By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, May 29, 2022: Catholics in India seem euphoric after Pope Francis named a Dalit from the country among the 21 new cardinals.
Archbishop Anthony Poola of Hyderabad, who was born in a Dalit Catholic family in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is among the two new cardinals from India. The other Indian is Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman. The Pope will create the cardinals at a consistory on August 27.
A Dalit cardinal is “certainly a cause of pride and joy for Dalits who have been requesting the Vatican for so long,” says Sister Manju Devarapalli, secretary of the National Dalit Christian Watch (NDCW). The Carmelite Missionaries nun explains that Cardinal-elect Poola is the first Dalit and first Telugu “who has been elevated to a greater servanthood” to help the Dalit community better.
Archbishop Poola’s elevation comes amid talks about an Indian Dalit Rite in the Catholic Church and protests by Dalit groups for bishops from their community.
A Dalit cardinal was also their demand for decades and they stepped it up after Pope John Paul II on October 21, 2003, made Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, the then archbishop of Ranchi, a prince of the Church. Cardinal Toppo claimed that the new title recognized India’s tribal Church.
Such recognition for the Dalits took 19 years more years, but it has made Jesuit Father Irudhaya Jothi, , “extremely happy.” The grassroots activist now working in northeastern India says it is “a proud moment for the Dalit community in the world.”
Father Jothi and Ravi Kumar, a Dalit leader from Vijayawada diocese in Andhra Pradesh, say Archbishop Poola’s appointment shows that Pope Francis continues to give recognition and representation to the Churches at the periphery and the marginalized communities.
Father Jothi said he prays that the Church gives “an emphatic hearing” to the standing demands of the Dalits, “the most exploited community.”
Sister Sujata Jena, a lawyer activist, too prays that the Dalit cardinal will bring in hope and open new paths for the empowerment of “the age old marginalized community” to become “children of God equal to others.”
The member of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary told Matters India that the “groundbreaking news” shows the Indian Dalit Christians’ long journey of courage and determination has finally borne fruits. She said the news made her pause to “thank the Lord for the fitting gift to the Dalit Catholic community in India.”
Sister Jena, however, regrets that Dalits, who form more than 65 percent of Catholics in India, have been victims of structural injustice both in the Church and society.
She says the Dalit cardinal has “a greater responsibility to take up the millennium-old exploited community’s concern to the mother Church. The Dalit Catholics will look up to their own cardinal for a greater understanding and justice and equality as the Church globally moves toward the Synodal Church.”
Franklin Caesar Thomas, a Supreme Court lawyer and one of the founders of the National Council of Dalit Christians, says the entire Dalit Christian community in India appreciates Pope Francis’ gesture to appoint a Dalit cardinal. “In the same way, let the Church try to bring more Dalit bishops in Tamil Nadu by removing the caste and untouchability mindset,” Thomas told Matters India.
John Dayal, veteran journalist and lay leader, says the two new promotions “auger well for the Church in India.” The new Dalit cardinal sends “an important signal to the marginalized community which feels it has not got from Rome or CBCI [Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India] the recognition they deserve,” he told Matters India.
Dayal points out the Church in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, called the Telugu states, have “a very lively and expanding Church.”
A C Michael, former Member of Delhi Minorities Commission and president of Federation of Catholic Associations of Archdiocese of Delhi, says Pope Francis has cleared a misunderstanding that cardinals in India have to be representatives of India’s three ritual Churches. “I have an issue with such representational selections,” he said and added that he does consider Archbishops Poola and Ferrao as representative of Dalit or East Indian communities.
Dayal says the two appointments meet people’s demands while “being a very political response by the Pope to the situation in India.” He points out that Goa and the entire Konkan belt in western India have become the center of the conversion bogey. The Goa government will soon pass an anti-conversion law, he says.
When we deal with the successors of tge Apostles,how secular our minds work ! The Bishops or Cardinals are not appointed to ameliorate the living standards of the faithful,though they can try to help in any way possible. What more can be the achievement of a priest or bishop or cardinal than their people ( the sheep)’ s increase in the strength of faith in Christ and the determination to live a humble and holy life ? If this is is not achieved, what fun in Brahmin or Shudra or Dalit Claims ?
