love others we are careful about JDV, Pune. offering of love for others. Only our environment, our common when we do this, to the extent we home. When we love others we COMP do this, does our celebration of do not deceive them. Love, jus- Continued from p. 31 India, face the same problems and loquium and two women religious Church but also a listening Church. issues in proclaiming Christ in our who are theologians. The Doctri- It provided an opportunity to the pluralistic context. nal commission was sensitive to officials of the CDF to interact • Criterion used in selecting the include theologians from different with the theologians directly and representatives of the Indian parts of the country as far as pos- listen to their concerns, problems theologians? Did ITA play any sible. Except a few, all theologians and difficulties in proclaiming role in it? who participated in the colloquium Christ and his message in a mean- I do not know what criterion are members of the Indian Theo- ingful way in a pluralistic society was followed in selecting the rep- logical Association (ITA). However, like India. Earlier they had only resentatives of the Indian Theolo- the ITA did not play any role in texts from India and now they gians. The Doctrinal commission selecting the theologians for this have the context before them. For of the CBCI seemed to have colloquium. the theologians it was an oppor- proposed the names of theo- • Your overall impression about tunity to understand the difficul- logians from all three individual this colloquium? ties which the CDF encounters in churches, Latin, Syro-Malabar and This colloquium was a unique preserving the faith entrusted to Syro-Malankara and they were one in the sense that all the par- the Church. It was, indeed, a grace- directly invited by the CDF. There ticipants could experience that ful experience of seeking Truth was one lay theologian in the col- the Church is not only a teaching together. COMP

24 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 25 luminaries

yoti Sahi is India’s answer Jto Italy’s Fra Angelico. Strictly Christian themes embedded in contemporary situations, summarize Jyoti Sahi’s art. He was interested in what is termed “The art of the Pre-Raphaelites”, that is to say, the kind of icon painting found in Byzantine art, where art served a Any art in spiritual function. Born in 1944 in harmony with the Pune from a British mother and an “ Indian father, he has trodden a lone spirit of Jesus path. Not many have realized what a great artist, the church has in him. He is Christian art and his wife Jane are settled in Silvepura, Bangalore where she runs her experimen- tal school for village children. They have five children, and five grand children. Sahi discloses himself and his art to “ Companion. Indian Christian Art

• What gives a spiritual colouring and more doubtful about this concern to distinguish Church art to your art? category “Christian Art”, even from Christian art. Christian art In 1963 I completed my studies though I have been involved in does not have to be in a Church, in Arts at the Camberwell School the establishment both of the unless it belongs to the great peri- of Arts and Crafts. Then I met Asian Christian Art Association ods of art which come down from Dom Bede Griffiths at his Ashram (1979) and Indian Christian Art the past, like Byzantine, Gothic, or in Kerala. I decided to give up Association (1980). Right from the medieval art. Church art is often teaching art and worked with Grif- beginning there were questions. thought of as “traditional art”, fiths to create a group of artists (1) Is Christian art done by preventing freedom of expression, and craftspeople interested in con- Christians? Not necessarily. Many and as conventional or pious art. templative life. They would work of those who have been inspired (3) Should Christian art only be for the Church, like the old icon by the Christ figure, or themes about Christ or about Biblical fig- painters. He married Jane and me found in the Gospels, or even the ures in general? Anyone inspired in 1970 at Shantivanam Ashram. earlier books of the Bible, have by the Bible, or the Gospels in After that we came to Bangalore not been Christians. particular, may be looking at the invited by Fr. Amalorpavadas to (2) Is Christian art work that is world through a Biblical perspec- work for the National Biblical, used by the Church? Much of the tive. Here art concerned with hu- Catechetical and Liturgical Centre. art which is being used to decorate man suffering, injustice, and also This centre had been established Churches, one would feel is hardly the longing for a new heaven and in 1968 to implement some of art. It is church furniture, you a new earth, can be understood the ideas of the Second Vatican could say. It has very little value as expressing a fundamentally Council on inculturation. as far as art is concerned. Often Christian vision of reality. In other • What exactly is Indian Christian people who go to Church do not words, art that is inspired by Gos- art? Do ordinary people under- appreciate works which have real pel values, which tries to extend stand it? value as art, or even find them the Kingdom of God on earth, is Actually, I am becoming more offensive. So there has been a essentially art that we might term

26 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 27 luminaries

Christian. But that does not mean • Perhaps it could have an inter- Pune, was to make art available for that it is owned by Christians. It is religious dimension? Christians who might like to use often outside the Church institu- Yes. When we started a Christian this art in their homes, or as cards, tions. It has been called, perhaps art forum, we had hoped that this or for personal meditation. In this more appropriately, Prophetic art, art would be a way of dialogue way they could deepen and enrich or Spiritual art. It is art which can with people of all Faiths. It would their personal Faith. Christian art be used in prayer, as a way of find- also perhaps influence or help could be defined in this way: It is ing the meaning that underlies the Christians to be more open to art, art which could deepen and enrich gospel of Jesus. This art could be and the creative vision of artists. the Faith of Christian followers, also speaking to other people of By calling this art “Christian” our to shed a new light and interpre- Faith, and so may even be thought intention was not to put artists or tation on the Gospels, and the of as Buddhist art or Hindu or art into some kind of a box, but Bible in general; it could help in Muslim art. All art that has a deep rather to educate Christians in the making the Christian Faith more truth and such expressions that importance of the creative imagi- understandable and approachable come from the heart of the artist nation. True, the attempt to bring for people who are not Christians; that is in harmony with the spirit this art into Churches has not been help Christians to be more open to of Jesus could be called Christian. very successful. But initiatives like the cultural and spiritual value of But it is questionable whether such “Art India” started by a Jesuit in images and symbols belonging to a label helps us in any way.

