By Matters India Reporter
Agra, Sept 14, 2023: Christians and their institutions are increasingly facing hatred being spread by the Hindutva fringe elements in the country, says Father Suresh Mathew, editor of Indian Currents weekly, published from New Delhi.
The Capuchin priest was addressing a seminar in connection with the annual general body meeting of the Association of Catholic Educational Institutions in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
More than 200 principals from various Catholic educational institutions in the two northern Indian states attended the Sept 6-7 program designed to stress how Catholic institutions should read the signs of times and act accordingly.
The event at St. Peter’s College, Agra, took a close look at the rising attacks on educational institutions, especially in northern India.
Talking on the topic “Public Relations and Crisis Management,” Father Mathew, through video presentations, threw light on several potential perils faced by the educational institutions run by Christians and suggested remedies to overcome them.
He stressed the need for public relations officers in every school to deal with the situation whenever the institution faces problems from the Hindutva forces. “The PRO should gather facts, assess situation and prepare appropriate information to offer to the media,” the priest added.
On many occasions, problems are created by the idiosyncrasies of the institutions, Father Mathew said and urged the institution heads to put their houses in order first.
Sharing this view, chief guest Keshav Chaudhary, Additional Commissioner of Police, said children should be taught how to combat injustice in society and be the voice of the voiceless.
“Children should be made aware of their cultural history, their roots and events that shaped their nation, society, family and so on,” the police official suggested.
Carmelite Father Sunny Joseph spoke on transformational leadership and how principals and teachers can bring changes in education through intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration and idealized influence.
Disciplined people, disciplined thought and disciplined action are necessary along with core values, mission and vision for an institution to be successful in all respect, he maintained.
Bishop Gerald Mathias of Lucknow and president of the education association, quoting Nelson Mandela, said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” He opined that educators should be builders of bridges, and make students better humans and humane thus contribute towards transforming society, making the world a better place.
Archbishop Raphy Manjaly of Agra said the archdiocese was happy to host the meeting, adding that the students coming out of Christian institutions should become towering persons of integrity endowed with the spirit of service and stewardship.