Some kind of discrimination or looking down upon some section exists . It can go only if we the faithful live a Christian life. Even in so called good families we find some attitude of preference to sons ; though the three Rites are one and the same , some do not like to have marriage alliance with people outside their Rite. All these sins can disappear only if we wholeheartedly and selflessly follow Christ and His Teachings.
In a fast changing world, to be a Cardinal is a tough calling. Wishing the Cardinal-designates strength and stamina.
An office for the CBCI + sc/st is ridiculous. The clergy unfortunately , creating offices sending across a vibe of casteism….its the need of certain priests who instead of acting as unifying agents instigating the ordinary faithful for individual gains
Unfortunate…
Is he elevated to be a cardinal because he is a dalit or is it to appease the agitating dalits?
Unfortunate to note the use of the term Dalit, Matters of India is also espectedcted to be conscientious to avoid such expression while editing. The Christian media has a vital role of detoxificating such segregating expressions. Everyone is sons and daughters of God the Father.. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
You are neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, female nor male. For You are a new creation in Jesus Christ you are all one in Jesus Christ. Try to promote this against racism feeling and cast and tribes feeling. We are deviating our Christians especially to catholic brethren by doing social acts, according to casts dalit brahman division. We need to create a catholic Christian society then only we can move ahead with the Gospel value. Although there would be social strategically diffrent culturally different but no problem. Serving mean to all people especially to catholic brethren who utter poor they neither get help from government neither Church helps. Our catholic Christian school is high figh but our catholic children can not study in catholic school. Lot of expensive. Our church leaders are not thinking of future leaders of Church how can come up future leaders if they are not supported and not getting good education. I feel very sorry.
Two Cardinals from India. A really proud moment for the Church in India, and the country. The total Christian population in this country is only 2.4 percent of the total population as per 2011 Census. The country may also feel proud to say the Church now have elevated two men as Cardinals. Pope Francis deserves our whole hearted thanks for this appointment. Let us wish the men all success as Cardinal of the Church.
In his comments Issac Gomes mentions “there is no casteeism in Christianity…” That must be the spirit of every follower of Jesus.
But what is the REALITY?
1) The history of the Indian church shows how the marginalized communities (SC, ST) have been sidelined and ill-treated for ages.
2) There are certain Catholic graveyards in the South that have raised walls between the Dalits and others. Even in death the Dalits are not spared. What a pity!!!
3) Some churches had separate sitting place for Dalits.
4) My own native Parish (Somanur in Coimbatore diocese) was locked and sealed by the Court officials for 7 to 8 years due to the infight between Chettiar and Chetty communities.
5) Priests belonging to both the communities were the “instigators”. Is not surprising and shocking ???
6) Why the CBCI has a separate commission for “Dalits and Minorities”??? What is it’s history?
So, casteeism is still present in many forms in the Indian Catholic Church. This the BITTER REALITY.
Dear Editor
Catholic Leadership has a combination of various people, culture, caste and race with its uniqueness. Appointment of Leasers does not have to be rooted in one caste to another. If you consider case as basis, we may not lead at all. One place may have one caste in high population and another May be minority group. It is natural that minority group may feel that their representation should be there. Common people may not have deep rooted problems or being aware of issues. A group of men and women who want to divide and rule have a tendency to fabricate truth and evade life clouded with division. The rule of thump is oppressed groups will become oppressors and vice versa. Thus, the appointment of Indian cardinals should be viewed as global recognition of our able leaders and their contribution to Mother Church than case uplift meant. The narrow view of cardinal appointment may lead to further division than unification. I like to conclude that Our leadership in the global arena of Mother Church may contribute to the growth of local churches and its culture with dedication and commitment.
Pope Francis has been a “Trend Setter” always. For example, he lived in a rented Apartment as a Cardinal. From the time he assumed his office as the Pope in the Vatican, he has never stepped into the Papal Palace to live there. He lives in a two-room suite in Martha’s hostel.
