It is good to have native bishops, but I am afraid that without real spiritual and theological empowerment of the native laity we will have more problems. This is what happens in politics. Every politician promises to give acche din to people, but ends up only in grabbing as much as he can. Even the poor and the needy are not spared. Politicians can do this because they know that most of our people are not adequately educated and motivated for an effective democracy that places the good of the nation above the gains of individuals and of the party.

Our good missionaries have managed to make many ‘converts.’ But sacramentalization does not necessarily lead to evangelization. In Baptism there is no transubstantiation. The convert remains what he is. The Roman Emperor Constantine too is reported to have been ‘converted.’ As a result, crowds flocked into the Church. The once persecuted Church overnight became the persecuting Church. The bishops and archbishops became ‘lord’ and ‘archlords’! That was the starting point of the dechristianization of the Church.

Only when we empower our laity theologically and spiritually will we have a healthy balance in the Church. Otherwise, claiming that we have been especially chosen and consecrated, priests and bishops will continue to do what they wish to do, even if what they do is against the values of the Gospel. Even in the Church of God we need a healthy opposition.

Subhash Anand
St Paul’s School Bhupalpura, Udaipur-313001