COMPANION - Jan-2011

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

SMART

INDIA

Gender in the Church
Church in Chotanagpur
‘Watchdog’ at Vatican
Priests: Time for soul searching
India: World power?

Women Religious
QUO VADIS ?
Smart Companion India | July 2010 1

2 Smart Companion India | July 2010

Editorial

Religious life: Quo Vadis?
L iving in Rome, I am often struck by huge Generalate houses now
devoid of members and used as rental apartments for tourists. These
testify that any Congregation that cannot read the signs of the times and
adapt accordingly will certainly die out. In fact, when a congregation has
nothing challenging to offer, it has no right to exist. Talking to various
Superior Generals/Provincials, I realize that conforming to the ‘status quo’
seems to be still the norm of the day.
Congregations with a definite charism, working in certain areas must be
challenged to respond to the new needs of the times but formators tend to
conform to the irrelevant needs of the establishment. Naturally they can-
not attract new members, nor respond to the demands of society and the
Church today. In survival pangs, some Congregations search for an alterna-
tive base in developing countries like Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Each Congregation needs to re-interpret its charism and make it alive
and relevant to the changing situations. In Europe and the US, health and
education have been taken over by the government. The areas unaddressed
are that of religion, spirituality and value education. These are acute areas
due to growing secularization. Ignoring these areas, several congregations
migrate to developing countries, ascribing a strong social and pro-poor
dimension as a reason for their existence.
It is heartening to see, India has Congregations that are responding to
the Spirit identifying themselves more with the marginalized and the de-
prived of society. However, even these tend to be at home with relief and
remedial measures than addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality
and dehumanization. Attempts to collaborate and get the Government to
act, are minimal since Congregations prefer the style of “Private Limited
Companies”.
As long as the Government fails to better the lives of the marginalized,
our services may be viable. What if one day we are no more needed in
these areas, when welfare systems as in Europe, may take over!
Be it the secularized, Godless, developed world or the developing world,
there is tremendous erosion of genuine values, as seen all over, especially
in the third world enmeshed in dishonesty, bribery and all sorts of corrup-
tion.
Are religious congregations concerned about this situation? Do they feel
challenged to be living testimonies of selflessness, sincerity, generosity,
simplicity, forbearance, honesty, love and respect for all religions? No one
can teach non-violence while giving in to violence even towards children.
No one can preach sincerity while being ‘walking lies’. And it all hits at the
basic need of a formation that promotes selflessness, maturity and genuine
search for God. Witnessing through one’s own life is everything today.
As Companion’s home city hosts the annual meet of the CRI Women’s
wing anddiscusses the theme “Our Consecrated Life - Our Mission”
Companion wishes a fruitful dialogue and meaningful future to religious
women in India – almost one lakh of them!!!

Dr. Jacob Srampickal SJ
Smart Companion India January 2011 3 3
Smart Companion India | July 2010

COMPANION

PATRONS
SMART

INDIA

Vol.1 No. 5 January 2011
Managing Editor Dr. George Therukattil
Chief Editor Dr. Jacob Naluparayil
Executive Editor Sr. Leela Jose
Cardinal Cardinal
Sub Editors Sr. Sheela FS Telesphore Toppo Oswald Gracias
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 Vaniyapurakal
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)
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However readers are advised to consult prior to acting on it. The views
Religious Women
expressed by writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the QUO VADISfizz
Spirituality is the
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4 Smart Companion India January 2011

focus - 2
18

India: Emerging World Power?

focus - 1 Quo Vadis? Do they synergise their Respect for other 3 26
Women Religious-
12 focus - religions is the
resources to choose and tread God-directed paths? acid test for genuine faith
CONTENTS

leader moulds faith matters
8 l Watch Dog at Vatican 16 l Faith Active
New laws at Vatican to check its A Christian perspective on the deadly
finanacial transactions. use of pesticides like Endosulfan
22 l Gender in the Church 24 l Never Stop Asking
An area where we have yet to ‘walk A Moral Theologian responds to Pope’s
the talk’ with greater sensibilities. comment on condoms
32 l E-Ministry 34 l We Are the Church
Novel ways of being with and in the Story of the Chotanagpur Christian
Church community
40 l Logos
news & views A simple and unique exegetic journey
10 l Top Ten through the Sunday Gospels.
Glimpses of top Christian news from
around the world. interview
33 l Top Five 9 l Ten Questions
Important news from the National Archbishop Lucas Sirkar of Calcutta
Christian scenario takes the ten questions
42 l Final Cut 30 l Luminaries
Priests are challenged now more Dr. Albert Nambiaparambil shares his
than ever. It is a time for soul search- experiences in dialogue with other
ing and dedication religions.

media regulars
37 l Film: “Of Gods and Men” 3 l Editorial
39 l Books/Music Album 6 l Readers’ Voices
38 l Website: SAR News 36 l Foot Prints
Smart Companion India January 2011 5

READERS
rEadErS’ VoiCES

COMPANION
W
National Fortnightly for Christian Leadership

e thank our readers for the encouraging response to
January 2011 Vol.1 No.5 ` 15

Companion. 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
us with your ‘voices’ and suggestions. Thanks
IN THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN

VATICAN SLAMS NOBEL FOR ART

Editor
FUNERALS WITH OUT COFFINS

CHURCH & PSYCHOLOGY

Growing Pains
of GenNext
Spirituality is the fizz Smart Companion India | July 2010 1

