“Amalan, was a man in a hurry!” said our Provincial Fr Francis Parmar in his moving farewell tribute to you, at the introduction of the Eucharistic Celebration at Rosary Cathedral on 28 June. Fr Francis went on to cite several examples as a justification of his statement: your whole-heartedness to go to Cambodia and master the Khmer language; your tremendous desire to complete your theology studies and be ordained a priest; your eagerness to be completely well, yet your unflinching acceptance of God’s will in your life….all this and much more, which beautifully summed up a brief but well-lived life!Yet Amalan, the one question which has kept nagging me (and I am sure many, many others) ever since your untimely departure in the early hours of 27 June, is “Amalan, why were you in a hurry”? It’s more than 48 hours now since you said ‘goodbye’ to us. For the many loved ones whom you have left behind the only words in one’s heart and on one’s lips were, “he was so young: just thirty five years old; he was so promising and the Lord snatched him away!”It is indeed difficult for us mortals to fully understand and accept the ways of the Lord. But in the words of those who spoke at your funeral: you understood and accepted cheerfully and willingly what the Lord had in store for you! “Amalan, why were you in a hurry?” Because we know that you prayed “if it is thy will Lord take this chalice from me,” you were strong and determined in that great
I thank you for publishing the findings of the Pew Research Centre about the changing profile of peoples’ ideas about the Eucharist in the U.S. I admire your courage. Without empirical findings, the clergy can be living in the clouds, convincing themselves that everything is okay. It is time that the bishops and theologians in India have the honesty and courage to reexamine the late emergence of the doctrine of Transubstantiation. In my opinion, it has been a pastoral disaster. The clergy became institution-centred: the Eucharist as body of Christ, for which costly churches have to be built, expensive vestments have to be worn, vessels of precious metals have to be utilized, and bulky books have to be used. The community of believers, the original body of Christ became less and less important. Many Catholics feel that they are ignored by their pastors, who are busy with institutions and institutional functions.Subhash Anand Udaipur-313001
Sr Mudita Sodder RSCJ has shown through her letter to Editor - Light of Truth in June 1-15, 2019, - how we individual Catholics can keep a relationship with God and direct ourselves to live a life pleasing to God. Though I can’t say authoritatively, I feel strongly that none of us, from Pope, Bishops, priests, religious and down to the ordinary faithful is serious about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In view of this it is likely that our religious life becomes a ritual, devoid of any desire for any spiritual growth and holiness. Under this circumstance, it is natural not only for ordinary individuals, but also for authorities entrusted with money, power and property succumb to temptations. In this connection it may not be out of place to mention that there are the alleged financial irregularities ascribed to some hierarchical authorities and the alleged sexual immoralities concerning an ecclesiastical authority and a religious sister. It seems that the state of torpidity and indifference in real spirituality among the Catholics makes them incapable of finding any wrong or deficiency in their spiritual life. Also it gives inspiration and encouragement to pursue the irregularities in the lives of others. How famous we are in the art of accusing others even on the basis of rumours! The protests and “street shows” by some including priests anointed by God, against the alleged irregularities are examples of eagerness to fight for justice ignoring the Christian wa
Years ago, I met an Anglican who had joined the Roman Church. He informed me that when being instructed to be received into the Church, he told was that to be a Catholic meant to accept the Pope in Rome as the supreme juridical head of the Church and that at times he exercised the special charism of infallibility. “Now,” he added, “I see every parish priest claiming supreme and infallible jurisdiction in his parish!” We can dismiss his claim as an exaggeration, or perceive the message he is trying to give us.Very recently, I was reminded of his claim when, in your Light of Truth, I read the humble submission of a new bishop: “My priority, even in Agra, has always been team work…There are several people who are much more talented that I am in various fields. I find it much more efficient and beneficial to seek their help than struggling to get the work done alone.”I have met many bishops across the country. I have been a resource person for their meetings at the national, regional, province and diocesan level. I have interacted with some of them while they were studying philosophy and theology. I could be wrong, but I get the feeling that many of them—if not the most— claim supreme and infallible jurisdiction in their diocese. In Hindi we have a saying which literally means: Every dog is a lion in his own lane. The tragedy is that often, in spite of all the scrutiny the Vatican makes, many of them are a bad choice. I am not saying that they are bad pe
This has reference to K.J. Alphons, Former Union Minister and a BJP leader who claimed that “Have you seen any Christian being beaten up or Church being burnt” (under BJP rule). Never has it been safer for minorities than under Modi?”His claim clearly reflect his intention to appease Prime Minister-Narendra Modi and BJP expecting Ministerial berth once again in the name of Christian Community in the country. As long as Narendra Modi is having majority Hindutva Vote Bank Christian representation is secondary for BJP’s Government at the centre.But the fact is that there was series of attacks about 219 incidents have been reported against Christians across the country between January and October 2018. Maximum incidents were held in BJP ruled states. Under the coverof “anti-coriversion” laws in the BJP ruled governments forced to stop Christian missionaries humanitarian activities stating that “their presence would cause social tension” in the tribal areas.The so-called Hindu nationalists are actively engaged in a hate campaign against the Christians and their institutions in the name of conversion and thus exploiting religion for their ultimate aim ‘to implement the Hindutva agenda for governance. Therefore it is utterly ridiculous statement hiding the facts.’Thomas Mulackal, Bengaluru