26 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 27 others, who are not Christians. One has also to recog- • Weren’t art - stained glass nize that what is being windows, statues, architec- presented through this ture, music- part of Christian world of the imagina- worship for illiterates, com- tion is actually beyond municating faith powerfully? the imagination. If we Well, there are various rea- read the Prophets, like sons for people to not under- say the Book of Isaiah, stand the Bible or the values do we understand of the Gospel. Being able to what we are reading? read is not necessarily going If we read the book to help people understand the of Job, do we really Bible better. I often wonder understand what is what people understand when being presented there? it comes to reading the Bible Early Fathers of the or the Gospels. Just being Church like Cyril of able to understand the words Alexandria spoke of (and even these are often not the “Seeds of the understood by the average Word”. These seeds church goers) does not make have to grow in us. We the Biblical Word of God do not understand at “understandable” to every- once - the process of body. Art, or the Image, is the understanding may Word. Here the Word is not take a life time. We are only the written word, but the striving to understand, Word that brought all things and that is important. Mary Scaria into being. The original term There is a mistaken Logos included the Image. view of art that the The effort to understand the artists understand what Word is what we mean by in- is being created, but terpretation. Every generation, has expressed an inner every believer has to struggle vision in such a com- to interpret the Word of God plicated or difficult for today, for our present real- way , that the image ity. That is what artists, poets, has become a kind of theologians, and so forth are visual cipher, which it all doing. The writings of is now very difficult to Carl Rahner, or of Thomas interpret, or “deci- Aquinas, or any theologian pher”. The artist is or Biblical exegete, are not not trying to be obtuse going to be easily understood or difficult to under- by many Christians. We are all stand on purpose. struggling to understand the The artist often does Word of God. not understand what • Is art not understood? is being expressed The fact is that like the- through his or her own ology, much of art is also imagination. We are not understood. But that just channels of a kind is nothing against art. The of energy, and mean- problem is that true art is not ing that comes from just illustration - it is not a beyond us. That is why kind of comic strip for those art is a prophecy. It who cannot read, or are too is something that the lazy to read. Art, like a poem, artist is also trying to needs thought and meditation, comprehend. and requires that each person makes an effort to understand. (to continue…) COMP

28 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 29 new books INSPIRING BOOKS Christianity, Hindutva,Conversion:FAQs Dominic Emmanuel SVD “What gives Christians the right to be in India”? Who is an antinational? What is the difference between Hinduism and Hindutva? Are tribals Hindus? Why is wine consumed during Holy Mass?” These are familiar questions heard in India and the answers are either not clear or misinterpreted. This book attempts to provide useful clues to those who find it difficult to answer questions such as these and to the allegations made by rightwing Hindu Fundamentalists about ‘conversions’ and ‘missionary work’ in India. A ‘must have’ title for all those who want to have an insight into Christian- ity and understand the rationale behind Christian missionary work in India. Muslims are attacked on the allegation of terrorism and Christians for ‘forced conversions. The truth is being masqueraded while evil forces act against the very values our great Nation professes and against the Constitution that promises, liberty, equality, security and peace to all. Right information and knowledge can equip us all to stay away from many blunders and help all, especially we ISPCK: 2011, Rs. 125, Christians live with dignity and peace in this great land of ours. For copies : 011-23866322/23 MINORITY RIGHTS Mary Scaria The promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability of the States where they live. The constant promotion and real- ization of their rights is an integral part of the development of society within a democratic framework based on the rule of law. It would also contribute to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation among people and States. The book “Minority Rights Under Scrutiny Again” is a commendable effort by Advocate Mary Scaria to enable the public to understand and appreciate the content and the scope of the minority rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India. It will be of particular interest to those connected with or engaged in educating. The author substantiates her views with references to judicial pronouncements. A very informative and useful book for all. Media House, Delhi, Rs. 220 For copies: 0120-4232685

SARVODAYA Dr.PAUL VELLARACKAL A book that attempts to link between Sarvodaya, a social ideology and the Kingdom of God, a spiritual ideal. Gandhiji’s vision of Sarvodaya through Basic Human Communities could be a new way of being the Church in India, asserts Dr. Paul Vellarackal in this researched title. Gandhiji had advised Christians: ‘live more like Jesus’, ‘practice religion without adulterating or toning it down’, ‘make love the working force’, ‘study non-Christian religions more sympathetically’. This book will help the reader to grasp the Indian culture and ethos a bit more. It is a revelation that the seeds of the Kingdom are beautifully embedded in the Sarvodaya philosophy. In twelve chapters the author delves into the Kingdom values and how it should be practised in our lives as Indian Christians. A good learning in the present atmosphere of religious rivalries.

OIRSI: 2010, Rs. 170, For copies : 0481-2571355 COMP

28 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 29 cross currents

Seeking Truth Together

Dr Jacob Parappally, MSFS, President, Indian Theological As- sociation, shares his impressions of the first ever Colloquium of Representatives from the Holy See, CBCI, and Indian Theologians

• The context and purpose of Louis Ladaria SJ and other officials on the same side facing today’s this Colloquium? made it a point to conduct it in questions of faith and the mis- The Congregation for the India. The decision is a pointer sion of communicating the person Doctrine of Faith(CDF) took to Vatican’s attitudinal change and message of Jesus Christ. The the initiative to organize a col- concerning theologizing in general. demands of proclamation in India loquium in India involving the Right or wrong, a familiar dictum are diverse. The country has rich bishops and theologians of three in the past was “Outside Europe, religious, cultural and philosophical individual sui juris Churches. This no theology”! The CDF now traditions. Her world-view is dif- is in line with the responsibility seems to recognize the fact that ferent from the Christian world- of the CDF to promote catholic serious theological reflections are view. The bishops and theologians doctrine, to foster studies that taking place in India and elsewhere shared freely and openly with the deepen faith, and to respond in the world. This colloquium CDF officials their concernsFr. Lievens in to new contextual questions in titled “Searching Truth together”, proclaiming the Gospel in a coun- the light of faith. It is custom- discussed the theological issues try like India with its rich religious, ary for the CDF to organize arising from the pluralistic context cultural and philosophical tradi- symposia or scientific meetings of India. tions having a world-view differ- on problems that have doctrinal • The main outcome of the col- ent from the Christian world-view. relevance. Such initiatives intend loquium? For the officials of the CDF the to diffuse sound doctrine as well The colloquium provided a colloquium offered the possibil- as to defend those points of graceful opportunity to listen ity of listening to the struggles Christian tradition and the Mag- to one another with openness, of theologians and the bishops isterium which are put at risk by respect, cordiality and concern for to articulate the Christian faith in unacceptable modern doctrines. the mission of the Church. As Car- a meaningful way in the Indian This colloquium is a historical dinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai context. For the theologians it gave event since the Prefect of the emphasized, the officials of the an opportunity to understand the CDF, Cardinal William Levada, CDF, the bishops and the theolo- concerns of the CDF in preserving with the Secretary, Archbishop gians of India felt that they were and defending the true faith of the

