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Catholic
Church welcomes the Justice Sachar Committee Report
New
Delhi, December 08, 2006
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) welcomes
the Justice Sachar Committee Report that has recently been tabled
in the Parliament. The apex body of the Catholic Church in India
hails the initiatives of the UPA Government to constitute the
High Level Committee headed by Justice Rajinder Sachar to study
the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim minority
community of India.
The Justice Sachar committee report clearly states that the Muslim
Community is relatively poor, more illiterate, has lower access
to education, lower representation in public and private sector
jobs and lower availability of bank credit for self employment.
The Justice Sachar Committee report on Muslim minority community
is also representative of the socio-economic conditions of other
minority communities in India. In particular, we would like to
mention the socio-economic condition of Christians of Dalit origin
who have been asking for their legitimate right to be treated
on par with Dalits of other religious groups. However, such a
long standing demand of the community has been neglected by the
successive Governments both at the Centre and at the State level.
The CBCI appeals to the Central Government for the speedy completion
of the Mishra Commission work on the socio-economic backwardness
of other minority communities in India. The findings of this Commission
we hope will form the basis for addressing the legitimate concerns
of minority communities.
Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
CBCI
Clarification on the Papal Speech
at Regensburg Catholic University in Germany
New
Delhi, Sep. 16, 2006:
The CBCI would like to state the following by way of clarification
in view of some controversies regarding the address of Pope Benedict
XVI at the Regensburg Catholic University, Germany, on September
12, 2006. The Pontiff was addressing primarily the university
academics and the main topic of his presentation was ?Faith, Reason
and the University Memories and Reflections?.
Critiquing
the European secularized civilization of today, Pope said that
it is the consequence of the unrestrained command of rationality
alone on human life and society and this over-secularization has
unfortunately resulted in the diminishing sense of the sacred.
On the other hand, leaving religion and religious traditions totally
uncritiqued can lead them into redundant practices and observances.
Drawing on some of the historical examples, the Pope suggested
that the debate on the role of reason in religious discourses
and practices always prevailed down the centuries.
All
along the speech, the Pope insisted that there has to be a healthy
balance between faith and reason. Reason was always embedded in
the Christian religious understanding of God and human person
and the Pope sought to expand this understanding of God and human
person in order to promote a genuine dialogue among various cultures
and religious traditions of the world. And in this context he
quoted from the 14th century Emperor who, engaged in a religious
debate, pointed out the incompatibility of violence with the nature
of God and human reason. A reason which is deaf to the divine
and which relegates religion to the realm of subcultures is incapable
of entering into the dialogue of cultures," the Pontiff said.
The
Church always held other religions in high esteem and this is
borne out of the document of Vatican II: The Church regards with
esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting
in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven
and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly
to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the
faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to
God? In addition, they await the Day of Judgment and the reward
of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason
they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially
by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting. Since in the course
of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between
Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget
the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to
preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all
mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and
freedom? Nostra Aetate, 28 October, 1965.
Pope
Benedict XVI has high esteem for all religions and cultures of
the world, which is often reflected in his speeches, right from
the beginning of his pontificate. This concern is being reiterated
also in his writings as well as his initiatives to reach out to
other religious leaders with whom he meets even during his pastoral
visits and entreats them to work for greater collaboration and
harmony among religions.
The
Pope in no way intended to hurt the religious sentiments of our
Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world. In fact, he
continually endeavors to create more congenial atmosphere whereby
greater unity of religions and cooperation of cultures can be
ensured.
Most
Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes
Secretary General, CBCI &
Archbishop of Gandhinagar
CBCI
Condemns Attacks On Loreto School In Lucknow
New
Delhi, September 12, 2006
The
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), condemns the
vandalism by some activists in the premises of Loreto Convent
School in Lucknow on Sunday evening. We, the Bishops of India
unequivocally state that such attacks are totally unwarranted;
they bring disruption of normal activities of the institution
and create unpleasant feelings among people. As a civilized and
democratic society, we should resort to dialogue rather than violence
to find solutions to problems.