He repeatedly speaks that the clergy must have the “smell of the sheep”. He selects candidates for the position of Bishops and Cardinals with a great hope that they also lead a life of commitment, service to the needy, marginalized and oppressed people and work for their holistic development and empowerment.
But…how far the newly elevated candidates fulfill the expections of the Pope? is a million dollar question.
CONGRATULATIONS to the two new Indian Archbishops who have been called to the Apostolic Ministry for the Universal Church. They have the competence, simplicity and the orientations of Pope Francis to lead the Church. To reduce them to the caste or community representatives is talking small and trivializing the actions of the Holy Spirit. Hope the Indian Church leaders are more mature to understand, appreciate and welcome such initiatives of Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to be associated with these individuals from early years. Their personal credibility, ecclesial perception and inclusive leadership are well known. The role of the Indian Church is better recognized at the level of the universal Church. The appeal to the CBCI to play more universal role has always been rejected by the small men at the helm of affairs.
Once one is made a Bishop or Cardinal, one cannot officially dabble with casteeism. He is a Bishop or Cardinal for the WHOLE Christian Community and cannot selectively cater to one community. Mostly importantly, there is no casteeism in Christianity where through one Baptism we are all equal components of the Church. No one is high, no one low. Also where in his selection of Archbishop Anthony Poola as Cardinal, has the Pope mentioned that he is a Dalit Christian and will service the Dalits? Some vested interests are trying to divide the Christian community of India which according to the last 2011 census constitutes barely 2.3% of the total Indian population. This divisive church politics will break the Indian Christian community into pieces – each community will have to fend for itself and in the process get wiped out.
Till these latest appointments in India we have had Cardinals as if representatives of three rituals only – with these appointments the Holy Father has cleared these misunderstandings. I have an issue with these kinds of representational selections. Hence, I would not like to see Archbishop Anthony Poola and Archbishop Filipe Neri Antonio as a Dalit Representative or East Indian Communities’ Representative respectively.
I would like to see these as the importance of Christian population in the region of Andhra-Telegana and Goa -wherein combined population of Christians in these 3 states could easily be over 50% of 3 states’ population . If we go purely by numbers- Telugu speaking Christians will outnumber the Goan Christians. Goa has little over 3.5 lakhs Christians whereas Telugu speaking Christians are over 30 lakhs.
This could be one of the reasons why the Indian government’s irrespective of which party ruled, has always been opposed to granting SC status to those who convert Christianity.
You never know this appointment of a Cardinal in Hyderabad may bring this long pending demand of Christians to a reality.
But I must add that I am a bit disappointed that the national capital of India is still being deprived of a Cardinal!
A C Michael
President, Federation of Catholic Associations of Archdiocese of Delhi (Affiliated to All India Catholic Union)
National Coordinator – United Christian Forum, India (UCF India)
National Coordinator – Minority Affairs of All India Catholic Union (AICU)
Vice Chairman – Media & Communication, National Council of YMCAs of India
Mobile: +91-9818155290 I acmichael60@gmail.com
While rejoicing at the appointment of two Indians as Cardinals, that too from areas not previously covered, one must wait and watch to see how these worthies fulfill their duties. Past experiences are not very encouraging. One should also await a detailed analysis of the 21 new Cardinals to ascertain what criteria Pope Francis used for these appointments.
Pope Francis seems to have made a “purposeful decision” in selecting a Dalit Archbishop for the position of a Cardinal. His initiative for an “inclusive church” is appreciated. The Pope has been taking many such initiatives from the time he became Pope.
However, all those who are jubilant on this elevation must find satisfactory and credible answers to the following questions:
1) What are the achievements of Archbishop Poola (as a priest and Archbishop) towards the empowerment of Dalit community in his Archdiocese?
2) What are his “concrete plans” to continue to empower Dalits in India?
3) Can his “achievements and concrete plans” be made public?
In the absence of these, his elevation to the new position seems to be an EYE WASH and a DRAMA”. This is my strong personal opinion.