Theology made easy Great work indeed Living faith
You know what I like about Thanks for Companion. It re- Living Faith is indeed a
Companion? It makes profound ally is worth reading. I perceive it lively column. Last time I enjoyed
theological concepts easy to un- as a professional Catholic maga- Chhotebhai’s version and now
derstand for the common man. zine which is very readable. Francis Lobo’s. Their experiences
A great example of how media Sreeja David SND touched me. Thanks to Com-
can make theology understood Patna. panion that brings such down to
what most journals and authori- A treasure for the earth material to help Christian
ties in the church fail to do. Keep Church living.
up the great work. I was excited to see a Catholic Anslem Britto
Dr. Bernardo Suate, magazine that is up to the times. Kolkata
SIGNIS, Rome The editorials set the tone - this A companion always
Just excellent magazine will improve the knowl- I found companion very useful;
Excellent content, refreshingly edge of the readers and empower the content very good. Yes it is
beautiful layout.That is the way them to make informed decision really a companion for us when
to go. shaped by the faith culture of we travel and especially when we
Christopher Joseph the Catholic religion. It was remi- are down. It generates optimism.
UCAN, Delhi niscent of Gaudium et Spes of Sr.Jolly,
I want to promote it Vatican II. Companion reviews Kroot Niwas, Assam
Thanks for sending me the the past, examines the present Colourful and nourishing
electronic copy of Companion. I in detail and summarizes what Thanks for “Companion”. It
have forwarded it to many others present knowledge tells about the does nourish from page to page.
too. It is a worthwhile magazine future. Keep up the good work you and
in content as well as in layout. I Ralph Coelho your companions are doing.
really appreciate it and want to Bangalore K. Jose SVD
promote it.
Jose Palakeel MST
IMPACT, Kochi Youth power
Foreign journal? Liked the comments, observa-
The article on Xmas had lots tions, and suggestions of Allwyn
of useful relevant information; Fernandes on our approach to-
and artistically presented as well. wards youth. Surprisingly in our
Its look is that of a foreign mag- church circles there is lot of talk
azine on our home stand. And about resourcing youth power,
thanks for keeping it affordable but hardly ever we do anything
so that lay persons like me can concrete, except organize camps
pick up one without hesitation. for them. It is too late that we entine does make a point when
Hope it keeps up the quality. cater to the real needs of our he stresses the right spirituality
Veronica Alva, younger generation and channel- for the youth.
Mangalore ize their energies for the benefit Shaila SRA
of our fellow beings. Chris Val- Benares


S’ V oICES
rEadErS’ VoiCES

Naxalites
The analysis of Fr. Lakra on Funerals without coffins local churches to bring it to the
the Naxalite issue was an eye ‘Funerals without coffins’, National audience. Change has to
opener. A lot of terrorist upris- I feel is a brilliant idea for the start somewhere by someone.
ings are symptoms of justice Indian church. It is also one way Angela Pereira
denied to marginalized groups. that the Church can incultur- Vasai.
The marginalized, when totally ate its ways. I think all dioceses
helpless and cornered give in to can emulate this model and do
clandestine warfare, to achieve yeomen service to people who
their goals. It is sad that our have no money to go through
country after many years of inde- expensive funerals. Companion
pendence and having the best of needs to be congratulated for
Constitutions, still lag far behind picking up new initiatives by
in meting out justice to its people.
How can we forget the French met a parish priest who actualizes said, more conveyed”. Well done!
Revolution? It is history that man a PPC this way. Many do not have Fr. Mathew Alapattumedayil
learns nothing from history. one, and those who do have, take Kottayam

G. Anoop Kumar
the total control. And yet, it is the Excellent work
Muzzafarpur
teaching of Vatican Council. So I went through the entire
Inspiring life how can the Church really grow “COMPANION”. I congratulate
I was very excited to see my old in India? We have a long way to you. It is excellent work.
professor, Peter Lourdes speaking go yet! +Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J.
to Companion. No one who has George Bastian Jamshadpur
encountered him can forget the Mumbai Quality is here
compassion and wit he communi- Attractive, rich Companion is improving in
cates. He was one who knew too Companion is attractive and quality and content with every
well the follies of human nature ‘simply’ rich. It gives a pleasurable issue. The December issue of
and with a blatant nonjudgmental reading even while talking about Companion was a bonanza for
attitude he could help those in vitally important matters. Things the readers. It touched on matters
trouble. May his tribe increase in can be improved still but I can which mean a lot to us and relates
the Church! Thanks to Compan- understand the struggle of the to our lives. Poetry of existence
ion for bringing him back to my Editorial team and their determi- by Francis Lobo inspired me and
memory. nation to do something beautiful gave boost to my faith in God.
for the Church in India. I wish Christmas inputs such as Silent
Ancy Fernandes
Pune
their efforts find support. Night, St.Nikolas were interest-
Informative Dr. Cajetan D’Mello ing. I felt Growing Pains-Gen
Companion is informative, Pune next, the article of the hour. The
educational and interesting. I wish Editorial: story write up on Lourdes was interest-
that it reaches many more hands I have gone through the De- ing too. The fillers - True Peace,
soon. To deserve a good maga- cember issue of Companion, the and ‘Success don’t happen in
zine like this, we have to promote whole of it in one go. Impressive, isolation’ carry really good social
it as well. It is a great respon- to say the least. And the Christ- messages. I wish Companion a
sibility for you and your board mas message: Paradox of the great success in India
members to keep up the standard “more” in the “less” - you can’t Allen R. Johannes,
and uniqueness of Companion be more succinct than that. “Less Bihar
and also publish it regularly. COMP
Fr. Sebastian Ettolil Send your Letters to: companionindia@yahoo.com
U.S.A
Long way to go SMArT COMPANION INDIA
The description of an ideal Kalpaka Bungalow, Perumanoor P.O.
parish pastoral council made hair Thevara Jn. Kochi Kerala - 680 215, India.
stand up! In fact I have not yet Call & SMS 094476 79783/ 0484 2664733

VatiCan trEndS

Watchdog at
pastoral significance.”
Traditionally the various departments
have been largely autonomous in their
financial dealings, with a rather loose
coordination provided by the office of
Vatican the Apostolic Patrimony of the Holy
See (APSA). By pledging cooperation
with international monitoring agen-
cies, the new “moltu Proprio” mark
a break with the Vatican’s traditional
reluctance to open up its internal fi-
nancial operations to outside scrutiny.
The Vatican City, a 108-acre sover-
eign state surrounded by Rome, aims
to comply with the rules of the Fi-
nancial Action Task Force (FATF),
a Paris-based body that lists nations
failing to comply with standards on
money laundering and terrorism fi-
nancing. By adapting the norms, in-
cluding that of establishing a Financial
Information Authority (FIA) along
the lines of those in other countries,
the Vatican commits to comply with
FATF standards and liaise with the
group and law enforcement agencies.
The new laws will take effect by April
1, after the new FIA is set up and its
members chosen, the Vatican said.
In part, the law is designed to imple-
ment an agreement between the Vati-
can and the European Commission on
fighting money-laundering, signed in
December 2009. It establishes crimi-
nal penalties for violation of financial
norms, including four to twelve years
in prison and fines of almost $20,000.
In addition to creating new penal-
ties for financial misconduct, Benedict
XVI has also criminalized environ-

