R E S P O N S E S     R E C E I V E D

Received on 10^th September

The points you make for the action plan is just wonderful... However, who will execute it...

Leaving to to all, will turn out to be no body's business. I guess you need to rope Cardinal Ossie and the CBCI Commissions.

As I see it, there are lots of stuff each of those CBCI commissions could take up as their regular activity and coordinate it.

Meanwhile, I have uploaded your action plan our DonBoscoIndia website.

Your item can be found at http://www.donboscoindia.com/english/resource.php

However, it is good to see what feed back you get.

Received on 10^th September 2008

Thanks Joe.  I had the same frustrations. After doing several crisis management programs at no charge for the bishops, everything went into sleep mode the moment the Congress returned to power in 2004! They have more faith in Sonia Gandhi being in power than in their own  capability to handle crisis. Now things are hotting  up again and again they will do things without adequate thought, preparation or a structured process. Will revert.

Received on 10^th September 2008

It looks like a million light years since I last communicated to you....How are you and Brenda...I still have fond memories of your trip to Wagle Estate [ Thane ] and .the Youth there are still active and bubbling with enthusiasm generated by your programme....

 I was impressed by your reflection and whole gamut of ideas you have spelled out for improving the wrong image that many of the educated Non-Christian have in mind. I totally agree with the following points:  

1 .3  :  We learn something common about other faiths.  

ii.2 : Prayer has to be out shield against the Violence that is going on. 

iii. 2 : I agree with you we need to come out in the open and burst the Conversion Bubble, we need to open the eyes of the general public of India and let them see for them selves.  

iv : we need to make use of the Media to educate the public.

These are just few of my comments.

I am now working in Goregoan east at St Joseph Church....we don't have a church but celebrate Eucharist in the near by Convent and stay in a flat close by.   This year in order to get greater commitment from the youth of the parish, we have designed an new program themed: "DARE to be Different." I'm still in the process of finalizing the whole program. We have put down a certain topics that we are going to discuss. If there is any way in which you can help us...I would be extremely happy to have you under my roof.

Looking forward to seeing you again....of doing something different with the youth of this parish....       

With the Intercession of our Blessed Mother, whose birthday we just celebrated, i pray that God may continue the Good work he has begun in you. 

Received on 11^th September 2008 from

It is pity that our BIS site has access only to SDB members...but the public can see only the LEAD of that Document on our site... The Bollywood could be monitored by Mumbai SIGNIS guys... Other members of the regional SIGNIS could take care of the regional cinemas.Of course we need a core group like AICU regional heads to implement the ACTION PLAN...

Yes, this is a laity field, why don't we get the AICU commissions to monitor these at regional and national levels. They could also coordinate this as one of their MAJOR activities for Church in India. This is indeed challenging... and we should gain the good will of all the bishops (Cats and Prots)... It has to be a CHRISTIAN movement and not just for CATS. Thru this we must also rein in the loose elements of those splinter group Christians  who perpetrate a lot of damage to the entire christian community thru  their misguided evangelism zeal, methods, as well as faulty biblical theology.

Let us think of a United Christian Front... with visions of political leadership.... We are living exciting times for Laity Leadership.... I am most concerned about the "fleeing phenomenon" of our shepherds...

In our Santal in Murshidadbad missions, parishioners fled at the sign of danger...

But the priest  and catechist ( a local) stayed back and faced the threats... Once they saw the courage of the missionary, they peevishly returned and the priest told them, to defend themselves with their traditional bows and arrows...   The missionary needs guts and dedication

Received on 11^th September 2008

Received on 11^th September 2008

Thanks very much for this message and the well thought out file that you attached with it. I went through it and found it very well presented. You have taken into account many aspects of the issue and there are many practical and effective suggestions.

Although the involvement of the official arm of the Catholic Church (CBCI authorities) is a good move, I firmly believe that the complete and autonomous commitment of lay persons, especially those who have a standing in society should be the major driving force of the project.

Showcasing the "true" image of the Catholic Church is very necessary. Without intending to breakdown the image of the Church of Jesus Christ into the main line Protestant Churches and other (so-called) Christian communities, I strongly feel that the non-Christian people should also know that there is a clear distinction between these different "churches".