In
good faith, the Principal of Loreto Convent School in Lucknow
had invited a priest from West Bengal to give spiritual talks
to her students. The priest along with a witness of faith led
a prayer meeting in the school premises. It is true that during
the prayer session, a few children fainted due to exhaustion.
The school authorities promptly attended to the affected children
and there was absolutely no cause for panic.
However,
it is unfortunate that the incident was totally blown out of proportion.
It is totally inappropriate and uncalled for that some activists
belonging to different organizations have taken law in their hands
and created mayhem in the school premises. And we take strong
exception to the manner in which these lawless elements have desecrated
a ‘temple of learning’ for thousands of young children.
The
Catholic Schools in India have always respected different religious
traditions and imparted an education, which promotes true spirit
of peace and harmony. Discrimination of any sort is never practiced
in any of the Catholic Schools and therefore to attribute motives
to a prayer meeting held in the school premises is baseless. And
we want to reiterate that Catholic Educational Institutions are
committed to foster communal harmony, promote social justice,
ensure excellence in education and above all formation of responsible
and conscientious citizens.
Issued
by:
Rev.
Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson,
CBCI
Catholic
Bishops Condemn Serial Blasts In Mumbai, Appeal For Peace And
Social Harmony
New Delhi, July 12, 2006
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the
apex body of the Catholic Church in India is anguished and pained
at the series of bomb blasts in Mumbai on Tuesday in which nearly
two hundred are feared dead and several hundreds injured. The
Catholic Bishops of the country strongly condemn such senseless
act of violence which tries to vitiate the social harmony in
the country.
At this hour of tragedy we remember those who lost their lives
in these blasts and we surrender them to the Almighty God and
pray for their departed souls. We convey our good wishes for
the speedy recovery of the victims who are admitted in various
hospitals of Mumbai.
We express our deep sympathy with those who have lost their
near and dear ones in these blasts. May the families of the
victims experience strength and courage to face this disaster.
It is extremely distressing to see the terrorists target innocent
people going about doing their daily work. However, this experience
of terror and loss of life and property will not crush our spirit
but we will brave this also with a stronger will and carry on
with our normal life. Time and again, the terrorists have tried
to disturb our social harmony but each time we have come out
with more determination and commitment to disallow the path
of violence.
We appeal to all sections of society to remain calm and maintain
peace. This is the surest way to defeat the nefarious designs
of ill motivated groups operating in the country.
The volunteers at the site of the bomb blasts have rendered
a meritorious service to the nation by assisting the injured
and the affected. We remember them in our prayers and ask God
to continue to bless them in their life and work.
Issued
by:
Rev.
Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
CBCI
Demands Ban On Two Controversial Films Affecting The Christian
Community
New
Delhi, May 11, 2006:
The
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) strongly protests
the release of the Films: ‘Da Vinci Code’ by Sony Pictures
and ‘Tickle My Funny Bone’ by Yogendra Konkar. Both
the movies are offensive in nature as they deeply hurt the sentiments
of the Christian Community. The first is a false and an irreverent
portrayal of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, as a married
man and having progeny, which insidiously attacks the very root
of Christian Faith. Jesus died on the Cross and was resurrected
and was taken to Heaven. Tickle my Funny Bone is a caricature of
religious persons of the Church, who sacrifice their life in the
service of God and people.
These
movies belittle what is at the heart of Christian Faith and cherished
in Christian Life, they hurt the religious sentiments of the Christian
Community in the country and are therefore blasphemous, and totally
unacceptable to the Christian community. Besides the movies are
bound to bring into disesteem the Christian Community in the country
and create misgivings about the minority Christian community in
the country.
Christians follow the teachings of Christ whose life and mission
are handed down by the written tradition of only the four authoritative
Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. These four Gospels have
been authenticated from the earliest centuries of Christianity by
the Church, which accepted that these authentically narrate the
life and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ and transmit the Faith
to the generations to come.
