By M L Satyan
Coimbatore, Dec 20, 2024: Recently Capuchin Father Suresh Mathew, former editor of the Indian Currents weekly and secretary of the Indian Catholic Press Association, has written an open letter to the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. I wish to highlight certain important points from his letter.
• “I humbly request [Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, the president of the CBCI] to emulate Christ’s courage in confronting political authorities when he meets the Prime Minister on December 23 at the CBCI Centre in New Delhi.
• This meeting presents an opportunity for the CBCI president and the Indian Catholic Church leaders to inform Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister, about the growing concerns of Christian persecution in different parts of the country specially in Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• In following Christ’s footsteps, the CBCI president must:
a) Emphasize the importance of religious freedom, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution
b) Highlight the plight of persecuted Christians in Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh and other parts of our country.
c) Promote dialogue and understanding between the government and Christian leaders
• The upcoming meeting between the CBCI president and the Prime Minister on December 23 must yield tangible outcomes, departing from previous instances where such interactions seemed limited to photo opportunities.”
I sincerely appreciate the prophetic journalism practiced by Father Suresh. However, I have different views on this matter. A few spontaneous questions:
• In the first place, why should the CBCI invite Modi, even after knowing that Modi has done literally nothing to Christian community during his tenure as the PM?
• Is the CBCI not aware that Modi is anti-democratic, anti-minorities and pro-corporate?
• On what basis does the CBCI invite such a person? What merit has the CBCI found in PM Modi?
• What is the value system does CBCI follow?
• What importance will the CBCI president give to the Open Letter of Father Suresh?
• Even if the CBCI dares to give a memorandum – highlighting the persecutions of Christians – to Modi, what will be the result?
• Last year during the Christmas Party held at PM Modi’s official residence, all Christian leaders present there, showered their praises on Modi. Did any of them have the courage to speak on the persecution of Christians in India?
• This year also the CBCI will be giving a red-carpet welcome to PM Modi and enact a drama at the CBCI Centre during his visit. CBCI is doing this for what and at whose cost?
• Is there any secret dealing between CBCI and PM Modi?
• Will the CBCI come out with a transparent report on PM Modi’s visit to CBCI Centre?
As per the “Violence Monitor Report 2024,” as many as 673 incidents of violence on Christians were recorded from across 23 states in India.
The data includes physical violence, murder, sexual violence, intimidation and threats, social boycott, damage to religious properties, desecration of religious symbols, and disruption of prayer meetings. The victims include Women, Dalits and Tribals.
Will the CBCI bring this “plight of Christians” to the kind notice of PM Modi? This will remain a million-dollar question.
In my personal view, the CBCI could have invited Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi so that they will voice our concerns inside the Parliament.
For example: a few days ago, Priyanka highlighted in her speech that Hindus and Christians are persecuted in Bangladesh and insisted that the ruling BJP must speak to Bangladesh government and initiate appropriate actions.
Looking at the way the leaders of the Catholic Church in India are dealing with the PM Modi, I strongly feel that they have utterly failed to exercise their prophetic role.
The Church leaders must exercise their responsibility, accountability and transparency. They must come out of their” ivory towers/islands” and prove to the Catholic community that they really stand by them and become voice of the voiceless.
(Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are the writer’s opinion. Matters India does not share them.)
Don’t expect hierarchy to be prophetic. Often hierarchy is the greatest liability of the Church. The Church taking alliance with the State or monarchy is the history. Displeae no one including Satan appears the policy of these higher ups.