By chhotebhai
Kanpur, October 26, 2026: The Indian Catholic Forum (ICF) previously gave a synopsis of the papers presented by learned speakers at the recently held “Synodal Church and Secular Society” discernment meet at Kochi, Kerala.
Based on the presentations and the deliberations that ensued, the participants proposed a Vision Statement. The following was the consensus view.
SYNODALITY: This was the thrust of the meeting, and its greatest concern. Though five years have elapsed, meetings have been held, and pious resolutions passed, nothing has changed on the ground. To the contrary there seems to be a backsliding, bolstered by a deeply entrenched clericalism.
It considers the laity as either fund raisers or crowd pullers. There is no genuine attempt at a participatory church, which is the core of synodality – walking together as fellow pilgrims.
Synodality must begin at the primary level of the parish. Besides an attitudinal change there is also need of putting in place systems that ensure genuine participation. The ICF calls for the following concrete measures to be taken:
- Empowerment and proper functioning of Parish Councils in both letter and spirit as envisaged in the Latin Code No536, read with 511-514, and its equivalent in the Oriental Code.
Meetings should be held on a regular basis with the Agenda circulated in advance and the Minutes duly recorded. - In the same spirit Finance Committees (Can 537) should also be activated and empowered.
- The establishment of Grievance Redressal Cells, at least at the diocesan level, should be set up, to avoid unnecessary litigation or scandals erupting in the public domain. This has been a long standing demand of the laity.
- Opaqueness leads to suspicion, gossip and distrust. Transparency is the need of the hour. If there is nothing to hide then there should be nothing to fear.
There should also be a Right to Information (RTI). Tragically almost all correspondence addressed to the hierarchy and even the Papal Nunciature is met by a stoic wall of silence. What then of dialogue, communication and community building? - Concern was also expressed at Catholic Associations in various dioceses being suspended or derecognized. If there are genuine problems they should be sorted out across the table.
Derecognition is not the solution. It only leads to more dissatisfaction.
LAY LEADERSHIP: We should give this utmost importance. Unfortunately, many laity believes that the only leadership role is by being elected/ nominated to ecclesiastical bodies/ institutions.
On the other hand true lay leadership should be in the secular field as envisaged by the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church (cf LG 31).
Hence we appeal to our people to assume leadership roles in business, industry, politics, legal, consumer, human rights and civic affairs; thereby becoming a counter veiling force in both Church and Society.
YOUTH: It was noted with dismay that though the youth are our own progeny they become enslaved to organizations controlled by the clergy.
This is distressing, more so since they are not being equipped to face the challenges of life or the faith. Hence the ICF should target those in the 30-40 age groups to bring up the next line of leadership.
MARRIAGE LAWS: Concern was also expressed about certain provisions in Canon Law pertaining to marriage. While referring to the responsibilities of marriage Canon Law states that ignorance of the same “cannot be presumed after puberty” (Can 1096:1 read with 1095)!
Bearing in mind that today’s generation often attain puberty by 10/11 years, and even much older persons cannot be presumed to understand the meaning of consent and obligations in a marriage bond, this canonical provision should either be repealed in its entirety, or suitably amended.
Another area of concern is that couples entering into a Mixed Marriage (Sister Church) or Disparity of Cult (Non-Christian) must obtain prior permission from the diocesan bishop (cf Can 1124 read with 1125. 1086 and 1129) and its equivalent in the Oriental Code.
When the government places such preconditions for religious conversions we cry foul, calling it an infringement of one’s privacy and the right to choose. Then why such double standards? This canonical provision should be scrapped or duly amended.
A declaration of intent and fidelity to Church teachings should suffice. What happens if the party is not on good terms with the parish priest or bishop? Will such an application be rejected and the parties left to fend for themselves?
ECUMENISM: We were happy to have three speakers, as also some participants, from sister churches. We should junk the British era coinage of “denominations” that is more appropriate for currency notes!
We should use the term “Sister Churches”, as scripture uses the term in plural (cf Rev 3:22). Our country does not distinguish between Catholics and other Churches. Hence we must work together in secular affairs. We cannot restrict our ecumenical efforts to the Christian Unity Octave (18th to 25th January).