Archbishop
Stanislaus Fernandes, Secretary General of CBCI has demanded immediate
withdrawal of the proposed release of these movies in India. Archbishop
Fernandes said, “The Indian Christian Community takes strong
exception to the release of these movies in a country, where every
individual has a right to his religious beliefs and to enjoy the
respect to them from the followers of other religions. This is all
the more to be expected in a country that is secular. Both movies
are based on falsehoods about Christian faith and life and will
hurt the faith of individual Christians and bring Christian Communities
into disrepute among people of other religions. Such movies which
spread wrong notions about a religion, any religion, should not
be screened in India or anywhere as they do not stand for the Truth.”
The CBCI also urges the Board of Film Censors of India to ban such
movies, which are based on the wrong notion of Christianity and
its teachings. The Indian Catholic Bishops join all groups that
appeal for immediate action in this matter by the Board of Film
Censors and Civic Authorities. Any reference to the Religious tenets
and traditions should be referred to the respective Leaders of the
Religion. The Bishops join all those who demand a ban on such movies
and offer full support to people who work for the protection of
the fundamental faith of Christians that Jesus Christ died on the
Cross and God raised Him to life. With this Faith, Christians have
served humanity with love, compassion and service of all people.
People of goodwill everywhere must respect this Faith of the Christian
Community.
Issued by:
Rev.
Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
C.B.C.I
Condemns the Bomb Blast In Varanasi Appeals for Peace.
New
Delhi, March 10, 2006
The
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, (CBCI) the apex body of the
Catholic Church condemns the bomb attack on 7th March, in Varanasi,
U.P. killing 16 people and injuring hundreds of others.
We pray for the deceased and convey our heartfelt condolences to
those who lost their near and dear ones in this most inhuman act
of violence in the holy city.
“We consider acts of violence can never find solution to any
problem however genuine it may be. On the contrary it can only escalate
feelings of outrage and bring more estrangement among people who
are most vulnerable in society,” Said Archbishop Stanislaus
Fernandes, the Secretary General of the CBCI.
The bomb blast that claimed many lives in a sacred place –
Sankat Mochan temple – in Varanasi is the most glaring example
of irreligious elements who have scant regard for religious sentiments
and values. And such unhealthy trends must be curbed at the earliest
for the good of society.
“We appeal to the state and the central Government to take
all possible measures to create a sense of security among people
of all faiths and so that they can carry on with their daily life
and activities. We also appeal to the people to exercise utmost
restrain and not to give into anything that would precipitate the
situation” added the Secretary General of the CBCI.
Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
Media/Information Office
Archbishop
Stanislaus Fernandes is elected new Secretary General of CBCI
Bangalore
, February 14, 2006
The 27th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops' Conference
of India (CBCI) on Monday elected its Vice President II and the
Secretary General for the next two years. Bishop Isaac Mar Cleemis
of Tiruvalla diocese is Vice President II and Archbishop Stanislaus
Fernandes of Gandhinagar Archdiocese, Gujarat is the new Secretary
General. Earlier Cardinal Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi Archdiocese
was re-elected as President of CBCI while Bishop Gratian Mundadan
of Bijnor diocese as the new Vice President I.
Various Commissions of the CBCI presented their biennial report
on Monday and Tuesday highlighting their activities in empowering
the marginalized, women, youth and the laity.
For more than fifty years, the Christian community has been earnestly
appealing to the Central Government to grant equal constitutional
rights for Christians of Scheduled Castes Origin on par with the
Hindu and the Sikh Dalits. It is regrettable that successive Governments
in the Centre have not addressed this serious concern of the community.
The CBCI Commission for ST/SC/BC continues to persuade the political
leadership at the Centre to ensure equal rights to Christians of
Scheduled Caste origin who have been discriminated on the basis
of their religious faith.
Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
CBCI
Commissions highlight Church's services to the marginalized, youth,
women and laity
Bangalore , February 14, 2006
The Youth Commission of CBCI has two wings, the Indian Catholic
Youth Movement (ICYM) and Young Christian Students -Young Student
Movement (YCS-YSM). The ICYM in its history has elected for the
first time a lady President, Ms. Ashrita Arokiam from Hyderabad
for the next two years. Under the leadership of ICYM, a delegation
of 200 youth participated in World Youth Day Celebrations held in
Germany in August 2005. The Christian youth in India are committed
to development of the country by actively participating in social
awareness programme such as peace promotion, HIV/AIDS prevention
drive, polythene eradication drive etc.
The CBCI Commission for Women in its report highlighted the major
activities carried out in the past two years. Sr. Lilly Francis,
the Secretary of the Commission said that the women were made aware
of their value as human beings with equal rights and dignity in
society. The Commission has worked for gender sensitization and
for justice through seminars and symposia organized in the various
parts of the country.
The CBCI General Body Meeting will be concluded tomorrow, February
15, and the Final Statement of the 27 th General Body Meeting will
be released by the Office Bearers of the CBCI at a Press Conference
at St Peter's seminary, Bangalore.
Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
Cardinal
Toppo re-elected CBCI President
Bangalore
, February 13, 2006:
After a historic public function and civic reception accorded to
all the delegates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI)
on Feb 12, at the St. Joseph's High School grounds, which was attended
by Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, the Governor of Karnataka; Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy,
the Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Justice Cyriac Joseph, the
Chief Justice of Karnataka, the Meeting continued today as well.
The highlights of today are the election of Office Bearers for the
next two years and presentation of Reports of the Regional Bishops'
Councils.
The reports of the Regional Bishops' Councils mainly focused on
their attempts to implement various policies and programs of the
CBCI at the regional level. The entire Catholic Church in India
is divided into twelve regions and members of each region periodically
meet to discuss matters concerning to them.
The election to various offices in the CBCI took place as per the
statutes. The Assembly re-elected Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo,
the incumbent President for a period of another two years as its
national President. Cardinal Toppo is the Archbishop of Ranchi which
is the heartland of the Tribal Christians of central India. He has
already served the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India as its
president meritoriously for the past two years and his reelection
reflects the wide acceptance and the appreciation of his leadership
within the Catholic Church of India.
Bishop Gratian Mundadan CMI of Bijnor Diocese was elected Vice President
I of CBCI. The election of Vice president II and of the Secretary
General of CBCI is awaited.
The Catholic Church in India comprises of three ritual traditions:
the Latin Church currently headed by Archbishop Oswald Gracias of
Agra, Syro-Malabar Church by Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, its Major
Archbishop and the Syro-Malankara Church by Archbishop Cyril Baselios,
its Catholicos. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI)
is the national apex body representing all three ritual Churches.
Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
The
Catholic Church recommits to educate the Marginalized
Bangalore
, February 10, 2006:
The Catholic Bishops of India now gathered in Bangalore for their
27th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of
India continued on the third day to deliberate on the central theme:
Catholic Education and Church's concern for the marginalized. They
clarified for themselves the true meaning and significance of Catholic
education in today's world. Education has always been a central
concern of the Church down the ages, and it is considered to be
the preeminent means of integral development of persons, community
building and human formation. The fundamental characteristics of
Catholic education institutions therefore are: a place of integral
education of the human persons through a clear educational project
of which Christ is the foundation; its ecclesial and cultural identity;
its service to society; the traits of which should characterize
the educating community."
The Bishops also discussed with great concern the urgent need to
bring the light of education to those who are socially, economically,
culturally and politically marginalized in India. It is a matter
of much distress to realize that the marginalized are further discriminated
by casteism, exclusion, displacement, lack of opportunities, forced
migration, child labour, unemployment, faulty development paradigms,
fierce competition in society, superiority complex of dominant classes
and ethnic groups, fundamentalism and globalization.