30 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 31 Church. the presentations and the discus- ness of Christ in the context of • Main challenges of faith procla- sions they might have understood dialogue with other religions? Are mation to Indian theologians? the complexity of the Indian they affected by ‘the tyranny of The Christian dogmas and doc- context. But I seriously doubt relativism’ as the Westerns are by trines use a language or category whether they have fully grasped postmodernism? Are they clear of thought alien to the Indian the difficulties in communicating about the purpose of dialogue thought and world view. When in the Christian faith and doctrines with other religions? Do they sup- the Christian world-view time is in another worldview with an- port indiscriminate inculturation linear in the Indian world-view it other philosophical categories of in liturgy, and those Eastern ways is cyclic; for the Christian world- thought different from those of and techniques of meditations as view history is important, for the the Greeks. The time propagated in the West? These are Indian world view trans-history is was too short concerns for which the CDF had more important. For a Christian as well. Again, been seeking explanations from the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as their back- ground some of the Indian theologians, in the absolute and only mediator be- does not facilitate the past. Listening to the bishops tween God and humans is a non- an easy com- and theologians directly might have negotiable faith-affirmation. For prehension of the allayed some of their fears con- the Indian world-view no single complex prob- cerning these issues. Earlier they historical person can be absolute, lems had some texts from Indian theo- but one among many. The under- logians before them to analyze and lying epistemological principle in make their judgments but now, I articulating almost all the Christian am sure, that they haveA some ex- doctrines, is the principle of con- periences of the context in which tradiction. If A is true B is false which the Indian theologians theologians and those committed (either/ or). But it is the principle encounter in the theologizing to the mission of Proclamation, of identity or relationality (A and process. Used to the criteria ap- make their theological reflections. B or not only A but also B, could plied to judge the correctness of • Any plan for a followup to this be the expressions of Truth) that theological formulations in the Colloquium? underlies the Indian understanding western categories of thought, Such a plan has not been an- of God, humans and the world. In the CDF officials seem to to find nounced yet. The bishops and this context any meaningful proc- it difficult to do the same in the theologians in India have been reg- lamation of the Christian doctrine Indian context. However, they ularly holding annual colloquiums is not possible unless it is made to were at least willing to listen to for more than a decade, to discuss incarnate in the Indian world-view the difficulties faced by the Indian issues of doctrine and faith. This probably using the correct advaitic theologians. Including competent would definitely continue. intuition. When such incarnation persons from India and other • The role of the CBCI in the of the doctrine takes place in parts of the world where the Colloquium? the Indian context it would not Church is growing and active in Bishop Thomas Dabre of Pune, only make it meaningful in the her mission, may resolve this situ- the chairperson of the CBCI’s Indian context but also it would ation to some extent. Doctrinal Commission and its sec- deepen the catholic understanding • The fears and concerns of the retary Dominic Veliath SDB made of the richness of the doctrine CDF regarding the method and adequate preparations for this col- because the truth of God’s revela- manner of doing theology by loquium. In fact, last year’s Indian tion receives a new category of Indian theologians? theological colloquium was in thought to express it. The Indian Although the CDF may have view of the present colloquium theologians can contribute much many fears and concerns regard- with the CDF. The newly elected in this area by letting the Christian ing this, they did not express chairperson, bishop Joseph Kal- doctrines dialogue with the Indian any of them in the colloquium. larangatt of Palai and the officials world-view and its categories of In fact, the paper presented by of St. John’s National Academy thought. Archbishop Ladaria, the secretary of Health Sciences also helped, • Did the CDF really understand of the CDF, expressed the need with good effect. I think, the CBCI these challenges and difficulties for ‘humble audacity or boldness’ succeeded in communicating to faced by Indian Theologians? in articulating faith in a meaning- the CDF, that though we belong to The officials of the CDF were ful way and the need to avoid three individual churches in India, apparently impressed by the mere ‘repetition of dogmas and we, as one Catholic Church in competence and commitment doctrines’. Are Indian theolo- of the Indian theologians. From gians watering down the unique- Continued on p. 25

30 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 31 pastoral communications

people, listening to their struggles, faith crises, etc, he will be able to ‘tune’ his homilies meaningfully and inspire the people. Such homilies can lead them to review their lives in the light of the Gospel. People seek inspiration and strength to live their Christian life in faith and love. They seek the priet’s help to understand the implications of the Word for them. So, the Word of God has to be contextualized for them to understand God’s ways in their lives. There is no fixed content or style for a homily. The content of the homily must inspire, energize, and set the audience to introspect for a sincere living of one’s faith. From a simple communication perspec- tive, it varies as do the audience. A theology professor used to help in parishes for Sunday mass. Once, he was invited to a remote parish, comprising mostly of farmers. When it was time for mass just two of the parishioners had come in. He asked one of them, Homily “Do you think I must deliver a homily for the two of you?” “Well Father,” he said, “when I approach Communication my cattle-shed with food, even if there are only two, I don’t leave Homily is an art. It requires talent, them hungry”. The priest was happy. He delivered the entire homily insight, training and practice he had prepared. After mass, he exchanged the customary greet- young priest was assigned strange ideas!” muttered the Vicar. ings with the two of them. “How A to a parish as assistant vicar. In homilies what is most did you like my homily?” he asked. The next day of his arrival was a important is relevant communica- “Father, when I go to feed my Sunday. The Vicar asked him to tion. Knowing the audience is very cattle, I don’t feed two cows with preach the homily for the day. He important in breaking the Word to the feed of forty!” was the reply. was reluctant and said, “I don’t them. ‘I have to say something’ and Being sensitive to the audience and know anything about this people ‘I have something to say’ makes the their needs is necessary not only and hence I would not make any fine difference in a homily. with regard to the content but also sense to them.” “What do you The Sunday homily is a precious in the delivery. mean you don’t know anything, opportunity for the priest to com- There are many journals and you have been studying theol- municate with the faithful. Who Websites dedicated to homily ogy all these years and can’t say can ever get an ‘all-ears’ audience notes. Some of these are done by a few words about the prodigal as in a church? exegetic experts who may also have the capacity to think creatively son?” the parish priest was literally The content irked. “Well, I can say something and apply the gospel passages to A wise man said, “If you are current realities. These can serve about the prodigal son, but I can’t invisible on weekdays, you would give specific messages needed in a good purpose. However, even be incomprehensible on Sundays.” these are to be meaningfully adapt- this parish. I need to know them If the Vicar is friendly with the more,” he replied. “New men with ed to the needs of each audience.

