By Matters India Reporter
Trichy: Ten diocesan priests from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry have released a book on the Church financial administrative culture.
“It was a soul searching process while we prepared the book Akkarai (concern) 2020,” Father Devasagayaraj M Zackarias, one of the authors and a former national secretary of the Indian bishops’ office for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.
The 112-page book with six chapters was released October 22.
“It is not intended to criticize the present situation rather it is for reaching the ideal what is needed for the self-sufficiency of the Church,” said Fr. Zackarias, a member of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry–Cuddalore.
It talks about finance – administrative nature of the Church in Tamil Nadu, the financial perspective of Christianity, financial administration and the Church law, financial necessities of the Church, recommendations and the pre-initiatives undertaken in two of the parishes by two of its authors.
The other contributors are Fathers Charles Karunambaram from Tiruchirappalli, A. Amirthasamy and Cosmon Arockiaraj from Kumbakonam, Thisai Gerry from Palayamkottai, K. George from Kuzhithurai, R. Antony Lourduraj of Pondicherry–Cuddalore, R. Savarinathan and A. Stephen Raj of Tanjore and T. Jerald D’Cruz from Tuticorin.
Father Zackarias pointed out that the authors were the 1990 batch of the Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamalle, Chennai.
“Our 30 years of priesthood and friendship have brought us to reflect and respond to care for the Church,” he told Matters India.
The authors, he added, do not propose entirely new ideas. “They say what is possible and what is practiced in some dioceses and some parishes that reveal ‘It is possible.” He asserted.
Akkarai 2020 is the continuation of Akkarai first part published in 2015 on “Church Leadership.”
The introductory part spells out the financial administration of the Church. It is not just the economy but the signs of faith, values and tendencies. It is to measure the standard of Church leadership, the priest explained.
He also points out that many lay faithful hesitate to question the Church’s accountability and transparency in money matters. “The book is going to be an eye-opener for the laypeople and the Church hierarchy,” Father Cosmon claims.
“We all are accountable and the Church too. The Church institutions have been involved in doing many social activities and the transparency in finance will help the Church to grow people-centered Church,” he adds.
Subatra Christy, who reviewed the book, says the priests dare to examine themselves and to question structure they live.
The feminist and a motivational speaker commended the priests for “taking the initiative to criticize positively so that the Church may continue to grow.”
Albert, a retired Income Tax Commissioner, lauded the priests for their courage to speak about the financial and administrative culture of the Catholic Church. “The words written in the book are practiced by the authors,” he told Matters India.
Father Martin Balaiah, parish priest of Infant Jesus Shrine in Chennai, wonders if it is possible to change the discrepancies in the financial administration of the Church.
He says his experience shows that it is possible.
“It all depends upon the priests who are responsible for the grassroots of the Church administration. The role of the priests is to identify the eligible lay faithful and to form financial monitoring committee, to hand over the money matters.”
The parish priests in each parish can be the advisors of the committee and to concentrate on the pastoral needs of the people, he suggested.
E. Devasagayam, a retired professor of St. John De Britto, Philosophical College in Karumathur, Tamil Nadu, finds Akkarai 2020 “a marvelous and missionary work. There are criticisms and recommendations to the Church in Tamil Nadu.”
Father Thisai Gerry, an author, says the book is “a masterpiece” to open the discussion to speak about the mismanagement in the Church. “Many may oppose it but a good number of responded positively welcoming the book, says the priest, a well-known musician and singer of Christian devotional and social awareness songs.
Father Charles Karunambaram is the convener of the group and the program was held at Our Lady of the Healer’s Church, Karumandapam, Trichy, where he serves as the parish priest.
The book release program was attended by priests, religious and lay faithful from different dioceses.