The concerns of the Church are also the concerns of people, especially
the poor and marginalized. The church in India will therefore reiterate
its commitment to educate and capacitate persons to become integral
and holistic capable of making objective and conscientious choices
for the good of the society. Our education will lay emphasis on
gaining intellectual acumen and achieving emotional maturity of
people who can play decisive role in socio-political dynamics of
our country.
It
is an undeniable fact that the Church in India has been at the service
of the marginalized through its network of institutions in rural
areas; in fact 75% of the students catered to in the Church institutions
come from the economically weaker sections of society. However,
there is a need for a renewed focus on the marginalized as there
is an increase in their number in the country today. In the coming
years, therefore, the Church in India intends to treat these marginalized
groups as high priority targets for its education intervention in
society. The Tribals, Dalits, women and economically and socially
oppressed people of all faiths and cultures and differently abled
persons will be given preference over others in our education institutions.
While
there are Catholic education institutions in urban areas that reach
out to poorer neighborhoods to spread literacy, there is going to
be a reinforcement of such an approach with a view to integrate
greater social responsibility to all those who benefit from our
institutions. The Church in India plans to seek the active collaboration
of all stake holders in its education institutions to make this
commitment to the marginalized a true reality.
Issued
by
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
Catholic
Bishops make in-depth study of catholic education in India
Bangalore
, February 9, 2006:
The Indian Catholic Bishops have gathered at St. Peter's Pontifical
Seminary, Bangalore for the 27th General Body Meeting of Catholic
Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) from February 8-15. The theme
of the CBCI General Body Meeting is, 'Catholic Education and Church's
concern for the marginalized'.
The biennial meeting of the Catholic Bishops of India began on February
8 with the inaugural Eucharist presided over by His Excellency Pedro
Lopez Qunitana, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and concelebrated
by Cardinal Toppo, the president of the CBCI, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil,
Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, over 160 bishops and
a host of priests representing a cross section of the Clergy here
in Bangalore
The Keynote address on Catholic Education and Church's concern for
the marginalized was given by Archbishop Thomas Menamparambil of
Guwahati. He began his presentation with some startling data on
the education front in India. It is quite distressing to know that
half of the world's illiterates are in India and nearly 75% students
drop out of school system with girl children topping the list. In
spite of all the plans and schemes by the Government and all other
agencies involved in bringing education to the masses it is pathetic
that such a situation still remains in India.
The Archbishop of Guwahati said that the Christian education promotes
a culture that does not yield to pragmatism, consumerism and hedonism
but offers values which generate the human attitudes of freedom
that includes respect for others, conscious responsibility, sincere
and constant search for truth, a calm and peaceful critical spirit,
a spirit of solidarity and service, a sensitivity of justice, a
sense of being called to become agents of change in society. He
termed parents, lay people and religious as agents of education
who contribute immensely in the formation of good citizens. Archbishop
said that the Catholic schools are for all, but gives special attention
to the weakest, socially and economically disadvantaged and young
people left to fend for themselves.
Archbishop
Menamparampil said that 55 percent of catholic educational institutions
are today in rural areas , 42 percent of students come from families
below poverty line, another 33 percent are of the lower income group
and 25 percent from Dalits and tribals. He said that the Catholic
institutions educate over 10 million students among them 62 percent
of students are non-Christians, 23 percent of them are catholic
and 5 percent of them are of other Christian Churches. Archbishop
told the gathering that the catholic institutions educate 54 percent
of students who are girls. He called for quality education for all-round
development of the human person, mental acuteness, social awareness,
healthy relationships, refined manners, dignified self-presentation,
intelligent and clear self-expression.
Sr. Mirabelle, A.C. in her response to the keynote address said
that education is not for gaining power but rather it is for developing
skills of relating well with other people. Sr. Mirabelle said that
the education services of the religious personnel must be integrated
in the overall plan of the local church. She proposed that the self
confidence would bring a desired change in the Catholic Educational
System and bishops and heads of Religious Institutes must take leadership
roles to change the situation.