P ope Benedict XVI has created ties seized €23 million in mental pollution. In article 18, the
a new in-house watchdog called funds from the IOR as new law establishes a penalty of up to
the “Authority of Financial Informa- part of money-launder- six months imprisonment and a fine
tion”, with the power to supervise all ing investigation. Italian of $3,500 to $35,000 for anyone who
Vatican transactions, including those courts have rejected the pollutes soil or water. The jail term
of the Vatican Bank and Propaganda Vatican’s bids to free those rises to a year, and the fines range
Fide (Congregation for the Evangeliza- funds, authorizing the in- from $7,000 to $70,000, if the pollu-
tion of Peoples). Vatican’s new rules, vestigation to continue. tion occurs with hazardous substances.
set forth in a motu proprio, released on The Vatican spokesper- Benedict’s environmental teach-
December 30, come at the end of a son, Jesuit Fr. Federico ing and activism, including the in-
year marked by complaints that the Lombardi, today descri stallation of solar panels both at
Vatican bank, the Institute for Reli- bed the new laws as “a the Vatican’s audience hall and his
gious Works (IOR), had been involved step towards transpar- private home in Regensburg, Ger-
in questionable money transfers. In ency and credibility” with many, have already earned the pon-
September, Italian banking authori- “far-reaching moral and tiff the nickname the “Green Pope.”
COMP

10 Questions
ShEphErd’S VoiCE

Born in Borisal in the undivided Bengal on 24 September, 193; ordained a Salesian priest
(SDB) on 20 April 1968; appointed Bishop of Krishnagar In 1984;, and Coadjutor Arch-
bishop of Calcutta on 14, April, 2000. He took charge of the Archdiocese of Calcutta as its
eighth Archbishop on April 2, 2002. Rev. Lucas Sirkar takes the questions.

The unique features of the ture, the state being paralyzed
Church in Bengal? by strikes, agitations and rallies.
The Church in Bengal follows Church’s response to Abp. Lucas Sirkar
two distinctive traditions: one of movements like Nandi- Muslims, in order to win the sup-
the bhakti tradition as initiated by gram, Singur and Lalgarh? port of the group; but those who
spiritual gurus like Chaitanya, Sri The governmental manner remained Catholics are looked af-
Ramkrishna, Swami Vivekananda, of tackling people’s uprising ter, even politically, with their rep-
Brahmabandhab Upadhyaya, and was not effective or realistic. resentative in the State Assembly.
Animananda, the other, mission- Our approach is one of love;
ary expansion under Padroado the Communist way is of force. Mother Teresa effect on Chris-
with the patronage of the British They neglected the interests of tians/religious?
empire in India. Brahmabandhab the people they were serving for Mother Teresa is an inspiration
who had great influence on Swami the past 34 years. The Church for all – priests, religious, common
Vivekananda and Rabindranath is for the poor, and stands by people; Her spirituality is of reli-
Tagore, had attempted to estab- them for their just causes. gious origin. She had never thought
lish a truly Indian Church on the of starting a congregation, but had
Approach to immigrants to do it for the service she under-
basis of rich Indian traditions. from Bihar, Bangladesh? took. She touched the lives of
Contributions of Bengal History has it that persons the people irrespective of religion.
Christianity to the nation? from the priestly castes of
The greatest was the translation other states were brought to The motivation behind found-
and publication of the Bible in var- help in the religious rituals of ing two diocesan religious
ious Indian languages, undertaken congregations?
rural Bengal. We still find them
by Serampore College, under the During one of the Jubilees of the
in many villages. The Christian
leadership of William Carey and diocese of Krishnagar, some girls
missionaries established locali-
his companions. Since then more came forward to offer their lives and
ties of people of the same lan-
translations of the Bible came to services to the Church. This and
guage or culture, for example,
be undertaken, enriching the lan- the needs of the local church mo-
Stella Maris parish in Kolkata.
guage and the literature of the tivated me to found two new Con-
The missionaries also brought
regions. A movement towards Eu- gregations -Adoration Sisters of
people from other areas, and
charistic devotion was given a lot the Heart of Mary and Adoration
helped them settle in their mis-
of importance in the early Bengala Brothers of the S.Heart of Jesus.
sions; those who came newly
Church, which later rippled on to could easily insert in the local- Image of priests?
the wider Church. The traditional ity of their own kind. The mis- They are appreciated for their
belief of Bengalis - matri bhakti sionaries also catered to their social commitment as well and are
(devotion to the mother figure) spiritual and pastoral needs. respected.
and guru bhakti (devotion to the So, there is a systematic way of What is your dream for the
master) influenced Christian wor- reaching out to the immigrants. Church in West Bengal?
ship of Jesus, the Guru and de- Integration of Anglo-Indi- I wish to see the people of the
votion to Mary, Mother of God. ans in Indian culture? state self-sufficient and self-reliant.
Communist government’s at- The Anglo-Indians of Portu- This is possible only through coop-
titude to the Church? guese and English origins, had erative societies, where people take
As far as the religion is concerned, difficulty integrating into the active part to save, circulate and trade
we have no problem. Even when Indian culture. Many of them with prospective clients. The mon-
we had minor problems they were migrated to Canada, Australia ey that is collected from the people
quick to tackle them. Instead, we or to England. The remnants should not be deposited in banks.
are disillusioned in the area of did not want to join the na- Instead, loan the money directly
education. Due to the high-hand- tives. So, the locals began to to people. This is a viable dream
edness of Communists, the state look at them as if they were for Bengal and for the country.
developed a very poor work cul- aliens. Some of them married Interviewed by : Julian S. Das
COMP

intErnational nEwS

1 2 3 4
An Egyptian christian mourns in front of a blood

1 4
stained Jesus painting. Source: AFT
Mourning Christmas Jesus Youth Jubilee
Egypt Kochi
Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for
A church explosion in Alexandria, Egypt, killed
the Evangelization of Peoples, urged Jesus Youth (JY)
21 Coptic Christians, in the early hours of 2011.
to witness Christ “with our sweat, with our word and, if
In Shubra, some 500 Muslims, Coptic activists,
God wills, with our blood.” He was launching their Sil-
and civil society leaders led a protest to show soli-
ver Jubilee Convention at Kakkanad, Kochi. More than
darity with the Coptic minority and to denounce
20,000 JY members from 29 countries attended the five-
the deadly assault. Marchers shouted slogans like
day program. He urged the participants to become “liv-
“We want Egypt to be a secular state”. They car-
ried banners showing the crescent along with the dinal Camillo Ruini, President of the foundation’s sci-
cross, a historical symbol of unity between Egyp- entific committee. The award is in view of promot-
tian Muslims and Copts. The neighbourhood of ing research and study of the thought of Ratzinger.
Shubra is one of few suburbs in the capital where It will also organize scientific congresses and award
large communities of Christians live alongside scholars who are outstanding for their theological re-
Muslims. Copts account for 10% of the country’s search. Monsignor Scotti, president of the founda-
population of 82 million. Jan. 7 (Coptic Christmas) tion, said that experts of theology must have “the hu-
will be a mourning day without any celebrations. mility to listen to the answers that the Christian faith

2
gives us. In this way humanity is also helped to live.”