The idea you got from the Malaysian initiative is good. In addition, I believe we should also inculcate in our own Catholics a greater awareness of what the Christians in the persecuted areas are going through. Hence, I think all parishes should have bulletin boards in the Church premises with the pictures and news items blown up so that our Catholics first of all are aware that this is "our problem", and consequently they should be more concerned and involved. When this is done, it could be expected that they would take part in the initiatives for prayer, discussion, diffusing news, etc.

Sorry for my delay in replying to your message. I have added in red my responses to your questions for consideration. May the Spirit continue to illumine you and give you the prudence and fortitude to go ahead and may God bless your every effort.

ONE

1. Please read the Note.

2. Consider:

     A)       should we take for granted that the Reader/recipient appreciates the current necessity of a guided, focused response, or should reasons for this be spelt out at the  start? We cannot take this for granted. But, there is need for a project that brings about an "awareness" in all Catholics. It seems that so long as the problem is far away it does not touch them. Hence, there is need first of all to make them aware that THIS IS THEIR PROBLEM AS WELL.

B)             The current format might not invite a thorough reading. Should we adopt a Report style with a list of suggested actions and then go on to elaborate point by point? Probably "flashes" or "pamphlets" giving single issues or single projects are more effective than this integrated multi pronged project.

     C)       Should we present bald suggestion or add explanations? Motivating the suggestions is always necessary, I believe.

3.  Please make additions, modifications and suggestions.

TWO

 Consider whom the material should reach. It was suggested to me by a helpful and knowledgeable person

"1) Put down your proposals in writing (briefly, clearly, to the point) in a letter to Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, S.J., Secretary General of the CBCI (Archbishop's  House, Sector 8, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382008).

2) Address a similar letter to Cardinal Oswald Gracias, President of the CCBI, Archbishop's House, 21 Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai 400 001. Also request Cardinal Oswald to have the matter discussed in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.

3) Address a similar letter  to Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, C.Ss.R. (CBCI Special Commission for Evangelization), Mount St. Thomas, P.B. No. 3110, P.O. Kakkanad, Kochi, Kerala, 682030."

 I feel that our Catholic schools which have a sizeable number of non Christian students is a good forum for a educative action in this line. These schools have a readymade audience to receive this information and formation. We should be able to "educate" our non-Christian students to a different way of thinking: towards more tollerance, towards right information about Catholics and conversions, to know more about the Good Works done by the Church, etc. etc. I strongly believe that our Catholic Schools have a very good infrastructure to generate people (non Christians) who should have a more postive way of thinking about the Church. Our schools are producing such a large number of the future Adult Non-Christian people! We should be able to mobilize them to think in favour of Christians, etc. etc.

If you can get several others also to sign the letter, it may be helpful."

THREE

Received on 11^th September 2008

See how they (Parivar) use media convincingly to spread their lies.

Wht are we doing?

Received on 11^th September 2008

Absolutely brilliant, well reserched and thought provoking. Seeing this mail for the first time. Only someone who is a scholar and also loves the Church could write such a paper !!

The fact that you have received very few responses is indicative of the how Herculean is the task of implementing your suggestions or even getting people together to discuss them.

My proposal on a Think Tank for the Church proposed at a Dialogue between the AICU and CBCI  to do all you are suggesting has been lying in cold storage for several years.

Today the priorities have changed. I visited Fr Edward Sequeira a survivor of the Orissa carnage, at the Holy Spirit Hospital. I was lucky to meet Bishop Cheenath in whose Diocese the atrocities were committed.

Received on 11^th September 2008 

I went to Orissa for two days as part of a delegation. We were not allowed to enter Kandhamal. We met a large number of victims in Bhubaneshwar, met the governor and the local civil society members as well as priests of various churches.

Visit to Kandhamal next week depends on the fact whether the Govt will permit us to go there or not. VHP's Togadia has been allowed to go and add more fuel to the fire.

This account is based on the testimonies of: 8 priests and over 300 families who hid in thick forests without water and food, with small hungry children, with thousands of mosquitoes and other insects and who walked over 280 kilometers to reach Bhubaneshwar with just the set of clothes that they were wearing. It took them 5 days to reach the city.

It is not safe to give the names or addresses of those who testified before us as even now VHP and the other Sangh organisations are still attacking the villages , burning houses, shops and churches, catching
people, tonsuring them, forcing them to sign that they have become Hindus.
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Received on 11^th September 2008 

Hey Joe,

You can make a difference and I am with you....    Glad you got D’s address. I am going to forward your paper to my list of friends, will keep you in the loop. ....and give them your contact  details... hope

something comes of it.. Let us find a way to take it forward...  Perhaps creating an excel sheet with name of person and response may help!