Dr. Victor Louis Anthuvan in his presentation highlighted the Church's
concern for the marginalized at length and said that the new technologies
have modified the standard of living. He said that India can be
empowered only by educating its people as education is the foundation
on which India must build its edifice of future. He said that the
Christians in India, particularly the Catholic Church has played
a remarkably significant role in providing modern education to Indian
children and youth. If there are leaders with knowledge, skills
and commitment in politics, education, science, business and in
other areas, a great deal of credit should go to the Church leaders
and the organizations promoted by them, he asserted.
Dr. Prakash Louis in his response to Dr. Louis said that the marginalized
people want equal educational opportunity in Christian and
in other public institutions at all levels; they want equal employment
opportunity; they want equal opportunity in leadership; they want
themselves and their children to be really children of God, citizens
of this country and members of the society and members of the believing
community. Like others they want ownership, access and control over
resources; they want the constitutional rights and scriptural rights
bestowed upon them; they want to live faithfully to the call of
Christ and thus remain faithful to the believing community.
Issued by:
Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
Theme:
Catholic Education and the Church's Concern for the Marginalized
New Delhi, February 08, 2006:
Introduction:
The 27th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops' Conference
of India (CBCI) is scheduled to be held at St. Peter's Pontifical
Seminary in Bangalore, Karnataka, from 8-15 February 2006.
The General Body Meetings of the CBCI are a regular feature of the
activities of the Catholic Bishops of India and are held once in
two years in the dioceses of India. At every General Boyd Meeting,
a particular theme of relevance to the Church and the nation is
discussed by the leaders of the Church.
The theme for the meeting this year is Catholic Education and the
Church's Concern for the Poor.
Over 160 Catholic Bishops of India are expected to attend the CBCI
General Body Meeting in Bangalore. Others who attend the meeting
do discuss various issues of importance and relevance in their specific
areas of work are the Executive Secretaries of the CBCI Commissions,
Representatives of the Religious Men and Women and of the Lay Faithful.
The CBCI has over 200 members-bishops from the Latin, Syro-Malabar
and the Syro-Malankara ecclesial traditions in the country among
whom are 155 heads of the dioceses, of whom there are 3 cardinals,
29 Archbishops and 123 bishops. There are 2 co-adjutor bishops (one
of whom is a co-adjutor Archbishop), 12 auxiliary bishops and 36
retired bishops. Presently Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo, Archbishop
of Ranchi is President of CBCI. Archbishop Jacob Toomkuzhy of Trichur
and Major Archbishop Moran Mor Cyril Baselios of Trivandrum are
Vice- Presidents. Bishop Percival Fernandez of Bombay is the General
Secretary.
The General Body Meetings last generally for about 8 days. On the
first day there is an inauguration of the meeting during which
the President of the CBCI addresses his fellow bishops and the Secretary
General places before the house the report of the previous two years.
The Apostolic Nuncio to the country, a regular invitee, also addresses
the bishops on this occasion on the key areas of concern in the
life of the Church in the country. Messages from the President of
the Republic of India, the Holy Father, Heads of the Congregations
of Oriental Churches and Propaganda Fide are read before the assembly.
Then there is the Key Note Address given by an expert on the theme
followed by questions and clarifications on the same. Workshops
on the main theme follow, reports of which are then placed before
the bishops. Reports from the 12 Regional Councils of Bishops, from
the CBCI Commissions and National Centres are another regular and
important feature of these meetings. Finally, a 'Final Statement'
is prepared by a team of bishops on the basis of the various inputs,
reflections and discussions, which is then discussed and passed
by the house. This Final Statement is then disseminated widely among
the People of God throughout the country and shared with fellow
Episcopal Conferences in Asia and the World.
Catholic Church and Education:
"All men of whatever race, condition or age, in virtue of their
dignity as human person, have an inalienable right to education."
