By Varghese Alengaden
Indore, Aug 31, 2020: Jesuit Father MK George in his blog “Are you part of mob lynching India’s democracy?” published in Matters India on August 30 proposed two practical steps not to be part of lynching mob. They were, (1) reading critically situation in the nation and (2) speak up for democracy.’ These two practical steps should be first applied into the Church context.
Over the years I have experienced the refusal of the consecrated men and women for any radical change to face the new challenges they face in the fast changing socio-political scenario. Failure of serious reading of books and newspapers make them ignorant of the threats at their door step and incompetent to enter into the main stream of the society to be its SALT.
Even some who do read don’t think critically and analyze the issues objectively. In the absence of critical thinking people get brainwashed by what they read and fed by the irresponsible social media.
In the second step Father George ask us to speak up for democracy. Only people who have prophetic courage can speak up or write fearlessly. In fact the very purpose of the vocation of every consecrated men and women is to be “a prophet to the nations”(Jer 1:4). Unfortunately the Church in India has failed to be prophetic. Only persons who have credibility and who practice what they preach can be prophets.
Father George has used a good expression of living in a democratic style in family, work set up, religious structure and social networking. How can the Church do it when it doesn’t practice democracy within its system? From Rome to the lower level of a village parish and small religious communities democracy is alien, rather anathema. There will be mental lynching of those who speak up for democracy, transparency and accountability. When obedience, rather blind obedience, is made a vow where is the room for speaking up? They will suffer mental lynching by means of punitive transfers, negative propaganda and exclusion.
Why don’t many religious congregations including Jesuits have free democratic election of their provincials and superiors? Why do they make the eye washing of ‘consultative vote’ and make the appointments by a few people sitting in Rome? Why should the provincials appoint the superiors of the communities instead of giving freedom to the members of the communities to elect their superiors of their choice? There are a few congregations practicing the liberal system. Why don’t others try to learn from these progressive communities?
When there is no democracy can members have the courage to risk the wrath of those in leadership? Often the appointed leaders act worse than the authoritarian rulers of the countries. They do things according to their whims and fancies without even consulting their team members. They forget that they are only stewards not owners.
When the Church doesn’t practice democracy, accountability and transparency it can never be prophetic. Dissent will be suppressed as it is done by the political dictators. Yet both the leaders and members of the Church continue to worship Christ but fail to be His disciples.
Living the inclusive and democratic way of participation, transparency, accountability and pluralism would give lot of joy and fulfillment. They will be fearless and free to stand out and speak up.
Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) from its inception in 1993 had been practicing these democratic values in full measure. The strength of the Movement had been its way of life. Its Annual General Body is an open house meeting in which official members, friends, well-wishers and even strangers are welcomed . The copies of the annual statement of accounts, budget, and annual report are given to all who are present. Everyone is free to ask questions and clarifications.
The Movement practices total transparency, democracy, accountability and regular free and frank evaluation. The governing body consists of members of three different faiths and 40 percent women. Because of this way of life and work the Movement is supported by people of all faith and walks of life. Without making appeals to any funding agency the expenses for all activities, salary for the staff and rent for the building are met through people of all faith only because of its democratic way of life with transparency.
The Church in general and the religious in particular can do the mission of Christ fruitfully only by adopting the spirituality of total democracy, total transparency, total accountability and total participation. It is possible and it is always possible. That is the Kingdom of God!
Democracy is no doubt the best way. But we always and everywhere find that in any field, a matter is put to vote and majority that agree become a sort of big— they may harass the minority while implementing the decision. The minority will protest and fight for the way they suggested. Take examples of blasphemy law and anti conversion act. They were passed by a majority of law makers and so they want to implement it. The minority who would have voted against the rules undergo all sorts of difficulties and harassments. Almost all cases where a minority ( minority does not mean religious or language etc but simple number) voice is not respected, where is democracy? For argument sake there is police, there is facility for complaints, there are courts etc etc.
There is urgent need for the people becoming enlightened and civilised ,conscious of respecting other human beings. As long as we are far behind that “ enlightenment and Civilization” , we have to put up with the ills , be they from the government, or Church or any organisation. Jesus did not teach democracy, but love. If love prevails all problems can be solved. Prophetic people must teach love.
When the late Rev D.S. Amalorpavadas, the great champion of the laity, was told that the church is not a democracy, his riposte was “The church is more than a democracy, it is a community”. Unfortunately, as with democracy, this kononia aspect of the church has been systematically killed by clericalism