5
NCR Person of the year
Religious Education valued
USA
The National Catholic Reporter announced England
Sr. Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity, Presi- New research among young people in London
dent and CEO of the Catholic Health Associa- indicates that Religious Education (RE) is a valued
tion (CHA) in US, as the ‘NCR Person of the year subject that leaves a lasting impression on those who
2010’. In a video message delivered to the CHA study it. This timely research comes as the govern-
convention in June, President Obama had praised ment sets out its Schools White Paper, calling for a
Keehan: “Your work, your passion, your commit- return to traditional humanities-based subjects. The
ment, helped make the difference and you did so in study was commissioned by the RE Council of Eng-
a way that protects your long-standing beliefs and land and Wales (REC). It involved 1,000 young people
the beliefs of so many others across the country.” aged between 16 and 24 years. 80 percent of respon-
In the spring of 201, Keehan led CHA to endorse dents suggest RE for better understanding among
the legislation on health care and helped pass it religions. 83 per cent of those who had studied RE at
through Congress. This put health care coverage GCSE shared the same view. There was notable sup-
within the reach of an additional 32 million Ameri- port for this sentiment from all religions, including
cans. The CHA also supported St. Joseph’s Hos- 77 per cent of those who called themselves atheists.

6
pital facing the verdict of Bishop Olmsted. “She
was one American Catholic who showed extraor- Leaders Join to Defend Marriage
dinary leadership and courage in 2010”, said NCR. Wahington DC

3 Nobel Prize for Theology Religious leaders from Anglican, Baptist, Catho-
lic, Evangelical, Jewish, Lutheran, Mormon, Ortho-
Vatican dox, Pentecostal and Sikh communities in the United
The new “Vatican Foundation: Joseph Ratz- States united to publicise a letter affirming their com-
inger - Benedict XVI” intends to create a Nobel mitment to protect marriage. In the open letter, they
Prize for Theology. This was announced by Car- underlined marriage as “the permanent and faithful

5 6 7 8 9 T P
10
business. “The pontiff sounded more like a western
politician than a religious leader,” said the Global
ing” witnesses to Christ in the modern world. The Times, the English version of the People’s Daily.
jubilee began with music by Rex Band, the JY’s music Since the 1949 revolution, China has refused to al-
ministry. The crowd sang and danced with the band low Catholics to recognise the authority of the pope.
that fuses Indian ethnic rhythms and Western music. The Vatican estimates about eight million Chinese

9
Several bishops, 757 priests, 918 nuns, 113 seminarians Catholics worship secretly in underground churches.
and 3,160 families were also present. The conference Help Abused Domestic Workers
concluded with a vigil on New Year’s night. The youth
proclaimed with one voice, “Jesus is our superhero.” England
Special sessions were held for teens and children. The Domestic Abuse Working Group (DAWG) of
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and
union of one man and one woman.” The publica- Wales have begun a new website with a range of
tion of this letter on “The Protection of Marriage: resources to help the Catholic Church to grow in
A Shared Commitment” is timely as a federal court awareness of issues surrounding domestic abuse
of appeals in San Francisco has begun hearing ar- (http://www.cedar.uk.net/). The aim of CEDAR
guments on the ‘Proposition 8 case’ known as (Catholics Experiencing Domestic Abuse, Resources)
the California Marriage Protection Act. It was ap- is to create an environment within the Catholic com-
proved by a majority of voters in that state in 2008. munity to understand and recognise domestic abuse

7
as unacceptable. The site also provides appropriate
First Catholic Woman Priest responses. Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, Da-
vid McGough said: “Domestic abuse is possibly the
Latin America most widespread, yet most hidden form of abuse
On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron in society today. I know from experience as a parish
Saint of Latin America (12 Dec. 2010) the first Latin priest that the Catholic Community is no exception”.

10
American woman was ordained a Catholic priest,
opening a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Anti-blasphemy Act
Church there. It reminded of Pope John XXIII’s say- Islamabad
ing in ‘Pacem in Terris’ (1963), “Women are gaining
“Citizens for Democracy” in Karachi is ahead with
an increasing awareness of their natural dignity…the
a national campaign, demanding amendment of the
rights and duties which belong to them as human
controversial blasphemy law. They have expressed
persons” (41). The ordination took place in the cata-
full support to the amendment bill submitted by
combs as a reminder to sinful structures of gender
the Parliamentarian Sherry Rehman, on 26 Dec. On
discrimination and to represent small Christian com-
Christmas day Pakistan Christians marched against
munities, where ‘bread’ is broken today. Although
the anti blasphemy laws. However, Islamic religious
made valid through the laying on of hands in apos-
groups are on agitation for stabilistaion of the law.
tolic succession, it violates the Canon Law that stipu-
It started after President Zardari announced pardon
lates ordination only for baptized males (can 1024).
to Asia Bibi, the woman condemned for death for

8
(NCR News)
blasphemy. Muslim neighbours, her co-workers in
Pope Warned by Chinese Paper the field, had abused her as “untouchable” Christian
Beijing, China woman for using the common glass provided to the
Pope Benedict XVI, in his Christmas message, workers to drink water. Later she was implicated with
criticised China in his, for limiting freedom of re- blaspheming the Prophet. In a sad development, Pak
ligion. No official response has come from the Punjab Governor Salman Taseer,66, was shot dead
communist government on this. However, a state by his security guard for supporting Christians. He
newspaper came out with a strongly worded edito- had become the target of Islamic fundamentalists in
rial warning the Vatican to stop meddling in Beijing’s recent weeks after he took a bold stand on the law.
COMP
Smart Companion India | January 2011 11
Smart Companion India July 2010 11

foCuS national

Women Religious
New Challenges, New Responses

“Y es, we will build a
renewed Church for
Jesus Christ,” pledged the enthu-
It was such a pledge that moti-
vated Sr. Laurentia to take up the
cause of marginalized women and
heard their cry, saw their misery
and was deeply moved to offer
possibilities of new life to them.”
siastic young women religious at children on the Goan beaches. “I The faces of human trafficking
Institute Mater Dei (IMD), Goa came to Goa in 1992,” she recalls. - women, youth and children -
at the end of a course on ‘Social “Goan beaches were becoming speak volumes of extreme human
Teachings of the Church’ by notorious for trafficking, not only greed and blatant violence of
John Desrochers CSC. Listening drugs but also women. Behind human rights. Exposure to the
to those determined voices, one the façade of tourism promotion shocking human misery moti-
could simultaneously visualize women and children were treated vated the theologians of IMD to
scenes from Goa beaches. meanly. I frequented the beach, commit themselves to a just social

