THE POOR CHURCH BLOG
The Church of the Poor
A group of Hindu radicals allegedly set fire to a church in Siddhapuram village located in Andhra Pradesh state, India, on Tuesday, May 5.
The website reported that the attack occurred at around 2 am. Noticing the fire, the believers immediately gathered around in a bid to save the church. But by that time all the furniture in the church was gutted.
According to Pastor Clinton who ministers the Holy Sprit Church of God, the attackers first destroyed the door of the church as it was kept locked and it was also told by him that once they were inside, they set fire to all the furniture, including the pulpit and some wooden bars supporting the slab sheets.
According to Pastor Clinton, the Hindu radicals belonging to the party called Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian People’s Party) had similarly destroyed another church in the same area.
“We do not create any problems in the area. Then why do they keep attacking us?” Pastor Clinton wondered as he spoke in an interview to a representative of the All India Christian Council. Pastor Clinton said that in the past they had some problems with the owners of the land surrounding the church as they built apartments all around.
“We do not know if they have any hand in the attack,” the Pastor added.
The Pastor, along with the believers, went to the nearby police station to file an FIR (First Information Report) and register a case against these Hindu Radicals.
For more Info: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09050042.htm
MUMBAI: Mainstream Christian churches in India, both Catholic and Protestant, have joined hands and asked their followers to vote only for those parties and candidates committed to protecting human rights and minority interests, and respecting the Indian constitution.
Such appeals to the electorate are usually delivered in low key, but after the round of attacks on Christians in Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, they are being widely circulated by Christian groups both by word of mouth and in writing at gatherings and meetings.
The appeals by both Catholic and Protestant groups to Christians dwell on the need to promote secularism and communal harmony, good governance, security for the minorities, gender justice and the reservation of benefits for Christian dalits.
The secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, has circulated an appeal which is being used in Catholic churches and institutions across the country. The CBCI appeal does not mention any political party by name but touches on the problems Christians are facing in Orissa and the need for all secular citizens to take a stand on human rights issues.
The letter calls on all secular citizens to vote for a party or candidate able to ensure the following: Protection and promotion of our secularism and democratic commitment....Be true to the letter and spirit of the preamble and the provisions of the constitution of India. Spokesperson for the CBCI Babu Joseph, speaking from New Delhi, said a similar exhortation was made to the electorate before the 2004 elections but was not widely circulated.
In light of the problems which minorities now face, we are making strong efforts to see that we get justice, he said. The National Council of Churches in India (NCC), which represents most of the 30 mainstream Protestant Churches, including the Mar Thoma Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, has been active in pushing a similar agenda signed by the NCCI president, Bishop Taranath Sagar.
NCC spokesperson Mar Atsongchanger said from Nagpur, We are circulating these appeals asking our followers and secular friends to vote. Church circles point out that churches in Kerala, Goa and the North-Eastern states, have traditionally played a discreet role during elections, working to garner support for candidates and parties which they feel would be supportive of them. This is the first time that a national appeal has been made, they said.
In Mumbai, Cardinal Oswald Gracias in a letter on the polls printed in the Catholic weekly Examiner has asked Catholics to pray to God to give us a good government. We need to vote for those who respect the Constitution. We need to vote for people who are clean and not tainted by corruption. This will ensure that we have leaders who will work selflessly for the country, he said.
Source: Ashley D’Mello, TNN 10 April 2009
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
RAIPUR, India (UCAN): Diocesan priests often emphasize their "priestly" and "kingly" roles but fail to stress their prophetic ministry, says the president of the Catholic Priests' Conference of India (CPCI). The conference, formed 22 years ago to unite diocesan priests of India and foster fraternity among them, has faced some rough times because of some bishops' opposition.
Many early members have left the group. Nevertheless, Father Sebastian Poomattam says the dedication of some committed members has enabled the conference to grown in quality, if not in quantity. The 61-year-old priest was a CPCI member from its inception and served as its secretary for two three-year terms before being elected president in 2007.
The priest of Raipur archdiocese in central India has been involved since 1994 in an "alternative" ministry of living and working with poor villagers including dalit, former "untouchables" in the traditional caste system, in the area around Sakti, Chhattisgarh state.
A practicing lawyer, he also organizes rural groups, especially poor women, and takes up their causes in court. In this interview, he shares his views on the CPCI's role in organizing diocesan priests in India.