(Vat II, GE. 1)
Education is one of the best gifts of the Church in India
which it can offer to young people for the integral development
into fully human beings, capable of leavening the society and promoting
God's kingdom of justice, love, harmony and peace.
In this venture we need to give of our best, since the future of
our children and of our country hinges on it. As Gandhji, the Father
of the Nation , once said, "the first thing needful is sufficient
number of self-sacrificing people who would devote themselves to
educational work as a labour of love….. and there is no calling
so sacred."
It is well know that the Catholic Church in India has made and continues
to make a great impact, especially in the areas of education, healthcare
and work for the poor, disadvantaged and downtrodden. The quality
of education provided by her educational institutions is borne out
by their considerable reputation. Today, the Church looks forward
confidently to serving the people ever better through her schools,
which she regards as a privileged means of promoting the formation
of the whole person, whatever the difficulty she might have to face.
Catholic institutions, in general, do provide a service that is
truly civic and apostolic. For example, in recent years, there has
been a noticeable clarity of focus on our mission. There is evidence
of greater sensitivity to the plight of the poor both in rural and
urban areas. With around 59 percent of our institutions situated
in rural areas and 41 percent in urban areas, we cater to over
10 million students of whom 42.5 percent belong to the poor and
32.5 percent to the lower income groups. Our services of education
extends to students of all religions without any discrimination
– 28.3 percent Christians, 52.9 percent Hindus, 8.4 percent
Muslims and 10.4 percent who belong to other categories.
Concern for the Marginalized:
The Church has become synonymous with quality education and care.
While we are quick to recognize, and even enhance this image, we
must strive all the more to ensure that this rich heritage belongs
to all, especially those that cannot afford quality education for
no fault of theirs. We must strive to be good stewards of all the
resources that God has placed in our hands and therefore not save
the best schools for a few. Perhaps the best or the greatest potential
is in the not-so-fortunate ones.
The marginalized communities are characterized by illiteracy and
a large number of dropouts from schools for a variety of reasons.
Since the parents themselves are not educated, there is no motivation
for the education of children. Because of poverty, the children
are forced to take up some odd, sometimes hazardous, jobs in order
to supplement family income. Even if they are admitted into schools,
the rising cost of education is forbidding. Moreover, the atmosphere
at home and the neighborhood is not very conducive for the child
to pursue studies.
Though basic education is compulsory, the government, due to the
policies of privatization, is forced to withdraw funding for education.
Thus education is denied to the marginalized, who are moneyless.
Hence their development and social mobility are severely curtailed.
Targets should be set to educate all the children at least up to
higher secondary level. The infrastructure for such purpose is available
with the Church. Only the political will is lacking. Parents must
be sensitized about the importance and benefits of education. For
this purpose, social awareness must be created. The community must
be involved in the process. Residential and financial facilities
must be provided. Coaching and guidance should be provided for those
students who require such assistance.
Conclusion:
All of us involved in education can have access to current thinking
on schooling, the documents of the Church, and the inspiring ideals
and proposals that are painstakingly worked out at consultations
and seminars. There is no lack of ideas and guidelines.
In recent years there have been several attempts at revitalizing
the Catholic Schools. In April-May 1999 there was a National Consultation
on Catholic Education held in Bangalore, and another in 2002 in
New Delhi. These were organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference
of India (CBCI) Commission for Education and Culture.
The final statement/message and action plan of the above two consultations
reveal that we are not without a national-level vision, excellent
proposals and guidelines and practical lines of action. These proposals
highlighted the need for sharing a common vision, building unity
through a spirituality of communion, creating a sense of solidarity
with the poor, establishing better coordination and networking,
introducing systematic planing, implementation and evaluation, and
adopting a participatory style of management.
However, taking a look at what infact has been done after these
consultations, it would appear that we do not either communicate
our plans adequately or make determined and united effort to put
them into practice.