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Agents of Transformation
The mission, enhanced ism, casteism, child labour, mass
by spirituality and community media exploitation, excessive
life, has to be at the heart of quest for power etc, the vows
consecrated life. The whole take on new dimensions. Greater
structure of religious life will fidelity is expected of us through
keep renewing when the focus our consecration and mission.
is Jesus and His mission. Our The CRWI has been inspiring us
contribution to the transforma- to take up this challenge.
tion of this globalized world is
our creative, radical and critical
Sr. Sahayam Augustine
fidelity to our vocation. In
today’s context of massive pov- FSAG,
erty, materialism, individualism, Treasurer, CRWI.
religious pluralism, communal-

pavement dwellers, street children, through their consecrated life,
broken families. There are those committed to the vision of Jesus.
who dare, at the risk of their own Plenary Assembly at
lives, to take up remote village-lev- Cochin
el justice issues helping the ‘voice The current Plenary Assem-
suppressed’ poorer classes to take bly of the CRWI at Cochin,
courage and speak up for their (Jan 8-12) on the theme - ‘Our
rights. Some have suffered rape, Consecrated Life – Our Mission’
mutilation and even death for such intends to delve deeper on the
labours of love. challenges posed by the present
“The challenge today, in the age, on Religious Life. Inputs by
multi-cultural, multi-religious Dr. Sr. Rekha Chennatt RA on
context of India, is to radically live ‘Biblical and Theological Per-
the Christian values, to be another spectives of Consecrated Life’
order. “What shall we do to offer Christ. It is time that traditional and Dr. Sr. Evelyn Monteiro
them a dignified human life?” teaching or mechanical following SCC on the ‘Emerging Challeng-
they pondered with deep concern. of meaningless rituals give way to es to Consecrated Life’ will pave
“I just wanted to be with them, new expressions of faith and love. the path for further study and
to feel with them, and to experi- We need to make our presence felt reflection. The theme of the As-
ence firsthand what it means in areas most needed,” added Sr. sembly takes into consideration
to be looked down upon. We Seli, a practicing lawyer in the local the challenges of community life
cannot work with or for a people court of Krishnagar, West Bengal. in the globalized world where
unless we empathize with them,” The Women’s Section of the individualism is becoming ram-
explains Sr Beena who joined Conference of Religious India pant. Around 624 Major Superi-
landless daily wage labourers in (CRWI), has been challeng- ors of 253 congregations intend
a paddy fields at Kutkoli, a small ing women religious in India, to to plan together ways to chal-
village in Dakshina Kannada renewal and adaptation after the lenge and lead forward almost
District of Karnatka, during her spirit of Vatican 11. Some of the 100,000 members, to render
early formation years. members showed more open- Consecrated Life and Mission
Today, religious in India have ness and courage while there even more relevant and mean-
started to opt for more challeng- is a changed awareness gradu- ingful. Traditions, constraining
ing and frontline ministries using ally spreading among all. Neither structures and attitudes exist but
their expertise in law, ecology, Hindus nor Muslims understand the challenge continues.
media, community health, and the value of virginity accepted for
counseling. They care for prison- the Kingdom. And yet women re-
Looking Back
ers, prostitutes, HIV affected, The post - Vatican era opened
ligious have accepted the challenge


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fold thrust of revitalization was:
The Real Challenge 1. The cry of My people (open-
ness to the needs of contempo-
To me, consecrated life in for prophetic witnessing. In a rary men and women), 2. Procla-
North India is primarily to be globalised world, we need to be mation in deed (Life actualizing
a contemplative in action, as border crossers psychologically the compassion and mercy of
prophetic witness in a fragmented and geographically - cross the Jesus), 3. Prophetic-activist leader-
world. My experiences among borders of our congregations ship (not a conforming, passive,
the poor santals have given me an and be partners to proclaim the observance imposing leadership)
impetus to find Jesus in the poor compassionate face of Jesus. 4. Liberation movement thrust
and in my sisters. CRWI’s Kochi In the words of Joan Chittister: (Seek the Kingdom within you
plenary is posing a challenge “Religious Life was never meant and around you especially in the
towards an inward search, to simply to be a labour force in poor and in those who suffer in-
understand consecrated life and the Church…but a searing justice) 5. Solidarity and network-
authority with a new vision. The presence, a paradigm of search, ing (better collaboration among
call to fullness of life through a a mark of human soul and a different Congregations and the
passionate commitment to the catalyst to conscience in the dioceses).
mission of Jesus, has to be sup- society…” May our gathering Together for a
ported by life-giving structures, and theological reflections en- better world
that can free us as well as pro- able us to bring our womanly
mote unity. We are called to the 1. Formation for a New Way
gifts of nurturing, healing and of Being
service of leadership, entrusted seeking right relationships to
with authority in order to facilitate CRWI has been managing the
the Church and society. Institute Mater Dei (IMD), the
collaboration, interdependence
and shared responsibility among National Theological Formation
and beyond our sisters. Our Sr. Sreeja David Centre, since 1964. The first
community life and our com-
Gen. Councillor executive council of CRWI, under
Notre Dame Sisters, the guidance and active collabora-
mitment to the poor are means Rome
tion of Archbishop Knox and Fr.
J B Miranda SJ of JDV shaped
wide not only the windows but In 1992, a paradigm shift from the vision for IMD as a premier
also the doors of Religious Life prophetic animation to prophetic Institute of formation. The
to a new world vision, enabling action was proposed. The five- commitment of CRWI to build
the religious - women and men -
to return to their origins. It was
an invitation from the Divine
Move out of fossilized, static
Spirit to renew and adapt their structures
charisms to the changing needs
of the times (Cf Perfectae Carita- My forty years of commit- personal paradigms, and toppled
tis No 23). Religious were invited ment to consecrated life, has my worldviews. The age-old dic-
to create structures of collabora- taken me along some pretty tum, “to be in the world, yet not
tion for the common mission of rugged terrain. Shunted from of the world”, I believe is all the
the Church in the context of the one ‘apostolic’ assignment to more pertinent today. In a world
complex Indian reality. another, with or without pro- driven by corruption, greed, vio-
It was Archbishop J. R. Knox, fessional preparation, to meet lence, and injustice, I am called,
(1957-1967), the spirit-filled congregational needs, led me first and foremost, to a life of
Inter-nuncio for India who initi- to experience my own personal total integrity at all levels and in
ated a joint meeting of women brokenness while at the same all aspects of my commitment.
and men religious at Bangalore in time, discover my potential and Consecrated life today calls us to
March 1962. This resulted in the versatility. I grew in the under- move out of our fossilized, static
formation of a Conference for standing that consecration calls structures into creatively connect-
Religious. The Holy See formally me to BE and not merely to ing with all of life.
approved the statutes of the DO something for God. Close
Conference of Religious of India encounters with the poor in Sr. Nancy Vaz FdCC
(CRI) in 1963. Today we have ministry, shook me from my self Ex. Provincial
separate sections for men and sufficiency and complacency, Africa
women. challenged my perspectives and