In an ecumenical spirit we should also admit students from other churches to our educational institutions, more so where we have hardly 1% Christian students, yet claim Minority status and indemnity.
ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS: They are now a reality. Fighting expensive and tedious court battles is not the solution. We should not give an opportunity to our detractors by aggressive forms of evangelization or by condemning other religious practices.
We must respect all religions. We should counter false propaganda with facts; that our population has remained static at 2.3% since the 1971 Census. We can also draw attention to Vatican II teachings that prohibit forced or induced conversions (cf AD 13, DH 11).
FCRA: Certain provisions in the new law are draconian and patently unjust; especially the discretionary powers vested in the proposed “Designated Authority”, and the power to take over immoveable properties on the flimsiest of grounds. As in a SWOT analysis, we should see an Opportunity in every Threat.
Though we are 2.3% of the population we are reportedly the recipients of 21% of funds through FCRA. This is grossly disproportionate to our numbers.
This over dependence on foreign funds sometimes results in a disdain for local collaboration, even though the Dogmatic Constitution advocates inter-dependence based on mutual needs (cf LG 32).
Hence we should see this as an opportunity to evolve local sources of funding and mutual respect.
ORDINATION OF MARRIED PERSONS: Priestly celibacy is a manmade rule. Jesus healed the mother-in-law of Peter, the first Pope. 11 0f the 12 apostles were reportedly married.
Married clergy are already accepted in some of the Eastern Rite churches. The Latin Rite should jettison its stubborn refusal to ordain married persons. Marriage has an enriching effect and married clergy will definitely enrich and enliven the Church.
ORDINATIOM OF WOMEN: This is the most contentious issue. Over emphasis on the physical properties (masculinity) of Jesus is odious, Jesus, in human form was not just a male. He was a circumcised Jew, an Asian, who worked for several years as a carpenter.
He had nowhere to lay his head (cf Mat 8:20). He had long hair and a shaggy beard. How many priests today “resemble” him? Mere physical resemblance is a specious argument.
Who is a priest and what is his role? Would women fit into it? Ironically the Vatican II “Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests” (Presbyterorum Ordinis) begins by saying that “The ministerial role has been handed down to priests in a limited degree” (PO 2 read with LG 28). So why should even this limited role be denied to women?
What are the duties of a priest? They are of Proclamation (PO 4), to make Christ present in a certain way in every gathering of the faithful (PO 5) and the “formation of a genuine Christian community” (PO 6). Are not women competent to fulfill these priestly functions?
Mother Mary fulfills these multiple functions like no other, which is why she is called the Queen of the Apostles. This is not just an honorific. She was indeed the greatest apostle. She unhesitatingly received the Word of God (Lk 1:37-38). She proclaimed the Incarnate Word (Lk 1:40-41).
She was a living sacrifice with a sword piercing her soul (Lk 2:35). This was addressed exclusively to her and not Joseph. She was a true contemplative “who treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Lk 2:19).
She celebrated the Eucharistic sacrifice like no other, dying with Jesus on the Cross (cf Jn 19:25) while all those “strong, brave male disciples” abandoned him. She was the first to experience his Resurrection, hence had no need to run to the grave like those of lesser faith.
She was in the Upper Room (cf Acts 1:14) when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit and gave the power to forgive sins (Jn 20:19-23). If Mary is not a priest then none of us are. We are mere pretenders to the throne.
In the light of the above we appeal to Church theologians to courageously address the issue of ordaining women to the ministerial priesthood.
CONCLUSION: The ICF is but a drop in the ocean. But Jesus asked us to be the leaven in the dough (I Cor 5:6) and salt of the earth (Mat 5:13).
They are negligible quantities but have a far reaching impact. It is hoped and prayed that our deliberations and discernment in the “Upper Room” of the Renewal Centre at Kochi will echo far and wide among all people of goodwill. It is part of the sensus fidei.
(The writer is the Convenor of the Indian Catholic Forum)