Hence, it was felt that there is a strong need for a clear vision
and policy in our educational apostolate, especially with regard
to the underprivileged section of society. It is this realization
that has motivated the CBCI to choose as the theme for its forthcoming
General Body Meeting to be held in Bangalore from February 8-15,
2006: Catholic Education and the Church's Concern for the Marginalized.
Logo:
The logo of the General Body Meeting brings out in bold relief this
concern of the Church for its marginalized people:
The Church (Cross)
Reaches out (Cross bends and reaches out)
To the Marginalized (Village houses)
And educates ( Children)
With the light of Christ (Lamp)
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
Catholic
Church to focus on “Catholic Education and the Church’s
Concern for the Marginalized” during 27th General Body Meeting
of CBCI
The 27th General Body Meeting of Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of India (CBCI) is scheduled to be held at St. Peter’s Seminary,
Bangalore in Karnataka from February 8-15, 2006. The Catholic Bishops’
Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body of the Catholic Church
in India will focus on, “Catholic Education and the Church’s
Concern for the Marginalized” during its forth coming General
Body Meeting in Bangalore.
The General Body Meeting is a regular feature of the activities
of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and is held once
in two years in the various cities of India. At every General Body
Meeting, a particular theme of relevance to the Church and the nation
is discussed by the leaders of the Church.
The theme of the General Body Meeting of the CBCI, “Catholic
Education and the Church’s Concern for the Marginalized”
is chosen for its relevance to the life and work of the Church in
India. The Church leaders want to deliberate on Catholic Education,
deepen their insights on education and plan for a better approach
to education in the country with a special focus on the poor and
the marginalized.
The President of CBCI, His Eminence Telesphore Toppo is on his way
to Rome to participate in the International Congress on Charity
organized by the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” specially
in light of the first encyclical of the new Pope called, “Deus
Caritas Est” which menas ‘God is Love’. It will
be released on January 25, 2006. Besides His Eminence is also a
member of the post-Synodal Council which regularly meets in Vatican
to prepare the final document of the Synod of Bishops of October
2005.
The CBCI has 205 member bishops from the Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara
and Latin-rite Churches. Among these three are Cardinals, 29 Archbishops,
36 retired Bishops and 137 Bishops.
Presently Cardinal Telesphore Toppo is the President of the CBCI,
Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy is Vice President I, Archbishop Cyril
Mar Baselios is Vice President II, Bishop Percival Fernandez is
the Secretary General and Rev. Dr. Donald H.R. De Souza is the Dy.
Secretary General.
Dr.
Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
Catholic
Council of India (CCI) elects new Office Bearers.
New Delhi, January 12, 2006
The Catholic Council of India (CCI) held its 8th General Body Meeting
in Vailankani in Tamil Nadu from January 6-8 and has elected new
Office Bearers for the next four years. Prof. Abraham Arakal from
Allepy, Kerala and Ms. Muriel Schooner from Jodhpur in Rajasthan
have been elected as new Vice-Presidents of CCI.
The CCI has a President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a
Treasurer as Office Bearers. The President of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of India, His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal Topppo, is
ex-officio President of the Catholic Council of India. The two Vice
Presidents, one of whom is always a woman, are elected by the General
Body of the CCI. The Secretary and the Treasurer are elected by
the members of the Executive Committee.
The CCI is a body, religious and charitable in nature, and established
by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), comprising
representatives of laity, religious, priests and bishops, who come
together in the Sprit of Jesus Christ to pool their experiences,
reflections and suggestions on the vital issues concerning the Church
and the country, so that all in the Church may engage themselves
in common action to carry out Christ’s mission ever more relevantly
in the nation.
The members of the CCI include Chairmen of the Regional Bishops
Councils, the Deputy Secretary General of CBCI, the Secretaries
of the Commissions of CBCI and Directors of CBCI national centers,
besides lay women and men elected by the Diocesan Pastoral Councils.
There are about 350 members of the Catholic Council of India.
Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
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