APPEALS FROM CBCI,
THE SUPREME BODY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN INDIA
The CBCI has declared that discrimination on the basis of caste is a sin against God and humanity and the caste system will be removed from the Christian community totally as part of our preparation for Yesu Krist Jayanti 2000. The Catholic Bishops of India have been making such statements since 1982 in Trichy CBCI meeting. It was for the first time that the bishops have openly condemned the caste discrimination within the church. " We state categorically that caste, with its consequent effects of discrimination and "caste mentality", has no place in Christianity. It is, in fact, a denial of Christianity because it is inhuman. It violates the God-given dignity and equality of the human person." ...Catholics, in particular, are called to reflect on whether they can meaningfully participate in the Eucharist without repudiating and seriously striving to root out caste prejudices and similar traditions and sentiments both within the Church and outside.
Again at Kottayam, 1988, Pune 1992,
Varanasi 1998 and now in Chennai (Madras) 2000, the Bishops are reminding
their own upper caste Christians to give up the caste identity and accept
the Christian identity.
"The prevalence of the caste system, not only in society but
also in some parts of the Church in India even at the close of the 20th
century, is a matter of shame and disgrace to all of us. It is a cause
of sorrow and expression of our inability to live our Christian faith
adequately. It is not only a denial of human dignity and equality but
also against the fundamental teaching of Christ who was a friend of the
outcasts of His time, and freely mixed with them. ... If our Christian
communities are divided and discriminated on the basis of caste we cannot
affirm in truthfulness that the Gospel has touched our life, and that
we are the disciples of Christ even if we celebrate our worship devoutly
and proclaim our faith correctly. What India needs is precisely this witness
of Christian love.
The Bishops have been making statements on Dalit issues since 1982. In spite of condemnation by CBCI and the repeated appeals by the individual Bishops, the Dalit Christians who form the majority of believers in India are discriminated against, humiliated, and even victimised.
APPEALS FROM SC/ST/BC COMMISSION FOR CBCI
Like the Bishops, the Commission has been forwarding many appeals to the Indian Catholic communities to accept the teachings of the church in implementing equality and justice to all Christians. They have appealed to the upper caste Christians, upper caste priests and religious to teach their communities to treat their fellow Christians humanly.
Rt. Rev. Chinnappa, a dalit bishop and the Chairman for SC/ST/BC, declared that "Practice of discrimination in any form in the place of worship, graveyard and in the community should be abolished with time-bound action. The celebration of Jubilee 2000 may be 'postponed' until true brotherhood and equality is practiced by all the faithful of a parish."
These appeals do not come from their hearts. They issue these statements just to appease the anger of dalit movements. They issue them due to the pressure that they receive from the society.
What do you think of these statements?
They are merely humbug and hypocrisy. They are not truoly serious in what they say. They are not different from the Indian politicians who make empty promises with sweet-coated words to win the votes of the poor people.
The bishops who are mostly the upper caste orgin will never and ever take a stand to take disciplinary action against their own upper caste men and women in the catholic church. These bishops, who always receive royal treatment from the simple dalit christians in the church will never know what it means to be humiliated or discriminated in a society.
That is why, the problem at Thatchoor continues upto today. The problem at Eraiyur is never solved by the Pond cherry bishop.
Thatchoor, parochial feast never allowed the participation of the dalits
K.K.Pudur
R.N.Kandigai
When the Indian government introduced Property Tax, the whole catholic institutions fought.....
Whenever it affects the interests of the upper caste and dominate caste people, the church authorities always react immediately.....
When it is concerned about the poor people, they do not bother,
It is really a tragedy that they could take stand. The bishops must issue sanction against people who discriminate in the church. For example: they bishops must work for time bound action.