UCA News: Why was the CPCI formed?
FATHER SEBASTIAN POOMATTAM: It was a felt need at that time to have a fraternity for diocesan priests to look into their needs. Though canon law provides for an association of diocesan priests, we didn't have one. The forum offers diocesan priests from all over India an opportunity to come together, share their problems and find new approaches to their ministry. We also felt the need to take up their issues, especially their problems with their bishops, medical care after their retirement and other matters. In the history of the Church, the priestly and kingly roles of the priest are always stressed, while the prophetic role is neglected. We felt the need to stress the priests' prophetic role in the present context, among these three aspects of Christ. The CPCI is an association of diocesan priests with a prophetic thrust. It is to renew the Church to work for the poor. The Church has been institutionalized and has amassed wealth, a counter-witness to the Gospel. The poor are neglected. They are not even elected as parish council members. Father Thomas Joseph of Mananthavady diocese (in Kerala, a southern state) convened the first meeting in 1987 in Hyderabad (capital of Andhra Pradesh, another southern state) with 24 priests. Ours is not the first diocesan association in the world. Similar associations had already existed in other countries.
Why do many bishops view the CPCI as a group of disgruntled priests?
We wanted to get bishops' approval, since the association is a Church body. When we wrote to the CBCI (Catholic Bishops' Conference of India), they asked for our bylaws. Then we had a rethink. Since canon law approves of such an association, we didn't seek the bishops' approval or submit our bylaws. So, many bishops took it negatively. Bishops think everything should be under their control. However, some bishops have accepted the CPCI. Secondly, we took up some priests' issues with their bishops. This gave the impression we are anti-bishop. For instance, five priests in Trichur diocese (Kerala) were suspended. We played a great role to get the problems settled amicably. In another case, our intervention led to Rome asking the bishop of Palai diocese (Kerala) to revoke a priest's suspension. Many priests joined the CPCI assuming it was a forum to resolve their problems with their bishops. That too gave the impression CPCI was against bishops. But we do not take up cases blindly. We always go through proper forums. The CPCI's diocesan units always study the cases. We would not get involved if it is a personal problem. Our conference is not meant for disgruntled priests. Three of its members have become bishops: Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao of Delhi was its vice president. Others were the late Bishop Leon Tharmaraj of Kottar and Bishop Francis Kalist of Meerut. Many CPCI members now hold high positions in their dioceses. Father Joseph Appavoo, social service director of Ahmedabad diocese (western India), was nominated by his bishop for the diocesan priests' Excellence Award for working for peace during sectarian violence in Gujarat.
Why did many leave the conference?
Some priests lost interest because many bishops are against it. Others joined to resolve problems with bishops. They left once their problems were solved. For example, in Kurnool diocese (Andhra Pradesh), 27 dalit diocesan priests demanded a dalit bishop. The CPCI helped settle the matter, but those priests left CPCI soon after.
What are CPCI's other achievements?
CPCI has always stood for priests' prophetic role in the Church. We have promoted "Alternative Ministries," which means not following the traditional ways but taking new initiatives such as the education of slum children, values education and education at the grassroots level. Alternative Ministries involves living and identifying with people, and working with them without any foreign funds. We made a charter of demands for diocesan priests, such as allowances and a medical fund for retired priests. The CPCI has taken initiatives to form reconciliation forums in conflicts between priests and bishops. It has proposed changes in priestly formation, which should help priests deal with the people's social, economic and religious realities. We have promoted the Church of the poor. In India, 90 percent of Catholics are either tribals or dalit. The Church hardly takes up their causes. Our own institutions deny them appointments. The Church in India should become a Church of the poor. That is the stand of Jesus. Many diocesan priests do a lot of good work, but their activities are not highlighted. So last December, we honored 16 priests with Excellence Awards in Mumbai. That was the first time diocesan priests in India were honored nationally. We also collaborate with priests' associations in countries such as America, England and Ireland. Two years ago, we started our website (www.cpcibangalore.org). Also, we have started a monthly newsletter. We have a priest as full-time office administrator. Our national office in Bangalore has facilities for seminars and accommodation for members. We manage the association with membership fees and donations.
Is there a conflict between CPCI and the Conference of Diocesan Priests of India (CDPI)?