Let’s chat....

Have a fruitful day...Cheers!

Received on 12^th September 2008 

Thanks  R. . Thanks  Joe. Good  one. Where  do we  go from  here ?

Received on 12^th September 2008 

Joe,

You are really a lost and found asset for me. I read your response to Christians and you have a right cause. I remember your own story which you shared with myself and Ruth .It was a terrible experience .

Lets plan to take Power To Lead to business and to secular world. We need to start somewhere.

Received on 11^th September 2008 

Hi Joe,

I 1 + Rather than do a survey with non Christians first we must survey and target the political institutions and representatives of the people who are a strong force in influencing the non Christians against the Christians.

+ The Christ way for me to correct the negatives would be to compel the anti Christian elements to see the good that we are doing in our institutions. To let our good work stare them so hard in the face that they are forced to admit to the positives of Christianity and not focus on negative perceptions.

I3 + To gain respect we need to give respect. I fully agree with this thought. The common perception that we are not “Indians” because we do not participate in celebrating the good of the “Hindu”, “Muslim” festivals needs to be tackled. Our Liturgy/ instutions should include and celebrate the good in these so called non Christian festivals. Merely praying or refereeing to them during a mass or a prayer service does not help in promoting our good will.

+ An interfaith chapel in all our institutions should be a must. These chapels will be known for the importance and respect given to all sacred scriptures and for the freedom given to all individuals to go and pray there. These have to be open 24*7.

+ When we speak of Indianization and Inculturalization of the church in India we have to question ourselves whether we are ready to include a reading from another scripture in our liturgy. This I believe will not only bring out our commitment for religious harmony but also profess that we accept and celebrate the good of all religions.

I 5+ Not only meditation but also yoga, using prayers like the gayatri mantra etc. Should

Conversion Myth

+ It is very difficult to tackle this one. In my experience in most places it is the breakaway groups that try to do “conversion” in a very traditional sense and in some states especially the north east it is the numbers that are converted that count to the church.

+ I think what the church needs to highlight is the number of voluntary conversions. The matter of choice has to be highlighted.

+ Meetings with the breakaway groups need to be had so that they too agree of their role in the conversion bit.

The Persecution Scenario

+ Here is where I feel the church needs to take a very aggressive stand. Just mere wearing of bands or closing institutions is not going to challenge what is going on against the anti Christians in any way. The stand has to be aggressive with influential Christians using their contacts/ positions/ resources to exert pressure on the government to take action.

Meeting with political leaders to gather support and then a meeting with the PM or Sonia Gandhi and the President of India to hold them accountable to secularism in India.

+If necessary gather support from the legal community and tie up with people like Fr PD Mathew SJ and institutes like ISI Lodhi Road Delhi, to plan a future course of action for the whole movement.

+Protest marches in large numbers is a must.

The Process

+ The influential Catholics should come together and be ready to use their influence and status.

+ In the parishes there has to be wide scale awareness programmes for the cause.

+ A formal meeting has to be set up with the Cardinal and the Archbishop of Mumbai.

+ The motive has to be that we are a richer and by far more influential Archdiocese so we want to take the initiative and fight for the injustices done to fellow Christians all over India.

+ Organise to meet the Nuncio to India and put forward the proposal and convince him and ask him to put pressure on the CBCI.

If we have the attitude to do things on a small basis and satisfy only oneself then there is going to be no impact. To make an impact one has to target the ocean and not small ponds and lakes.  

Received on 13^th September 2008

 It is a shame that the matter lay dormant. However, I am happy to note that one of your action steps (IV-4) was adopted, although I think it should have been for a longer period until the powers-that-be realized the consequences.

One of the things we need to do first is to sink our differences and unite to fight a common cause. By “we” I mean the BCS, CSF, the Catholic Church and other bodies that cannot or will not see eye to eye. I think it is high time we started a dialogue with other Christians as well.

Received on 13^th September 2008

It was another instance of wishes not being translated in to action. Your brief mail has reminded me that for quite some time we were out of touch. The Orissa Bihar tragedy has evoked many a wish, which are not translated into reality for various reasons. Congratulations for the initiative you are taking. As is the case in most situations, we find ourselves burdened(blessed!) with a horde of non-Christians! Our religious staff is fairly young and we hope to mobilize the Past pupils. Some coordinated move by the Bishops and provincials should hasten a positive response from the local and central governments. God bless the initiative.

