By Felix Sahayaraj
New Delhi, Nov 22, 2021: The need for Christians to move from blind faith to mature living of Christ’s values in society was stressed at a function organized by Vidyajyoti theologate in Delhi.
The annual convocation and seminar conducted Vidyajyoti’s Distance Education Program in Theology was attended by 54 lay people from Europe and Malaysia, besides India. They awarded certificates for completing the course, Among them 44 attended the November 21 program online.
Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, the chief guest, lauded Vidyajyoti for conducting the “meaningful program” to equip the laity. The archbishop, who was a student of Vidyajyoti, stressed the need to bear witness to Jesus in the pluralistic world, through faith, truth and love. He reiterated that the Christians learning theology is part of the baptismal process.
Jesuit Father Rajkumar Joseph, director of Distance Education Program, explained the need for Christians to move from childhood catechism to adult catechism and from blind faith to matured faith. He hailed martyr Devasahayam as a model for all Christians, Devasahayam, who will be canonized next year, was neither a clergyman, nor part of the hierarchy, but a living witness, a catechist and a preacher in his own way., Father Joseph explained.
Bishop Thomas Dabre of Pune in his keynote address asserted that Christian faith is not a private affair but bearing witness to Christ’s values. “We are called to be salt and so we have to make difference in the life of our neighbors. Discerning the Mind of Christ in a pluralistic world is not a monologue but an integral part of our experience,” the prelate said.
Bishop Dabre urged the graduates to equip themselves to witness Christ and dialogue with wider society through personal prayer, Bible and Eucharist.
Panel discussion was another highlight of the day. Vidyajyoti principal Jesuit Father P R. John, moderated the session, where the panelists were two lay women –Annie Puduserry and Deepti Jasmine Xalxo, along with Presentation Sister Prabina. Puduserry spoke of the new challenges of Christians Christian, family life situations and handling catechism classes for modern youth.
Congratulations to Vidyajuoti and to the Participants. It is a pity that only 54 people attended this course, while one would wish that 54000 could have attended. It is a known malady of Catholic Church that theological learning is quasi exclusively a domain of the clergy. This leaves 99% of Catholics only superficially informed of the traits of their faith, limited to some catechism before first communion and to Sunday sermons of their parish priests. One reason why people do not take up theology is that in most poor countries, education is always oriented towards getting a job and earning a living. Theology does not offer you jobs and livelihood! Hence, may be the Church should think how those who study theology can be gainfully also employed in various sectors of economy, and of the life of the Church. Not only in schools and colleges as teachers of faith and life oriented sciences, but also in all offices of the Church’s administrative bodies, with salaries. Of course, there is then the danger that some people will study theology and pass the examinations just to get jobs. Nevertheless, if we can recognize the theologically qualified laity more and more in the affairs of the Church, it would encourage many to take up such studies. In so many previous attempts it has been a failure, because these candidates were offered at the most a catechist’s job with ridiculously small salaries. That is the value that we have been giving to knowledge of our faith.
A good initiative by Vidyajyoti. Years ago the journal had published an editorial saying that the wished for renewal of Vatican II could take place only through an enlightened laity. We could here add the exhortation of St Peter – to your faith add knowledge.
It would have been nice if this report also mentioned the duration of the course and how to apply for it.