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the Church of Christ through
inter-congregational collaboration
and solidarity saw expression in
the development of IMD into
Mater Dei Academy (MDA).
Today it is a centre for higher
learning and research affiliated to
the Theology Faculty of Jnana
Deepa Vidyadeep (JDV), Pune.
An average of hundred women
religious passes out from here
every year. There are 7 residen-
tial Staff members. This year,
116 women religious from 50
congregations are being formed
for a deeper and contextual faith CRWI 2008- 2009
commitment. About 5000 women Apostolic Contemplative Total
religious have passed through the Congregations 244 9 253
portals of this Institute. MDA Major Superiors 569 55 624
has contributed its mite to form Religious 93162 863 94025
an array of enlightened leaders in Novices 5901 35 5936
various Congregations. Candidates 9910 30 9940
2. Grow in Communion
CRWI networks effectively women religious there. Sr Jyoti ops Conference of India, for the
with international organizations Pinto BS was elected to be on the empowerment of women in the
of women religious and other re- executive council of AMOR. Church and Society, and to edu-
lated groups in the service of the 4. Combat Dehumanization cate the marginalized and youth.
universal Church. The Plenary Closer home, two workshops New horizons
Council Meet of the International were conducted in October, “Consecrated life, to be lived
Union of the Superiors’ General 2009 (Raia, Goa) and in May after the model of the Trinitarian
(UISG) at Prerana, Bangalore, has 2010 (Kolkatta), for women community, is facing many chal-
been an unforgettable experience religious of South Asia involved lenges today. Along with interde-
of the confluence of spirituali- in the prevention of ‘traffick- pendence, collaboration and at-
ties and cultures. Writing to the ing’ and to ensure ‘safe mi- titudinal changes, major superiors
former President of CRWI, Sr gration’. The network, ‘Asian have to be alert to respond to the
Innamma JMJ, the then UISG Movement of Religious women realities” observes President of
President, Sr Amelia Kawaji, Against Trafficking of Persons’ the CRWI, Sr. Prasanna Thattil
MMB stated, “…we come to (AMRAT) was created at the end CHF. Religious women are chal-
India from the four corners of of the second session to assist lenged from all corners towards a
the world to learn from you and women religious of India, Paki- heroic witness of life.
share with you, learning from one stan, Bangla Desh, Nepal and Sri The 45th Plenary Assembly
another ..... to respond to ‘the call Lanka to work in solidarity with of women is set to motivate and
to weave a new spirituality that each other. inspire women religious to move
generates hope and life for all’. towards new frontiers, entrust-
5. A New Gender Policy
3. Move Beyond “Gender sensitivity is not a ing their dream to God who says,
The XV Asia-Oceania Meeting woman question; it is a human “See! I make all things new” (Rev.
of Religious (AMOR) in Octo- and a spiritual question,” says the 21:5).
ber, 2009 held at Thailand with Gender Policy of the Catholic
the theme, ‘Moving Beyond’, was Bishops’ Church of India (2010). Sr Jyoti BS,
another occasion to build bridges This paradigm shift heralds a new President,
among Asian women religious, gender relationship. Together Mater Dei Academy
enriched by Asian cultures and with other sections of CRI, the Trust, Goa
spiritual treasures. Sisters Innam- CRWI is actively involved in the
ma JMJ, Jyoti Pinto BS, Olivia AC implementation of the Policy
and Sibi CMC represented Indian Document of the Catholic Bish- COMP

faith aCtiVE

Don’t Spray Us to
Death!
E nlarged heads, disabled
bodies, underdeveloped
brain, malfunctioning nervous
taka’s coffee growers are using En-
dosulfan. It was reported an year
ago that out of about 8,000 peo-
States Environmental Protection
Agency classifies it as a highly
hazardous pesticide. The same
system…human misery at its ple in Kokkada, Patrame and Nidle Agency, which earlier allowed its
worst…media bring us these villages of Beltangady taluk, nearly restricted use on tomatoes, cotton
pictures and the villain behind a thousand suffer from mental and and other crops, has stopped the
is Endosulfan, an agrochemi- physical disorders, cancers, heart use completely since June 2010.
cal sprayed as pesticide. It has diseases, dumbness, blindness, etc. But Endosulfan continues to be
once more revealed the dreadful Alarm bells are already ringing in used in countries such as Bra-
face of the reckless use of pes- Punjab as water bodies and the soil zil and Australia, besides India.
ticides in India. Endosulfan has are being found to be poisoned This chemical is under consider-
already proved fatal claiming a with pesticides. The havoc caused ation for inclusion on a list of per-
heavy toll in Kerala, Karnataka by the use of Endosulfan can be sistent organic pollutants under the
and other parts of the country. best described only as a bio-trag- 166-member Stockholm Conven-
Due to its air spray for two edy, impacting the environment, tion. It is a treaty to protect human
decades across 4,500 acres of biodiversity and human beings. health and the environment from
cashew plantations in Kerala, Alarmed World chemicals. At the sixth meeting of
more than 9,000 people are now Having become aware of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Re-
suffering from serious ailments deadly effects of Endosulfan, 73 view Committee to the Stockholm
like cancer, physical deformities, countries including the European Convention held at Geneva during
mental retardation, skin diseases Union and several Asian and West October 11-15, 2010, India op-
and growth abnormalities. An African nations have banned or posed a global ban on the manu-
estimated 10 per cent of Karna- phased out its use. The United facture, use, import and export of