32 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 33

the end. These are a few examples of creative, participatory and com-

municative ‘breaking’ of the Word. A homily Take care Never talk down to the people “ with an “I am perfect” tone. Shar- is all about making ing one’s struggle to be faithful to the Lord can be equally inspiring to “the word of god relevant to the people. A homily is never to be used to abuse or criticize persons. this people here and now Some priests deliver homilies as if the effect is created through their sound rather than the power of the Word! Sound management is very important in communication. But shouting, use of rhetoric, engag- Story telling ing in controversies or flow in and There was a time when story-tell- bytes. So, if the homily is too long out of stylised accents are all to ing had become an accepted style and boring, people will naturally be avoided. A college professor among many preachers to capture ‘switch off ’. told a charismatic preacher, “Your the interest of the listeners. But In mission areas, often, the time sermon was most soothing and often the stories chosen were ir- for homily also serves for cateche- moving: some slept, others walked relevant, out of context, laboured sis. People are willing even to listen away.” and not easily related to the central for an hour. That is a different message. Such stories tend to be case. Let me leave you with a a distraction rather than help. I Another important fact to be story feel the narration of personal kept in mind is that people hate A man once wrote a letter to the experiences related to the central lengthy sermons, full of reproach- editor of a local newspaper. “I had theme of the readings may appeal es, blamings or repetitions. That been a regular church-goer for the more. These experiences can come slowly tempts them to keep off past twenty years. In the meantime from the priest’s rapport with the from the church or be ‘outstanding I have listened to a minimum of parishioners or other people. Some Christians’ until the homily gets at least thousand sermons. Except preachers are experts in this area. over! Once a preacher with a band for an illustration here and there, Life experiences even from one’s aid on his chin said, “I cut my I now cannot remember any of own parish can be used, with- chin this morning. While shaving them. What then is the use of out ever revealing the identity of I was thinking about my sermon”. preaching? Won’t it be better for the persons involved. These are A voice from the congregation priests to engage in more profit- more appealing than imaginary or added: “Next time while you shave, able tasks?” miracle oriented stories. why not think about your chin, and Next Sunday the Pastor referred cut the sermon?” to this letter, and asked his parish- The duration ioners to write to him their opinion A homily is not a lecture. It is Creativity on the issue. Of the several letters part of worship and its purpose Once, I saw the priest inviting he received, one particular re- is to renew the people by draw- the assembly to contribute to the sponse caught his attention. ing them to Jesus. Ideally it should reflection by sharing something “I’ve been married for twenty never exceed 15 minutes. This that struck them from the readings. years,” wrote the respondent, again is not a norm. Some audi- I have also seen very successful “During the past years I have eaten ences may need just a five minute homilies where the preacher asks well over 15,000 meals, prepared homily. “A homily”, says a master interesting but relevant questions by my wife. I cannot really recall orator, “must be a like a young to the assembly on the readings the menu of a single meal. Yet I girl’s skirt, short enough to attract and through their responses builds received nourishment from every attention and long enough to up a beautiful homily experience. one of them...” cover the essentials.” The main Those people will hardly forget criterion is to hold the attention that experience. I have also seen Jacob Srampickal S.J. of the congregation with interest. the gospel reading dramatized, by Professor, Communica- In these days of constant channel- the Parish youth, in 5-6 minutes, tions, Pont. Gregorian swapping, people’s attention span followed by a sharing session. The University, Rome is limited to eye-ball capturing priest summarises and concludes at COMP

32 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 33 creative catechesis

DOOT, started on 11 Jan 1911, is the second Gujarati magazine to complete hundred years. Future of Regional A postal stamp was released on 17 Jan 2011 to Catholic Press mark its centenary.

n the context of DOOT, the our State, the degradation of our Christian woman from Pakistan IGujarati catholic magazine, environment because of mega was doomed to be executed be- celebrating 100 years Cedric projects and even on behalf of cause of an alleged blasphemous Prakash reflects on the role of those who are alienated because act. The whole world reacted to the regional catholic press in faith of rising fundamentalism. In order this news. Online petitions were formation to do so, one would necessarily signed. Governments across We live in: have to speak out against powerful the world put pressure on the and vested interests, perhaps the Pakistani President to pardon her. A world where faith can- corporate sector, the mining/quar- So in this highly globalised world, not be limited to piety rying lobby and even the Govern- At the core of the DOOT is the problems, the concerns of ment. The world of tomorrow will the fact that it is a local Guja- one people have necessarily to be perhaps have no room for compla- rati Catholic magazine meant to the concerns of all. Thus, will cency. catechize, to deepen the faith of DOOT have the breadth and the Catholics. Faith in many respects A real fast world depth to take on global concerns is challenged today. It can no More and more people across tomorrow to all Gujeratis? longer be relegated to pious acts the globe are hooked to the net. A world of innovations or to just doing what you are told. The mobile phone has changed If the ‘DOOT of tomorrow How could we inform/educate the way we think and act and so has to create an impact in the our faithful on issues related to many more people are texting minds of Gujeratis towards some genetics or surrogate mother- and twittering. If we do a reality kind of a spiritual revolution, hood or the youth or the abuse of check, we would realize that most then we should innovate. We children by the clergy or the Pope magazines/journals have also have need to look at all possible pa- saying a limited use of the con- an online edition. This however, rameters; the physical get-up, the dom is permissible? Can we create needs to be updated constantly. layout, the quality of printing, the the necessary space for theological Electronic bulletins and even blogs photos or the illustrations we us, insights, for healthy debates and can further the horizon of com- the content, the type of writers even for dissenting views? municating DOOT news to Catho- who send in their articles, the lic Gujaratis around the world. length of the articles, the type of A world which has insti- We are not merely talking about response we get from the readers. tutionalized injustice and uploading DOOT but on keep- For this we would need to look corruption ing a sizeable section of people Jesus took sides. The DOOT of at and study some of the more informed of happenings in/of the tomorrow needs to take sides on successful weekly’s and monthly’s Church of Gujarat and of related behalf of the poor, the marginal- both in India and abroad. events. ized, the victims of injustice. We Cedric Prakash SJ need to be concerned about the A highly globalised world COMP displaced and migrant people of A couple of days ago, a young

34 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 35 national news T P 5 Top Five

