By M L Satyan
Bengaluru, June 2, 2022: The given title of this write-up is a serious issue of concern in the Catholic Church in India. There is one group saying that there is no casteism in the Catholic Church. Another group asserts the presence of casteism in the Indian Catholic Church.
Biblical background: Let us now look into this issue by comparing the life of Jesus and the early Christian community with the present Church. The disciples of Jesus called him “Lord” and “Master.” He gave a different meaning to these words. By washing the feet of his disciples, he opted to be a servant and not a Master or King. He said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:13-15).
The apostles personalized the values given by Jesus and lived accordingly. The early Christian community followed them. Galatians chapter 3 verses 27-28 says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. The early Christians, following the teaching of the apostles disposed of their possessions and gave to the community for common benefit, so that all members would partake of them in equal portion. They ensured that there were no social and economic inequalities among them.
The reality today: The history of the Indian church shows how the marginalized communities (SC, ST) have been side-lined, discriminated and ill-treated for ages:
• There are certain Catholic graveyards in the southern India that have raised walls between the Dalit Catholics and other caste Catholics. See, even in death the Dalits are not spared. Is it not the height of discrimination? What a pity!
• Until the recent past, some churches in the South had “separate sitting place” for Dalits.
• My own native parish (Somanur in Coimbatore diocese) was locked and sealed by the court officials for about 7 to 8 years due to the infight between Chettiar and Chetty communities.
• Interestingly the priests and nuns belonging to both the communities were the “instigators”. Is it not surprising and shocking?
• Why does the CBCI have a separate commission for “Dalits and Minorities”? There are bishops, priests and lay staff working at this office in Delhi and at diocesan levels. What is its history? What are the Commission’s achievements at the diocesan level, state level and national level?
• Recently, when the bishop of Meerut was appointed as the Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore, the Dalit clergy and laity expressed their opposition in many ways. The group also met the Nuncio. Does this not prove that “casteism” is very much prevalent in the Catholic Church?
So, we can easily conclude that today casteism is still present in many forms in the Indian Catholic Church. This is the bitter reality.
When the Archbishop Anthony Poola of Hyderabad who hails from a Dalit community has been elevated to the position of Cardinal, there was a mixed response. All those who rejoice on this elevation must find satisfactory and credible answers to the following questions:
1) What are the achievements of Archbishop Poola (as a priest, bishop 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?
The readers may say that a priest or bishop/archbishop or a cardinal does not serve one community but they serve everyone. If that is the case, why a large section of Catholics/Clergy are rejoicing and feel jubilant about his elevation just because he is from Dalit community? In the absence of his concrete achievements for the empowerment of Dalit community, his elevation to the new position seems to be meaningless. This is my strong personal opinion.
Pope Francis repeatedly speaks that the clergy must have the “smell of the sheep”. For this, he shows himself as a living example: leads a simple life; visits the Jails in Rome and washes the feet of the prisoners; visits the hospitals to console the patients; visits child care homes to express his paternal love and concern; interacts with the people at his weekly public audience.
He selects candidates for the position of bishops and cardinals with a great hope and expectation that they also lead a life of simplicity, commitment, serve the needy, marginalized and oppressed people and work for their holistic development and empowerment. In the past he had selected many candidates.
Did those candidates fulfill the expectations of the Pope? It is unknown and remains a mystery. In the same way, how far these two new Indian candidates are going to fulfill the expectations of the Pope? It is a million-dollar question. We need to wait and watch.
Finally, I fervently appeal to those who say “there is no casteism in the Catholic Church” to consider the present bitter reality, work hard round the clock, eliminate all types of discriminations within the Church and create a Casteless Church in India.
From time immemorial, there have been sections of people who suffer from discrimination — considered lower and underprivileged. In our country there was strict caste system which perpetuated discrimination. Dalits are the most discriminated and downtrodden. Only missionaries inculcated a sense of right in them and helped them to get education. Yet the inequality and the I’ll treatment remain. When one accepts Christ he accepts all others as his brethren. But accepting Christ , keeping one’s false pride of a “ higher status” under the skin though condemnable continues. It has crept in the Catholic clergy and Catholic community. No one Cardinal or bishop or priest can abolish it. The mindset has to be changed by regular counselling, education, prayer.Definitely some authorities like bishops can take steps with selfless attitude and ready to accept slush and stones that would be thrown from many quarters. Protests, fights, name calling , all these will bring more hatred and more Unchristian thoughts in the minds.
Nothing is going to happen unless all congratulations come together and declare that Caste and region will be abolished by the approval of the Pope. Because every powerful clergy play the role of a mini king, the bishop and cardinals are already the kings. As the Apostles did can these hypocrites share their wealth of their congregations?
When business and money involved there comes the discrimination with castesim and division of humanity even in Christian community . All religions are same dividing Humanity for their business !