By Matters India Reporter
Thannipuzha, March 27, 2023: An advocacy group for Catholic religious in India has termed as unacceptable an archbishop’s conditional offer of support to the Bharatiya Janata Party saying it would have serious long term repercussions.
“We are shocked by the recent statement made by Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany of Tellicherry, given wide coverage by all sections of the media. According to media reports, “Archbishop Pamplany assured to extend support to BJP if the union government raises the price of rubber to 300 rupees,” says a statement of the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace.
The statement was issued by the forum’s executive committee that met March 23-25 at Divya Karunya Ashramam in Thannipuzha near Kalady, Kerala.
The archbishop made the offer at a protest rally of the Catholic Congress at Alakode in Kannur. He said that the archdiocese would help the BJP in Kerala and will overcome the situation of the BJP not having an MP from the state.
“Coming from a member of the hierarchy, such ‘assurances’ are unacceptable, deeply regrettable and bound to have serious long term repercussions. Fascist, fundamentalist and fanatic forces are inimical to the Constitution of India, to the intrinsic values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, to its democratic ethos and to the secular fabric of the country,” says the statement issued by Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash, the forum’s Media Cell In-Charge.
The group of progressive priests, brothers and sisters points out that the BJP, through its insidious divide and rule strategies, makes inroads into all sections of society, including among the Christians.
“This was experienced recently in the elections held in three North Eastern States and earlier in Goa. Its blatant posturing and preparations for forthcoming elections in Karnataka and other states and the National elections of 2024, are indicative of its goal: the establishment of a state based on the ‘Hindutva’ ideology,” the forum states.
Describing the reality as grim, the group notes that for the Hindutva ideology supporters view any citizen who stands up for truth and justice, including human rights defenders and media personnel as anti-national.
They are hounded and harassed, incarcerated and killed; minorities (particularly the Muslims and Christians) are demonized and denigrated, attacked and jailed, bemoans the forum.
“This has been a cruel experience every Sunday for the evangelists and followers of evangelist Christian communities in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and other states,” it says.
“At the receiving end of a brutal and unjust system are the Adivasis and Dalits, fisher-folk, small farmers, migrant workers and the unemployed, the poor and other vulnerable sections of society,” the group points out.
The forum regrets that the Church in India does not play the prophetic role in these troubled times as expected from her on behalf of the suffering in our country.
At the same time, “a large section of the hierarchy, clergy and religious are frightened to take a stand for truth and justice,” the group alleges.
The Syro Malabar church today is far removed from the teachings of Jesus. Unfortunately the upper echlons of the church today are engrossed in a power play. The old adage of the church and state being seperate has to go. In todays world everything is interlinked, hence it is essential that the church elders forgetting the various factions get together and have a common strategy, as some of the problems that the churches face in North India may not be applicable in south and viceversa.
In making the Statement, members of the Forum used the same freedom of expression that the Archbishop resorted to to favour the ruling party. There is no reason why anyone should object to it.
What is intriguing however is the timing of the Statement. We are all familiar with the many scandals including financial that Syro Malabar is beleaguered by. Are such statements by leaders of the Church a way to buy peace with the Party and Government in power? If so, there are bound to be more such statements from individual leaders as well as collectives. Given the long-term agenda of the powers that be, all that one can expect are some short term benefits. But in the long run, the Church will be made to pay for every transgression. Instead of such hobnobbing with the devil, the energy of the Church leadership will be better spent if they take a principled stand as mandated by the Gospel. In the meanwhile, it is absolutely necessary to get over inflated egos and cleanse the system within so that the Christian Community becomes evangelical witnesses to the reign of God in our times.
A citizen of India has the right to question, to express one’ d opinion. I love in a democratic country. Bishop cannot make statement that hurts democracy.
Instead of quoting media reports that are blatantly prejudiced and biased, why don’t the the Forum directly wuote the Arcbidhop? He has never assured support to BJP throughout his speech. And later he has clarified it umpteen times to the media. And he has not spoken for the Church or for Christians, but for rubber farmers from all religious affiliations. I think the so-called advocacy group should conenteate on other important matters.
I am not a supporter of BJP and I do not fully endorse the statements of Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany.
However, I take serious exception to the statements issued by the so called “Forum” and its self appointed leaders. Who gave them the power to criticise Archbishop Pamplany? After all, he is an official of the Catholic Church. Who appointed the Forum to decide what is good for all the Catholics in India.