There is no conflict. In fact we have promoted CDPI [since it was formed] eight years ago. All diocesan priests are its members. CDPI should take up many of their issues. Although bishops started it, many do not promote it. The bylaws have the same vision (as the CPCI). Objectives are the same. CPCI wrote to the CBCI clergy commission for a conference of priests, open to all the diocesan priests. As a result, CDPI was formed by the Latin-rite bishops.
What are your future plans?
If things go well, we will continue to present the Excellence Awards to diocesan priests every year. We may even award laypersons and bishops. This requires a lot of money. We intend to organize orientation seminars for priests. Also, to collaborate with non-governmental organizations who have similar visions for a just social order.
What changes has the CPCI made in its workings?
We have new bylaws. We registered the association as a society (in 2007). In the new bylaws, importance is [not so much on] the diocesan units but the national and regional units. Provision for associate members is given. Even Religious priests can become associate members, but they have no right to vote. At the diocesan level, we can work along with the nuns and laity who share in our vision. Earlier, we conducted a membership drive. We had then more than 900 members. In the new bylaws we have no interest to increase the number. Numbers are not that important. Qualitative involvement is important. We have now about 200 members.
What are your major problems?
Financial, to begin with. Also lack of interest among many priests about the prophetic ministry. In the Old Testament, prophets took a stand to give justice to the needy, orphan and widows. Jesus always stood for justice, but today the Church seems to compromise a lot.
Courtesy: UCA News
Bishop Thomas Dabre ,who was installed as the new bishop of Pune on Sunday, June 7, said he wants to build his mission by promoting inter-faith and intercultural dialogue, and provide aid to charities and the poor but above all help the clergy and the laity “understand the real nature of our faith.”
Card Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, four archbishops and six bishops, took part in the installation ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Thousands of believers from the diocese of Vasai were also present.
“I feel privileged to be bishop of Pune, a diocese so rich in culture” with “a long tradition of culture” that “has made a significant contribution to the history of modern India,” Bishop Dabre told AsiaNews.
Located in the State of Maharashtra, the city of Pune is home to the Jnana Deep Vidyapeeth (JDV), the Pontifical Institute of philosophy and Religion, which trains the country’s churchmen. Dabre is a graduate of the institute and also taught there.
“Our academic institutes should not be insular,” he said. “They must be open to civil society. Our studies and academic pursuits must equip us to respond to situations around us, so in this regard, I will encourage them to think, study and teach in a manner suitable to give an answer to our times” which should also meet “the needs and challenges of globalisation and the society around us.”
As a member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Bishop Dabre said he is aware that “many of the conflicts in today’s society, regions and world communities are sadly due to religious tensions arising out of misunderstanding and misinformation, which unfortunately [. . .] give rise to situations of intolerance, [. . .] violence” and fundamentalism.
For this reason, “inter-religious dialogue and inculturation are a urgent need in today’s India and a pastoral priority for the Church, especially at a time when anti-Christian violence is sweeping across several regions of the country.”
According to him “Building bridges of understanding and tolerance among the country’s various religious communities” is one of the main tasks the JDV and the faithful in his diocese must undertake. Young people must become “agents of change”.
For the young the prelate envisages an educational approach “that includes the integration of an inter-religious component in every aspect of education.”
Indeed “dialogue is not [just] a word for it means” a place like Pune with “its rich heritage” serving as “an important centre for social and religious reform movements.”
Helping the poor and the weakest segments of society are also part of his priorities.
“A large part of the population in the diocese lives in rural areas and the Church plays an important role in their development and integration in society,” the bishop said.
“Our schools are open to children of every creed and our educational activities are geared towards helping the marginalised and the poor lead a life of dignity and without discrimination,” he added.
Notwithstanding the role of the Church’s charitable and educational institutions, priests and lay people are the main players in inter-religious and intercultural dialogue.
For Mgr Dabre focusing on the mission is a must for priests. This is why “they receive a continuing education that can help them understand the real nature of our faith.”
For the bishop the year Benedict XVI has dedicated to priests “is an incredible gift because sadly today there are many misunderstandings within the Church.”
Lay people and priests must be helped to “appreciate and love the faith and be able to communicate it to our people. Only this way can we see families, society and our entire diocese transformed.”