Received on 14^th September 2008

I want to narrate a very disturbing  incident that happened to me this morning. I was traveling by bus no 344  from Dindoshi to Goregaon (E) bus depot. in the morning @ 7.15 am to attend my  early morning shift.

It was raining very heavily and I left quite a  number of bus to board this particular one. I purchased my ticket and  after a while my eyes fell on the steel ticket box which the conductor  carries. On this there was a poster which was pasted on the outside flap  of the box and was very easily visible to the naked eye.

On it the  following shocking words in Hindi were found written along with a photo of a  Hindu Self styled Dharam Guru wearing white vestments:- "CHRISTIAN  PADRIYON KE BADTE PRACHHAR SE HINDU DHARAM KA MITNA TAY HAI"

On reading I  was very disturbed, when the bus reached the depot and when everyone alighted, I  decided to confront the conductor. I asked him whether he understand the  meaning conveyed by this poster, also how such racist/religious propaganda can  be pasted on a government machinery used for public welfare, What proof he has  to substantiate the allegation? etc etc.

The conductor who was in his  50's and of North Indian lineage, got disturbed and started evading me with  aggressive verbal behavior and made no eye contact, also he blamed the driver  for this poster, he refused to show me the badge number and his name, the Driver  on seeing me quietly walked away to the change room.

Since I was in a  hurry to catch my train and did not want a crowd to assemble, I sternly warned  him with dire consequence, If I ever made a complaint to BEST authorities and  asked him to remove the poster immediately and then moved ahead.

My  personal feeling is The VHP/Bajrang Dal has started retorting to a subtle,  widespread, but a definite evil propaganda of hate against the Christians by  misusing Govt. machinery to create a long term mass ethnic hate situation in our  beloved Mumbai just like Orissa, Gujarat etc....

We as a peace loving  community and cent % patriotic Indian's at heart need to "not only pray" BUT be  vigilant and if possible report such instances to the Bombay Catholic  Sabha/Arch-Bishop's House/Local police authorities. I cannot forget the  face of this Conductor and I will continue to keep a watch on him in future  travels.

I would appreciate and oblige if this incident can be  reported to the Church authorities / Bombay Catholic Sabha by ANY catholic  brother or sister who has proximity and is involved with the BCS actively. I am  ready to stand by and give testimony to the same.

KINDLY SENSITIZE AS  MANY CHRISTIANS AS POSSIBLE

Received on 14^th September 2008

 

Article forwarded to us

Who's the real Hindu?
Karan Thapar, Hindustan Times
August 30, 2008

Does the VHP have the right to speak for you or I?   Do they reflect our views?  Do we endorse their behaviour?   They call themselves the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, but who says they represent all of us?   This Sunday morning, I want to draw a clear line of distinction between them and everyone else.   My hunch is many of you will agree.
Let me start with the question of conversion -  an issue that greatly exercises the VHP.   I imagine thereare hundreds of millions of Hindus who are peaceful, tolerant, devoted to their faith, but above all, happy to live alongside Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Jews.   If any one of us were to change our faith how does it affect the next man or woman?   And even if that happens with inducements, it can only prove that the forsaken faith had a tenuous  and shallow hold.   So why do the VHP and its unruly storm troopers, the Bajrang Dal, froth at the mouth if you, I or our neighbours convert?   What is it to do with them?   Let me put it bluntly, even crudely.

If I want to sell my soul   and trade in my present gods for a new lot, why shouldn' t I?   Even if the act diminishes me in your eyes, it's my right to do so.   So if thousands or even millions of Dalits, who have been despised and ostracised for generations, choose to become Christian, Buddhist or Muslim, either to escape the discrimination of their Hindu faith or because some other has lured them with food and cash,

 it's their right. Arguably you may believe you should ask them to reconsider, although I would call that interference, but you certainly have no duty or right to stop them.

In fact, I doubt if you are morally correct in even seeking to place obstacles in their way.   The so-called Freedom of Religion Acts, which aim to do just that, are, in fact, tantamount to obstruction of conversion laws and therefore, at the very least, questionable.