Sixty-one day Youth Journey 3 Kanyakumari The 61-day journey “Jago Yuva Bharat” (awaken young India) flagged off on 12th January. “The campaign intends to mobilize youth and to conscientise them on national and international issues”, said Fr. Al- wyn M. J. D’Souza, Executive Secretary of the CBCI Commission for Youth. This is inspired by the United Nations’ International Year of Youth which runs from Aug. 12, 2010 to Aug. 11, 2011. The thirty one young people from across the country, started off from Kan- yakumari and will reach Delhi, covering 4,000 villages. Anticonstitutional Court Verdict They will perform awareness programmes through songs, dance and street plays in about 150 institutions. Delhi 1On 21 January, a bench of India’s Supreme Court Religious Women to ‘Walk the Talk’ upheld the life-imprisonment of Dara Singh, for killing Graham Staines and his two young sons in Janu- 4Kochi ary 1999. “It is undisputed that there is no justifica- The triennial plenary assembly of Women religious tion for interfering in someone’s belief by way of ‘use held at Kochi, Kerala (8-11th Jan) decided to collab- of force’, provocation, conversion, and incitement orate with “positive forces” in order to create a new or upon a flawed premise that one religion is better India of hope, compassion and truth”. They proposed than the other,” observed Justices P. Sathasivam and “contrast communities”- places of love, justice and B. S. Chauhan. The killing was ``to teach a lesson`` truth. This requires “authentic spirituality after the ex- to the missionary, they added. The All India Chris- ample of Jesus.” The 448 major superiors, represent- tian Council and Civil Society leaders immediately ing more than 100,000 women religious, highlighted rose against these wordings. The Supreme Court the urgency of contemplation, communion and com- next day modified the version, making it less offen- mitment, to counteract consumerist values. They also sive, but in no way is it less dangerous. This judge- proposed inter-congregational collaboration in mission, ment is anti constitutional. Article 25 of the Con- to negate death culture, human rights violations, and the stitution of India provides religious freedom to all culture of silence. Grievance cells to be established in all 13 regions of the CRI, would deal with gender issues Bible in Braille 2 Tamil Nadu March Against Corruption Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Salvatore 5 Delhi Pennacchio has released the first Tamil Bible in Thousands of people took to streets in Delhi to de- Braille system. “It consists of the New Testament mand effective anti-corruption law. J M Lyngdoh, Swami and the Psalms and took 4 years to complete,” said Agnivesh, Kiran Bedi, Anna Hazare, Prashant Bhushan, the Sacred Heart of Jesus brother Leveil, Direc- Rev. Vincent M Concessao, and others marched from tor of the school. The Congregation based in Pa- Ramlila Grounds to Jantar Mantar on 30th January, the layamkottai, Tamil Nadu, run an aided school for day of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, at 1 pm. They the blind in Susainagar, since 1980. The school demanded the enactment of a law to set up an effec- has students from all over India attending LKG to tive and independent anti-corruption body called Lok- 12th class, with normal syllabus. Visually impaired pal at the Centre and Lokayukta in each state. These Children from any part of India can get admit- must initiate independent investigations and prosecu- ted here. Three brothers and twenty three staff tion against any officer or politician.Within two years, attend to the 110 resident students. The Institute the corrupt should go to jail. A nation wide move- owns a Braille press established by Br. Leveil in ment called “India Against Corruption” has also been 2000, who also supervised the Braille Bible project launched to persuade the Government to enact this Bill. COMP

34 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 35 This Fortnight

Veteran Teacher Vs the Upstart February being the press month ‘Companion’ reflects on the Church’s approch to media bishop from Eastern Eu- you cannot see and cannot under- with media. World Communi- A rope was on a visit to New stand - comes with difficulty to a cations Day (since Vatican II), York. Eastern Europeans who generation which has depended, as celebrated on every Ascension decried American capitalistic ways perhaps no generations before, on Sunday has rendered more focus to rarely visited the US. So journalists its senses”. Church’s media engagements. seized this opportunity and made As early as 1921, Pope Pius Once a young US priest student it an event. Towards the end of the XI announced February as Press of theology in Rome, asked me, spot interview at the airport, there month. The other media hadn’t “You teach communications? That came a rather naughty question: yet made their impact. The pope, is a secular subject! And that too, “While in New York, will you be quite conscious of the develop- in Gregorian?” The traditional visiting the red streets in the city?” ments in print media was keen that Catholic mind is tempted to as- The bishop was rather annoyed. Christians do something about sociate communications with the He shot back, “Are there red the press. It was only natural that images of media, technology, vio- streets in New York?” Next morn- later he wrote Vigilanti cura (1936), lence, manipulation, pornography, ing a newspaper carried the head- the first official document on etc. There are persons, even among line, ‘Are there red streets in New communications. He advocated theologians and Church leaders, York?’ inquires visiting prelate. much caution and care in letting who believe that communication Church has yet to learn to match a fledgling medium like film into and media are secular subjects. As the smart ways of media to bend Christian lives. Today, amidst a a result, Communications hardly and twist ‘stories’. plethora of media, the most valid get the deserved place and serious Imagine a veteran school teacher and relevant question should be, commitment even form priests and explaining various scientific theo- “Can the Church be really at home religious who are supposed to lead ries, being confronted with a slew with Communications (the practice and guide the people. The trend of of sharp questions from a teenage of communication with media)?” extreme moralism focusing on the upstart. Probably this image suits In spite of the founding of the negative effects of media, thwarted the Church and media. Theologian Pontifical Commission for Social to a great extent, the entire good William Kuhns has tried to point Communications in 1971, and its they could do. It was like ‘throwing out this fact: “The very concept numerous documents, Church has the baby out with the bath water’. of faith - to believe in that which yet to find a way to live effectively There is a wise dictum heard