faith aCtiVE

“Having become aware of the
against innocent people. The use
of Endosulfan amounts to the
violation of the fifth command-
ment, ‘thou shall not kill,’ in its
wide and profound sense. A pro-
deadly effects of Endosulfan, 73 life Church cannot overlook this
bio-tragedy. Just as we rightly
countries including the European protect unborn human life, we
need to protect life in all forms.
Union and several Asian and West Giving occasional press release
asking the government to ban En-
African nations have banned
“
dosulfan would not be enough.
Approach of the Church must
be comprehensive and effective.
Endosulfan. Of the 29 members industrial lobbyists. The govern- First, there must be concerted
in the review committee, 24 sup- ment may choose to let down a efforts to pressurize members
ported the ban and four (Germa- few thousand lives and their po- of the parliament to force the
ny, Ghana, Nigeria and China) ab- litical support compared to the government to ban Endosulfan.
stained. Ironically many of those financial support of the industrial Mobilize people in various parts,
24 countries cited reports of En- multimillionaires. It is not rare that especially the worst affected re-
dosulfan-caused health problems government policies, in India and gions, to protest against the slug-
from Kerala to back their demand outside, are likely to be high-jacked gish attitude of the government.
while only India opposed the ban! by business houses that fund po- Secondly, make sure that the vic-
(Kerala banned the use of Endo- litical parties. Secondly, death in a tims or their relatives get adequate
sulfan after a state panel proposed pesticide tragedy catches less at- compensation for the tragedy.
so in 2001). Despite India’s oppo- tention of the society, than let us Make the responsible agencies,
sition, the committee has recom- say, death in spectacular terrorist definitely the producers, pay the
mended a ban to the Conference attacks. Recall the due national re- compensation. Giving the whole
of the Parties of Stockholm Con- sponse to the Mumbai terror attack compensation by the government
vention scheduled for April 2011. of 26 November 2008, in which at means punishing the public for the
India Cool! least 175 lives were claimed and crime committed by certain busi-
In general, India still remains 300 people were injured. But the ness corporations. That is unjust.
cool and lethargic towards the loss of innocent human life is hor- Thirdly, in the agricultural sector,
Endosulfan tragedy, barring the rendous whether gunned down by the situation demanding the use
following things: central govern- terrorists or killed by a pesticide. of pesticides, such as Endosulfan,
ment appointed study groups for Thirdly, the government seems still remains. Banning Endosulfan
scientific reports. National Hu- to ignore a few thousand lives, in would not solve the whole issue.
man Rights Commission speaks a country of more than a billion Farmers need viable alternatives.
more of rehabilitating the affected people. Fourthly, the affected peo- Research and development must
people and giving compensation ple are poor, the first choice to be be promoted in this area. Fourthly,
for them. State-wise ban on En- let down in any socio-political and Endosulfan is not the only villain
dosulfan has been issued by state economic race. Not banning the among the harmful pesticides. An
governments - for example, Kerala use of Endosulfan nation-wide objective evaluation of the impact
since 2005. Unbiased media have amounts to letting the manufac- of all kinds of pesticides and fun-
sufficiently exposed the dismal turers kill innocent people. Any gicides is necessary. Banning En-
situation of the abased victims. government, professed to protect dosulfan should not be an occasion
the life and welfare of its people, for other equally toxic pesticides to
Why this Violence Al- cannot remain indifferent. It is seize the market. That would make
lowed? also the duty of Indian Church a mockery of the whole effort.
Addressing adequately the En-
to mobilize and wield a suit-
dosulfan tragedy primarily means
able response to this bio-tragedy.
asking the important question, why
this violence is allowed in India. I Challenge to the Church
dare to make four simple, but not As protector and promoter of Dr. Mathew Illathuparampil
necessarily untrue, speculations. life, the Church has to intervene Moral Theologian,
First, the central government may effectively and make the govern- St. Joseph’s, Aluva
be acting under the pressure of ment stop the chemical atrocity COMP

foCuS national

Emerging
World Power?

H aving recently come to
Bangalore, I noticed, the
city nicknamed ‘pensioner’s town’
from Ranchi to Jamshedpur in
Jharkhand; both these towns have
outgrown their capacity. Yet, over
has grown to be one of the most a 100 kilometer stretch of road,
sophisticated cosmopolitan cities there were hardly any schools,
of India. Besides the IT complex- primary health centres or
es, some of the business centres market places. Being to-
and super markets can compete tally a tribal dominated
with any of the best in the West. region, Jharkhand
If you have the money you can boasts of over
purchase any item produced 60 percent
in any part of the world. Yet, of India’s
poverty and misery exist just 100 miner-
kilometers away from the heart of als.
Bangalore, with no proper drink-
ing water, no toilet facilities and
children forced to study in
dilapidated classrooms with
no toilet facilities.
Last month, I travelled


Corruption, injustice and illiteracy add to
the gap between the rich and the poor

But the people here are forced to pool are there too. Two floors
live a sub-human life. The coal are reserved for family guests.
mined from here illumines Delhi, Four floors above these are
Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana. family floors with a superb view
The irony is that these tribal vil- of the Arabian Sea. On top of
lages have neither electricity nor everything are three helipads. A
safe drinking water! 600-member staff takes care of
On the other hand, the four the family and home!
richest Indians are now richer In 2004, India became the 3rd
than the forty richest Chinese. most attractive foreign direct
Mukesh Ambani is the second investment destination. In the
richest Indian. He has built a new same year, the United Nations
home - Antillia (after a mythical, had requested the Election Com-
phantom island somewhere in mission of India to assist them in
the Atlantic Ocean). At a cost of holding elections in Afghanistan.
$1 billion this would be the most India has been sending its army
expensive home on the planet. A personnel to be part of the UN’s
173 meters tall family residence, peace-keeping force. 12 per-
for a family of six, the equivalent cent of America’s scientists, 38
of a 60-storeyed building! The percent of its doctors, 36 percent
first six floors are reserved for of NASA scientists, 34 percent
parking, the seventh, for car of Microsoft employees and 28
servicing/maintenance, percent of IBM employees are
the eighth, houses a Indian! They provide consultancy
mini-theatre. A to some of the most prestigious
health club, a business corporations in the
gym and a world.
swim- This is not the end of the
ming story. Sabeer Bhatia created and
founded Hotmail. Sun Micro-
systems was founded by Vinod
Khosla. The Intel Pentium
processor, that runs 90
percent of all comput-
ers, was fathered by
Vinod Dham. Bollywood
(Bombay Film Industry)

Indian Social Reality democracy rests, i.e. free and fair
elections, which enable citizens to
Population 1,027,015,247 choose their own leaders without
Total Literacy 65.38% recourse to arms; an independent
6-14 years’ out of school children 75.4 million judiciary and the rule of law,
Dropout by primary school 48% which allows people to address
Child labour working 12 hours a day on an average 80 million their grievances; a thriving free
press and vibrant civil society
Household without drinking water 23% which allows every voice to be
Household without electricity connections 47% heard. The President also assured
Below Poverty Line 36% to support India to secure a seat
Villages with medical facilities 14.0% in the United Nations Security
Source: Census Reports 2001

“
Council.
We are happy that our economy
grows. But this economic growth
is not fully reflected in the quality
This economic growth is not fully of life, in the majority of people,
particularly in rural areas. India
reflected in the quality of life, in the witnessed a widening of income
majority of people, particularly in inequality during the phase of

