By Varghese Alengaden
Indore, May 17, 2020: After reading many of my provoking articles, a close friend of mine wrote to me: “Could I make an observation? All your articles speak of the failures of Church people, especially in this Coronavirus time. A question that came to my mind was ‘What has Varghese done in this time? Has he opened USM building for the laborers?”
The letter writer knows my life and mission. However I was happy that he asked what I am sure many others would have wanted to ask. Asking questions is important to know the truth. Instead of confronting the person directly many choose to spread negative propaganda and gossip about the person.
First of all let me make it clear that USM cannot accommodate any migrant worker because it has no building of its own. Because of the policy of not owning any land and building since its inception in 1993 it has functioned in a rented building. This option was made to counter the institutional and imperial culture of the Church which is contrary to the way of Christ. USM community functions in a limited space and even if we want to welcome a few migrant workers to USM, the landowner who occupies one of the floors will not allow it because of the fear of the spread of Coronavirus.
The option not to have our own building was part of following the Christo centric way of living in insecurity. Those who come to USM community for retreats and training programs learn and get convinced of working without owning an infrastructure.
In this limited space we have conducted training for 8,141 students from 404 schools in 22 states. Similarly 1,184 clergy and religious have so far participated in Christo centric leadership retreats in different groups. All who come to USM learn more from the life of the members than from the theoretical classes.
The rent for the building and salaries of the staff are paid from the contribution from participants of our regular training programs. USM has a policy of not making any project application to any funding agency.
The total transparency in finance and organization, inclusive community where workers and staff share the same meal at the same table, pluralism and inter religious community living motivate and educate all who come to USM. They witness a unique mission in USM.
During normal times USM is open to friends and strangers who want to find a place to stay. Hospitality is the spirituality in USM. The guests, trainees and staff are made at home and live in a free atmosphere. The community and mission function smoothly without written laws as in a family.
USM is not a social work organization. It has neither funds nor personnel for fund raising. USM is a community mission to facilitate young students, teachers, principals, provincials and bishops to come for exposure and training to follow the way of Christ.
It is not a routine institution for retreats and trainings. It is a pluralistic/interreligious community where people of all faiths and cultures live and work for common vision aimed at building a civilization of love. People who are looking for new ways of living and working to promote pluralism, peace and authentic spirituality are welcome here.
Since USM believes in earning the daily bread by daily work (without any corpus fund and fixed deposits) it is facing a challenge now as all training programs are cancelled due to Covid 19 lockdown. Rent for the building and salary for the staff should be given as usual.
It has been our experience that God provides when we work sincerely. Many friends who knew the authenticity of USM mission sent their widow’s mite to support us. They also spoke to many of their friends and they too started sending love offering. We trust in God who provides daily bread. Those who had been to USM and knew the authenticity and credibility will take care of the USM mission.
USM teaches all to be loyal to the prophetic call. We say to all ‘why to fit in when you are born to stand out?’ In USM we ask priests and nuns to follow the way of Christ by abandoning “the old wineskin” and “put new wine in new wineskin.” We remind every one of the teachings of Christ to “worship God in truth and spirit.” To be true to what we speak in our training and what we experiment in USM community, I communicate through my articles as sharing of Good News.
I know the orthodox priests and high priests may condemn me as a heretic. But Christ also was accused of blasphemy. Many thousands of prophets were burnt alive in the early centuries for refusing to fit in and standing out and speaking out.
A few bishops in the past had condemned me also of preaching heresy and asked nuns not to participate in any of my trainings and retreats. At the same time I am happy that there were 18 bishops who had come to USM for retreats and exposure. Several groups of priests and nuns who hold leadership responsibilities come to USM from faraway places for exposure and renewal.
All who came to USM community and witnessed the life and work here have said, “In USM all members practice what they preach. There is no distance between what you speak and what you do.”
My writing may appear to be provoking and critical. But I do it as a prophetic mission and because of the concern for the mission of Christ. The Church has drifted away from Christ. Someone has to speak out. But I write these radical things only after experimenting the same in our life and mission.
I am sorry if I am sounding very radical and provoking. The convincing power of the spirit from the lived realities makes it so. Hence we dare people to dream of doing something creative which no one has done so far. If radical ideas are tested and proved effective in daily living what is written will be naturally provoking.