36 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 37

spread the Christian message and “ the Church’s authentic teaching. It Church tends to answer questions is also necessary to integrate that message into the “new culture” which have not been asked, ignore ques- created by modern communications that have been asked, and answer tions. This is a complex issue, “ since the “new culture” originates in a language that is not understood not just from whatever content is eventually expressed, but from the very fact that there exist new among communication philoso- of communications with a clear ways of communicating, with new phers: “the more the media, the vision and understanding of its languages, new techniques and a less the communication.” This relevance and significance. The new psychology.” is no joke because often in the ‘we-know-it-all’ attitude of some in Pope Paul VI had said that “the medley of many media, real mes- the hierarchical Church is con- split between the Gospel and sages may fail to emerge. However, trary to the media style. ‘We tell culture is undoubtedly the trag- communications is something you what to do and you follow edy of our times,” (RM 62) and very different: it is part of human it’ style is detrimental to commu- the field of communications fully existence, and is inevitable to the nity building. In fact, this can be confirms this judgment (RM37c). Church that is concerned with categorized as anti-communication. The Church apparently fails to humans. Communio et Progressio (1971) ‘connect’ with today’s generation. The basic purpose of communi- says, “It is not enough to have a It is most urgent that the Church cation is to further mutual under- public spokesman. There must be develops the ability to inculturate standing among persons leading to a continual two-way flow of news the Gospel to the new cultures, unity, harmony and communion. and information. This two-way constantly shaped and reshaped by The Church is commissioned to flow aims to present a true image the influx of media. create communities of love after of the Church making her vis- The general trend of Church the vision of Jesus. This is enough ible to all. On the other hand, this communications is that it tends to to convince a Christian on the exchange reveals to the ecclesias- answer questions which have not importance of communications to tical authorities the surges, cur- been asked, ignore questions that the Church. The Church cannot be rents and ideas that stir the world. have been asked, and answer in a true to her mission without proper Clearly, this calls for the cultiva- language that is not understood, communication. God is commu- tion of friendly relations based in places where nobody is listen- nication within the Trinity and the on mutual reverence between the ing, avoiding the marketplaces best communication of self is the Church, people and groups. In this where people are sure to listen. incarnation. In fact, Church asserts way continual exchanges can be Still worse, by the time the Church that Jesus is the “perfect commu- fostered, with each side giving and finds the answers to the questions nicator” (CP). Paul VI advised to receiving” (CP 175). The Church asked, the questions may have strive for “a civilization of love”. is habituated with a hierarchical already changed. If she does not do so, she will style (top-down). A change to a The Church repeatedly exhorts be betraying her Master. A subtle communicating style is a Herculean the secular media to abide by moral problem with negative impact is task. This is the reason why most standards. Media usually frown that many Church personnel who Church media tend to be moralistic at and ignore these voices. In her take interest in media and technol- or closed texts. own media productions she has ogies do not have a clear under- Second, the Church praxis of yet to devise ways to merge ethics standing of the ‘what’ and ‘why’ using media-- often she fails to with entertainment. She is either of communications in the Church. realize what it means to deal with too dogmatic in her approach that As a result, lots of finances are a generation growing up in a medi- the secular media tend to avoid invested in technological pursuits tated culture. Redemptoris Missio her, or too childish that deserves while people are not communi- powerfully voices this concern; no serious attention. The pope cated to. Here, an instrumental “Involvement in the mass media is often urges media that they must concept of using media takes the not meant merely to strengthen the reflect the Christian vision, foster upper hand. preaching of the Gospel. There is genuine dialogue between different The Church has two major chal- a deeper reality involved here: since elements in society and be arenas lenges to face in her involvement the very evangelization of modern of confrontation and loyal debate. with communications: culture depends to a great extent They should rise above scepticism First, the conceptual sphere – on the influence of media, it is and relativism. Indeed a tough the need to engage in the practice not enough to use media simply to schedule for media. COMP

36 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 37 media scan

CREATION Darwin’s Personal Struggles his is a movie that re-creates separated for all eternity. as also when Annie is punished Tthe drama of the personal Darwin is a more compli- cruelly for defending her father’s conflicts and religious skepticism cated individual. He loves his wife theory against the wishes of the in the life of English naturalist, deeply, but has also has a history Church. Charles Darwin. The film depicts of mental illness and instability, Bettany’s performance as Darwin him (Paul Bettany)in a picturesque and a predilection for spurious is outstanding, as also is Connelly’s English village, with his loving wife forms of therapy, including water performance as his wife. Bet- and children. Death strikes Annie therapy, which he thinks will cure tany captures Darwin’s emotional (Martha West), his beloved 10-year his stricken child, but makes her conflicts with great poignancy. old daughter, at the same time as worse. Annie’s death convinces Jeremy Northam provides very he is creatively grappling with the Darwin that there can be no able support as Reverend Innes, writing of his book, “On the Ori- divine intervention. The relation- who becomes alienated as friend gin of the Species”, on his famous ship between Emma and Charles of the family by Darwin’s concept theory of evolution. His internal becomes estranged. Emma blames of secular creation. The film is struggle is whether to publish the Charles for her death, and her- about the love between a deeply book, or not. It reflects the conflict self for letting Annie go. Darwin conflicted couple and a ghost story between the love of his deeply makes a pilgrimage to the place where father and daughter commu- religious wife, Emma (Jennifer where Annie dies. The emotional nicate after her death through his Connelly), and his own conviction journey eventually enables him to hallucinations. that God has no place in the world. reconcile with Emma, and they Above all, it is a humanly told The movie has been released fall in love again. It is Emma who story of the rise of ideas against in 2009, on the 200th anniversary finally decides to publish the book; the personal and societal pressures of Darwin’s birth, and the 150th she accepts what she knows her of the time. Partly biographical, year of the publication of his husband really wants to do. For her and partly fictional, it is a gentle book. Significantly, the title of the and Darwin, religious belief (or film about personal struggle. movie does not refer to the biblical absence of it), becomes secondary Those who believe in bibli- account of creation, but to the to their marriage. The movie ar- cal creation (and there are many creation of Darwin’s book. The gues that despite Emma’s dislike of religious people who do not) are movie is torn between the story of his work and Charles’s disdain for not likely to be offended by the the ideas of a genius, whose theory religion, it is their love that matters, movie, nor in any other way. This changed the course of scientific and Darwin succeeds in making is a quality movie, well directed, thinking, and a more modest Emma an accomplice to his work. well acted, and creatively told. The tale of an author with a writer’s There are some powerful mo- closing titles to the film tell us that emotional block. Ultimately, it is a ments in the movie. The final Darwin, the profound skeptic, was film about the struggle of writ- scene where Annie walks alongside buried with full Christian honours ing. Emma fundamentally opposes her father with the image of the in Westminster Abbey. Darwin’s ideas. She worries she postman and his book fading in Peter W Sheehan may go to heaven without him, the distance is deeply affecting, COMP

