COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED CASTES/TRIBES AND BACKWARD CLASSES
A CALL FOR EQUALITY AND BROTHERHOOD IN THE CHURCH
20th May 1998
TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY
Caste system has seeped deep into the Indian psyche. There may be noble ideas and unending discussions on this abomination; there are also honest individuals who do not practice Caste-systern in any form BUT there is hardly a section of society that is free from this obnoxious syndrome altogether. All right thinking believers are convinced that no one can simultaneously enjoy the fellowship with Christ and hobnob with the sentiments of casteism. However, when it comes to practice, the Dalit Christians, who form the majority of believers in India, are discriminated against, humiliated, despised and even victimised. The condemnation by CBCI and the repeated appeals by individual Bishops have not produced any tangible results. In many parts of the country the Dalit believers continue to be the victims of this baseless and irrational practice by their brethren in faith.
As Chairman of CBCI Commission for SC/ST/BC, after having held some informal consultations at various levels, I would like to propose the following action-plan to eradicate discrimination and promote a genuinely spirit-filled Christian Community.
| I. | Abolishing Discrimination
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| A . | Practice of discrimination in
any form in the place of worship, graveyard and in the community should
be abolished with time-bound action by appointing a monitoring team
which identifies places and forms of discrimination practiced in the
sub-stations and main stations of parishes, religious institutions
and eradicates this sinful practice with the cooperation of all sections
of people, the presbyterium and the religious communities. |
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B. |
Identify cemeteries which are
wholly or in part reserved for a section of believers based on caste.
If they cannot be thrown open to all, then arrange for new common
cemeteries for all the groups. |
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| C. | Wherever the practice of having
a separate hearse for each caste is in operation, ensure that a common
hearse (TUMBA) is used by all with no reservation or distinction.
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| D. | The celebration of Jubilee
2000 May be 'postponed' until true brotherhood
and equality is practised by all the faithful of a parish. |
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| II | Providing Equal
Rights: |
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| A. | Take effective steps to appoint
Dalit members in the administration of the Church and related organisations
according to the proportion of Dalit population. |
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| B. | Work at having a reservation
policy for the Dalits/Tribals in the diocesan/ religious institutions |
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| C. | Make efforts to recruit candidates of Dalit origin for the priesthood and religious life in keeping with their numerical strength. | |
This is a re-formulation of the proposals already accepted by CBCI. I have proposed this as a reminder for immediate action. The commission will remain in touch, to learn about the progress.
In Union of prayers,
Yours in our Lord,
(BISHOP A.M. CHINNAPPA, SDB)
Chairman
CBCI Commission for SC/ST/BC