However, what' s even worse is how the VHP responds to this matter. Periodically they resort to violence including outright murder.   What happened to Graham Staines in Orissa was not unique.   Last week it
happened again.   Apart from the utter and contemptible criminality of such behaviour, is this how we Hindus wish to behave?   Is this how we want our faith defended?   Is this how we want to be seen?   I have no doubt the answer is no.   An unequivocal, unchanging and ever-lasting NO!

The only problem is it can' t be heard.   And it needs to be.   I therefore believe the time has come for the silent majority of Hindus?  Both those who ardently practice their faith as well as those who were born into it but may not be overtly religious or devout?   To speak out.   We cannot accept the desecration of churches, the burning to death of innocent caretakers of orphanages, the storming of Christian and Muslim hamlets even if these acts are allegedly done in defence of our faith.   Indeed, they do not defend but shame Hinduism. That's my central point. I' m sorry but when I read that the VHP has ransacked and killed I' m not just embarrassed, I feel ashamed. Never of being hindu but of what some Hindus do in our shared faith's name.

This is why it's incumbent on Naveen Patnaik, Orissa' s Chief Minister, to take tough, unremitting action against the VHP and its junior wing, the Bajrang Dal.   This is a test not just of his governance, but of his character.   And I know and accept this could affect his political survival.   But when it' s a struggle between your commitment to your principles and your political convenience is there room for choice?   For ordinary politicians, possibly, but for the Naveen I know, very definitely not.
 So let me end by saying:  I' m waiting, Naveen.   In fact, I want to say I' m not alone. There are hundreds of millions of Hindus, like you and me, waiting silently? but increasingly impatiently. Please act for all of  us.

Received on 14^th September 2008

 

I want to add to the "The Persecution Scenario" Item IV.1. CYCLE OF PRAYER AND ADORATION . .
 the following:    Everyone should pray individually for the "DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON each on of us" 
 

i.e. a SECOND PENTECOST, because the REAL POWER & HEART of the Christian Church is
 "GOD the HOLY SPIRIT".   Today's Christian Churchs have created a bunch of fearful Christian types like the first Christians  who lived lives in hiding prior the the first Pentecost, i.e. a people without the Holy Spirit.
 

St. Peter, et al, lived crouched up in the upper room UNTIL GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT appeared on
 the scene. We've gone from 11 core disciples to a billion followers in 2000 years because of the First Pentecost. With this individual prayer, of asking God for the descent of the Holy Spirit on each one of us,
God the Holy Spirit will then come upon each on of us (I already received Him on 05.11.1996).
 
 Then you will see an Empowered Christian lot that will evangelize and transform fearlessly our  nation of India into a replica of heaven on earth. In the meantime, we must all go into our upper rooms and pray for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon each one of us. The appropriate Christian responses to all the atrocities will then follow naturally and effortlessly.

Received on 14^th September 2008

It was good hearing from you.  If it took the Hand of God 15 years to stir and tap Ruth towards you, then might I say, His hand has been moving arthritically retrogressive in our instance.  Ain’t we making a personal contact after some 30 years.  Did I say 30 years!  Has so much time simply eroded or is time primarily subservient to fulfilling the purpose for which our existence came to be necessary? 

THANK YOU for Karan Thapar’s piece.  Profoundly brilliant!  His piece resonates the same soulful anguish as Rita Corriel’s does (http://www.abbefaria.com/Sitting%20Shiva%20by%20Rita%20Corriel.htm).  The corollary may be universes apart, but the underlying hypocrisy and carnage is appallingly entrenched and psychotically willful!  {{P.S.: Let me know if you are unable to open the link or if the sole pic does not open}}.

Received on 14^th September 2008 from Japan

Thank you very much for sending me the text of CHRISTIAN RESPONSE INDIA.  I read it with great attention and participation and found it to be very very good. I hope and pray that it be made known to all men and women of good will in India, and become a platform for appropriate action:

1) to help the victims of religious persecution in the State of Orissa (and elsewhere!)

2) to protect the fundamental human right of freedom of religion all over India (and elsewhere!)

3) to restore the good name of India in the world, as a highly civilized nation and an example of harmonious and peaceful society, which has been marred by the recent events of religious persecution against Christians, especially in the State of Orissa.    

Received on 15^th September 2008

Happy Feast again to u and Joe.   Joe's article was very good.  Is it OK if I forward it to friends who may take some action.  I wish I could help but the only help I can give now is prayers.  My mother too was very impressed. 

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