38 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 39 foot prints

Mexico Islamabad a devout Catholic and a tireless Bp Samuel Ruiz Garcia Mr Mehboob Francis Sada crusader for justice. He was project “He ventured in difficult circum- stances with a positive thought. This made him very famous among minorities,” said Bishop Rufin Anthony of Islamabad-Rawalpindi at the funeral of Mr. Mehboob Francis Sada. Sada, 63 was a much appreciated human rights advocate and a poet. So, his death came as a great blow Retired Bishop Samuel Ruiz to Pakistan Christian community. Garcia, known as the champion He joined the highly-respected manager of ABS-CBN’s collabora- of the poor and indigenous in Christian Study Center in Rawal- tion with Mayor Edward Hagedorn southern Mexico, died Jan. 24. He pindi, in 1986. He was promoted in developing ecotourism destina- was 86. as its Director in 2001. He worked tions for Puerto Princesa City, one “Don Samuel arrived in a hard on interfaith dialogue, human of which had won an international Chiapas plagued by injustices and rights and promotion of demo- recognition a year ago. abuses. He saw with his own eyes Manipur the backs of indigenous men marked by the whips of planta- Fr John Med tion owners. He also knew female As “a committed religious and indigenous subjected to ‘law of the missionary his death has left a first night,’ in which the bosses great vacuum among the Catho- take the virginity of young women lics in the two states of Manipur in their employ” said Bishop Raul and Nagaland,” said Archbishop Vera, Ruiz’s coadjutor. Dominic Lumon of Imphal . A However, Samuel’s remarks Czech Salesian missioner, Rev. against the powerful landlord class Med served the Church in India were construed by some, including for more than three quarters of a cratic values. His services were century. The zealous missionary some at the Vatican, as originating recognized not only by the Chris- in Marxist class theory, rather than visited his homeland only once tian community, but also Muslims, during his 76 years of stay in India. the Gospel. Hindus and Sikh’s admired him for Samuel Ruiz Garcia was born An educator par excellence, he his courage and devotion. had opened several educational in- Nov. 3, 1924, in Irapuato, Mexico. Philippines He was ordained a priest in 1949 stitutions in various parts of India. after studies at the Pontifical Dr Gerry Ortega Gregorian University in Rome. Gerry Ortega, a Catholic radio He served as a seminary rector in journalist and human rights activist Leon, Mexico, and was consecrat- was shot dead on Monday, 24 Janu- ed a bishop in 1960. ary, in the city of Puerto Princesa, The bishop headed the Diocese in the centre of the Philippines of San Cristobal de Las Casas archipelago. from 1960 to 2000, and from 1994 “He was holding on to so many to 1998 mediated a commission documents and damning evidence looking for an end to the conflict that would expose graft and cor- between the Mexican government ruption in the government. There and the indigenous Zapatista Na- were only a few people and friends tional Liberation Army. we could trust to give those docu- He considered education the secret For his work with the state’s ments to if something happened of development. He was ordained indigenous population he received to him.” said a weeping relative of a priest in 1943 when his entire death threats and, in 2002, was Gerry. Ortega was involved in a family was imprisoned by the Nazi the recipient of the Niwano Peace campaign to protect the indigenous government.As the Povincial of Prize for his work “raising the communities on the island. A hard- the S.Province, in 1964 he started social standing of the indigenous hitting broadcaster, he was also a Kristu Jyoti College- the Salesian passionate environmental advocate, theologate, in Bangalore. communities of Mexico.” COMP

38 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 39 LOGOS

Feb 20, 7th Sunday of the Year fender. So each time you encoun- criterion to inherit the Kingdom. ter malevolence, consider it as an The invitation is to pursue a more Mt 5:38-48 invitation from God to you, his generous righteousness (new dhar- Context and Theme child, an invitation to be a nobler ma) in order to possess the Kingdom The surest way to the Kingdom, person, a better person, a person of Heaven (5:20). Jesus explains it was thought, would be obedience after the heart of God, your father. how to practise this new dharma to God’s commandments. But Je- 2.Jesus invites you to go a step with regard to the three traditional sus insists on something ‘more’. ahead. You shall not only refrain religious activities - almsgiving, He demands that the righteousness from retaliation, but also love your prayer and fasting (6:1-18). Further- of his disciples must go far beyond enemies (5:44). This of course is more, he advocates single minded that of the scribes and the Phari- against your natural inclination to trust in God as father (6:24-34), sees (5:20). This new righteous- hate them. The simple fact is that the basis for the new righteousness. ness (new dharma) is explained in when you hate someone, your Message 5: 21-48 in relation to six human heart turns bitter, your life mean, 1.Jesus is convinced that no one realities. Today’s gospel explains the and you become unhappy. When can serve both God and money demands of the new righteousness you love even your enemies, the (6:24). Either you serve God or you in relation to retaliation and love. contrary happens. As a result, serve mammon. It is imperative Message you live with a light and peaceful that you pose yourself the question heart, full of the joy that God gives 1.Encounter with evil and evil “who is my master?” You can detect you. That is how, according to Je- doing is a recurring experience of the ‘master’ of your life by recogniz- sus, you become a child of God. our life and we are often left baf- ing the one who holds the reigns of 3.Your Heavenly Father makes fled by them. Jesus has given us a your life, controls your life choices. his sun rise on the evil and on the very unique lesson on handling evil. Jesus invites you to make God the good, and sends rain on the just He asks not to resist the one who master of your life. If you leave to and the unjust (5:45). Jesus places is evil (5:38). If someone strikes God the hold on your life, at every the divine model before you along you, do not strike him back; rather moment, he indeed is your master. with this challenge. You have only offer him your other cheek as well 2.Jesus prescribes a logical strat- to emulate that model. In your daily (5:39). When you strike back, you egy to ward off all your worries. life, do you supply ‘water’ and ‘nour- are lowering yourself to the level Often you get short-circuited wor- ishment’ to the people around you, of the evil one. On the other hand, rying about food and clothing, for- to those given to your care and pro- your generosity and goodness to getting that your body, your life, tection irrespective of their merits the evil-doer, renders you much are much greater gifts. What you and your preferences? Are you able ‘taller’ and nobler than the of- actually need is a shift in the fo- to provide them with the necessi- cus of your attention. Start count- ties and even niceties of life in spite ing the blessings God has put into of their personal idiosyncrasies? your life. Then you will also come to your senses to understand that Feb 27th, 8th Sunday of the Year he who gave you the greatest gift – Mt 6: 24-34 life, will necessarily and unfailingly Context and Theme provide your smaller gifts like food Sermon on the Mount traces the and clothing. Ultimately, the secret Kingdom Manifesto A simple, unique exegeti- cal journey through the Sunday Gospels