“
acceleration in economic growth
rural areas in the post-reform period (1993-
94 to 2004-05). There is an
ever widening gap between the
produces 800 movies per year constitute the basic element of urban elites - owners, managers,
and six Indian ladies have won India being a world power. The professionals, rural moneylend-
Miss Universe/Miss World titles number of phone connections in ers and absentee landlords on
in the recent years. Some Indian India –mobile and landline - has the one hand, and the unskilled
women have played leading roles crossed 400 million in January urban workers, marginal farmers,
in Indian politics. They are now 2010. This means, there are 35 agricultural workers and unor-
asserting their place and role in phone connections for every 100 ganized sector workers on the
India’s economy. persons. This is a phenomenal other. While one day consultancy
After three decades of slow growth in the last few years. fees of a professional in India
progress (2 percent GDP No wonder these facts led could be between Rs. 5,000.00
growth/ year), India’s growth rate President Obama to state that to 10,000.00, an agricultural
accelerated to 5-6 per cent in the India is claiming its rightful place labourer’s family would earn Rs.
late 1970s, with an occasional leap in the international arena. He 5,000.00 per month! One won-
to 7-8 per cent. The fast recovery further stated that India built ders as to how these families
of the Indian economy from the the institutions upon which true survive. Corruption, injustice and
effects of the global crisis led to
a return to the 9% growth rate in
the 2003-08 period. This opened Aspiring to the top?
up avenues for greater invest- showcase islands of urban pros-
ment in growth and development. perity and have the delusion of
Moreover, this growth pattern has Fr. M.Mihir Upasi grandeur as a world power while
Director, Social Services the vast country side of Bharat
also emboldened India’s Prime
Berahmpur, Orissa. (rural India) languishes in misery.
Minister to declare in the interna-
tional arena that India does not India aspires to be a world Major hurdles to be overcome on
want any aid for development. power and wants other signifi- a daily basis are: rampant corrup-
India aims at achieving energy cant nations like USA to recog- tion, caste based discriminations,
independence by 2030. The coun- nize and support the aspiration. religious fanaticism, insurgency
try is a member of G20 which A reality check is good as it forg- and poor infrastructure. There is
plays crucial role in international es ahead. Millions of rural poor a long way to go with determina-
economic cooperation. All these still do not have access to quality tion and commitment. Above all,
contribute to make India towards services like transport, telecom- we need a different political cul-
becoming a world power. A munications, schooling and ture and politicians who are ‘with
population of over 1 billion itself health care. India Inc. cannot the people and for the people’.


faith mattErS

Mind the gap! and don’t make the extra effort
for pro-poor development, the
murder are common in our gap will constantly grow. Along
Dr. John Crasta metros. Right now, a change
Moral Theologian, with tackling poverty, we also
of mindset in the common is need to handle problems of illit-
Ranchi
most urgent. We need to begin eracy, insufficient health care etc.
Unequal distribution of wealth to love cleanliness and public
is the worst enemy to progress How can India be a world pow-
hygiene; give up spitting in the er when almost 50% of women
in India. The political parties, public; respect traffic rules;
national or local, have failed to among the Dalit, Tribal and Mus-
love the environment as a gift lim communities are illiterate? If
rise above caste and communal of God, learn to be givers than
lines. Corruption has permeated Indians have done well in higher
receivers. Concerted efforts education and IT, it should have
our society so much that we have in addressing the issues of
learnt to live with it as a “neces- reflected in the overall develop-
injustice and corruption can ment of all its citizens. But this is
sity”. Crime graph is alarmingly take India towards becoming a
rising. Incidences of rape and not the case. People who come to
world power. visit India are amazed by the un-
illiteracy add to the gap between precedented progress and growth
the poor and the vulnerable have achieved in the last fifty years. But
the rich and the poor. no place in India. Official apathy
The agrarian crisis pushes farm- they are immediately stunned as
contributes to the vulnerability of they move in rural areas or the
ers into distressful situations and these very poor tribal communi-
ultimately to suicide. It is argued slums in the cosmopolitan towns!
ties. Their land and resources are That is a deplorable India.
that the cumulative effect of a appropriated for the ‘develop-
number of factors is responsible In fact, there are two Indias in
ment of the country’. They are reality: one, an emerging world
for the present agrarian crisis. forced to starvation and death. It
These factors are categorized as power, projected by the media to
is not just suicide of farmers but the outer world. The other, a dis-
technological, ecological, socio- starvation deaths reported regu-
cultural and policy-related. In criminated, exploited and pauper-
larly from this world power, called ized India which the media does
the last ten years, over 10,000 India! The national media prefer
farmers have committed suicide not address. In the latter lies the
to ignore such news. Heart of India, as Mahatma Gan-
every year due to their inability Speaking about the Millennium
to repay loans taken for agricul- dhi stated. It continues so, even
Development Goals (MDGs) in after 64 years of independence.
tural purposes. But the ruling the Indian context, Erna Wi-
class is totally unconcerned about toelar, United Nations Special
this impending crisis. Since the Ambassador for MDGs in Asia
agricultural sector is in crisis, food and Pacific, advocated that the In-
insecurity has become a major dian governments should balance Dr. Louis Prakash SJ
issue. It is the poor and the most pro-poor policies with economic Social analyst, former Director, ISI, Delhi
vulnerable who bear the brunt of growth to achieve the MDGs. If Co-ordinator, Jesuit Refugees Services.
it. And, again the irony, they pro- we don’t concentrate on poverty
duce food and others consume it! COMP
India ranks among the 30 most
corrupt nations, according to a
What is real power?
survey by a leading international inclusive development, better
NGO, Transparency Interna- Dr.Rudi Heredia SJ quality of life, greater social
tional. Politicians thrive on false Social Analyst, equity and secure human
promises. The recent scam in the ISI, Delhi rights, not high GDP, ac-
telecom sector has shocked the celerated growth or military
entire country. Billions of rupees, From “will India survive?” at might. This is closer to the
supposed to go to the treasury our Independence, the question vision of national freedom
have been siphoned off into the today is: “India a great power?” movement than great power
kitty of politicians. Power tends to corrupt, great status, closer to the India of
The death of 35 Birhors, power corrupts greatly! Our Gandhiji’s dreams, a model
a primitive tribal group in bewildering cultural diver- for a brave new world, more
Jharkhand, in October and sity, political differences and human, less powerful, a free
November 2008, has once again economic disparities demand and happy people, not a rich
driven home the message that participative democracy and and powerful nation.


COMPANION - Jan-2011

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