40 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 41 of your happiness is to keep alive in would be zero, if you do not opt three distinct assertions about the you the memory of his gifts on you. for the will of the Father. On the nature of his Sonship (4:4, 7, 10). Such constant and grateful remem- other hand, if you seek the will of your heavenly Father, even your Message brance of God’s gifts will gradually 1.The context of the three temp- lead you to the habit of trusting him mundane activities may turn out to be meritorious for the Kingdom. tations is especially significant. The for every other need of your life. first is placed at the climax of his 3.Jesus could not be more logical 2.Jesus’ challenging demand to his disciples is to abide by the will hunger; the second occurs when when he asks, “By being anxious Jesus is on the top of the Temple; will you be able to add a cubit to of the Father (7:21). The way he handles his own temptations is an the third occurs on a high mountain your span of life?” (6:27). The an- from where he sees the worldly king- swer of course is a definite “no”. assertion that the true Son of God is the one who does the will of his doms and their glory. That means On the contrary, worry and the re- temptation can grip you while you sultant stress can cause you hyper Father (4:4-7). Those who do not do the will of the Father will not be are in want. You can also fall into it tension and its corollaries, even while you feel yourself at the pin- endangering your life. So, being recognized by Jesus in heaven (7:23). It implies that those who do the will nacle of spirituality, even holiness. anxious and worried about your life Riches and glamours of the world and its happenings is a futile, and of the Father will reflect His image and likeness. And that will help the also can tempt you. Poverty/misery, yet harmful choice. Jesus is furnish- material riches, or even holiness can ing you with the greatest tip to rise Son to recognize them as his brothers and sisters, co-heirs to the King- be conducive to a tempting atmo- above your worries – live in the sphere. So you should be on your awareness, “Your heavenly Father dom. As a child of God your fundamental duty is to seek and live the guard. Complacency and idleness knows all your needs” (6:32). Let may let you fall into the trap of the this awareness, “God is my loving will of the Father. When you do this day after day, the image and likeness evil one. You should never think Father and he will look after all that you are beyond temptation my needs”, become a habit in you. of the Father will be etched on you. 3.Jesus wishes that his disciples and fall. The moment you think so, Mar 6, 9th Sunday of the Year build their lives on strong founda- you are sure to be in deep trouble. 2.In answer to the first tempta- Mt 7: 21-27 tions (7:24). He invites you today to strengthen the foundations of tion, Jesus establishes that the Son Context and Theme your life as a precaution to with- of God is the one who lives by the Today’s gospel is the concluding stand the thunderstorms and floods Word of God (4:4). You too, to be part of the Sermon on the Mount which may crush your life. Your a child of God, must get nourished (5:1-7:29). The whole Sermon on solid Christian foundation must by the Word of God. That will the Mount illustrates the unique stand on the Word of God and the form in you the habit of looking path assigned to all who desire to will of God. When you are able to for the will of God in all the as- have God as their father and to cling to God’s will day after day, pects of your life. Then you can be belong to his Kingdom. It con- you can unfailingly lean on him in sure that you are a person sustained cludes by elucidating the criterion the moments of conflicts, struggles by the Word of God. Make God’s for entry into the Kingdom (7:21), and uncertainties. Your rewarding word the nourishment for your viz., one’s own actions (7:23). One conviction should be, “God is the life and He will see you through who does the will of the heav- hard rock that can withstand any every temptation successfully. enly Father will inherit the King- thunderstorm or flood”. This con- 3. It is the Holy Spirit who leads Je- dom (7:21). Jesus compares him/ fidence can set your foot on firm sus into the wilderness to be tempt- her to the wise man who builds ground even while the going is hard. ed by the devil (4:1). It is equally his house upon rock (7:24-27). true in your life as well. Nothing Message Mar 13, First Sunday of Lent happens to you without the knowledge of God. Even in the worst of 1. “We have prophesized, cast out Mt 4: 1-14 Context and Theme your temptations, don’t think you demons, and performed miracles in are left alone. God is there in the Jesus’ name” (7:22), claim the as- Mt 1:1-4:11 constitutes the first moments of your deepest trouble. pirants to the Kingdom. However section of the gospel of Mathew It is this awareness of the divine wonderful such achievements be and today’s gospel comes towards presence that will help you to prevail these may not facilitate their claim the end of it (4:1-11). Jesus’ fast- over all enticements and evil traps. for the Kingdom, if they have not ing for forty days and the subse- sought and lived the will of the quent temptations are the main heavenly Father. So the decisive themes here. However, the prime Dr. Jacob Naluparayil MCBS factor is your adherence to the will theme running through this read- of the Father. All your religious ing is the divine Sonship of Je- activities and spiritual experiences sus. The three temptations are but COMP

40 Smart Companion India February 2011 Smart Companion India February 2011 41 final cut

Secularism of Justice Somasekhara!!! The Dharna held on 18 Feb. by 18 bishops from different churches of Karnataka demanded a CBI enquiry on attacks agianst Christians

here is no basis to the 800 recorded evidences to come movements which work towards “Tapprehension of Chris- out with the report. An annex to countering the fascist and fun- tian Petitioners that the politicians, it carries details about 56 church damentalist forces. Bishops and BJP, mainstream Sangh Parivar and attacks and mentions one after an- clergy must speak in one voice on State Govt., directly or indirectly, other the perpetrators of violence. issues and prepare the laity to face are involved in the attacks. No real Yet the Commission does not such crises. Hindus are behind the church at- specify the real culprits behind the 5. The call to be a prophetic tacks”, states Justice Somasekhara, chain of attacks. presence is all the more urgent giving a clean chit to the Hindu The Karnataka Church rejected today for Christians in India. An- outfits and the BJP Government! the report as a bundle of lies. So nouncing the good news today He implies Christians guilty did the Governor, the opposition demands denouncing what is of forced conversions when he parties and the progressive people wrong. For too long, most of recommends the Government to of the State. us have allowed the happenings act. “Government may enquire and At this juncture what could around us ‘to run its course’. Like withdraw the privileges to every be the response of the Christian ostriches, we tend to bury our person who is indulging or getting Community to counteract such heads in the sand, try to sweep a converted in such illegal activities negativity? problem underneath the carpet and of conversion commercially.” 1. Expound clearly and make hope it just goes away. This will Worse still, he goes to the public the stand of the Church never happen! extent of justifying the police towards conversions. The Church The Hindutva agenda fostered atrocities against Christians. “The never accepts or promotes ‘forced’ with great ‘missionary zeal’ by the police action against the Christian or induced conversions. BJP and all its outfits are to gain protesters in several incidents was 2. Aim at conviviality (live and let even from the propaganda that justified”. live) with people of other religions. will follow this report. What is at Jstice B.K.Somasekhara, the one Shedding our superiority complex stake is pluralism, secularism and man Commission, constituted can foster friendly rapports. the multilayered identity of every to look into attack against Chrsi- 3. Work in solidarity with all peo- Indian. We must muster enough tians in Karnataka, in September ples for the common good – the courage to get up, light our lamps 2008 and ever since. A former uplift of the poor and the develop- and accompany the people of our Judge with Karnataka and Andhra ment of the underprivileged. This country to live in the Constitution- Pradesh High Courts, he needed is the essence of Christian witness al guarantees of Justice, Liberty, 28 months, Rupees three crores, as well. Equality and Fraternity. 300 sittings and examination of 4. Forge alliances and support son of man COMP

42 Smart Companion India February 2011 The Dharna held on 18 Feb. by 18 bishops from different churches of Karnataka demanded a CBI enquiry on attacks agianst Christians

A C February 2011 / Smart Companion India RNI No KER M6 17349/10 (R-DY)

Printed, Published and Edited by Jacob Chacko, owned by Jacob Chacko. Published from Kalpaka Bungalow, Perumanoor P O, Kochi 682 015. Eranakulam Dt. and Printed at Mangalam Press, Kottayam. Editor: Jacob Chacko