After reading my last letter “Is devotion to Mary and the saints really Christian? – Significance of Luther Martin for Roman Catholics” (Light of Truth, 16–31 August 2017, p. 2), and noting its rhetorical tone, your readers may have some questions. 1. If the Roman Catholic devotion to Mary and the saints is not based on sound foundations, why is it that our bishops and priests still propagate it? 2. Will that letter not disturb the faith of simple people? 3. Why are devotions to Mary and the saints so popular, even in the ‘modern age’? Let me try to answer them as best as I can.

A. Different reasons may explain why we, your bishops and priests still propagate devotion to Mary and the other saints. 1. We may be holding on to inadequate theology that is not informed by contemporary biblical studies and historical research. 2. The doctrine of mediation by saints humans reinforces the need of the mediation of priests and bishops. But an historic-critical study of Jesus of Nazareth shows that instituted neither the priesthood nor the hierarchy. 3. We may find popular devotions easy and soft pastoral options. Being engaged in them can provide us an escape from the more difficult and hard pastoral options (helping people to form their conscience, teaching them to pray—as different from saying prayers, etc.). 4. We are happy with an easy religion—novenas, processions, etc. that does not call us to carry the cross: difficult religion—simplicity of life, sharing with the needy, commitment to justice, deeper prayer life, etc. 5. Easy religion is a great source of power, prestige and income for us. Just think of Velankanni! 6. Easy religion is one more opportunity for people who have lot of money to put up a show and compete with others.

B. True, some people may be disturbed by my letter; but we need to keep in mind some important considerations. 1. Today we live in an information age. The TV, internet and smart phones all bombard us with all kinds of audio and video messages. We cannot isolate ourselves anymore. 2. Years ago some Christians were convinced that they had some good news for all people. They believed that they had a mission to proclaim the truth. They came to our land from far away countries and converted many, mostly dalits and tribals. Some have remarked that the missionaries mostly approached the poor and the uneducated—people who could not challenge them. 3. The right-wing groups are against missionaries. Others think that their opposition has a selfish agenda. The missionaries have educated and empowered many dalits and tribals. They can no longer be easily exploited and serve as a source of cheap labour. So too, some of us—your priests and bishops—do not want the laity to be educated. An educated laity will mean that our power, prestige and, above all, our income will go down. 4. My letter I hope, make you reflect. Without reflection religion soon becomes superstitious, narrow, imprisoned within a dark room.

C. The devotions to Mary and the saints are still popular in modern age because many of are still in an infantile stage as far as religion is concerned (see the other letter in Light of Truth, 16 – 31 August 2017, p. 2). Our religious consciousness is very much connected with the experience of humanity in its infancy, or what Karl Jung called ‘collective unconscious,’ constituted by what he calls ‘archetypes.’ I however, do believe that ‘mother’ and ‘polytheism’ too are part of our collective unconscious.

1. Our very first experience is that of our mother; foundational to our survival. This explains the goddess is very dominant in primal religious consciousness. Even when a male becomes more important, he is accompanied by a consort. Originally even Yahweh had a consort. The goddess was very much part of popular religion of Israel. Yahweh draws the attention of Jeremiah to what his fellow Israelites doing. “Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, the fathers kindle fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger. (Jer 7:17-18). The people defend themselves, saying that the goddess fulfils their needs (Jer 44:15-18). Many priests and bishops who promote Marian devotions shrines are certain that people will flock with many gifts.

2. So too the polytheistic frame is a primal experience. Within the family there is a head, but there are also other important figures: grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. Even among the siblings there is a hierarchy. This hierarchy ensures order and protection. As children we are not sure who actually is in full control. So to avoid trouble we try to placate all. This frame was then replicated within the organized society.

Unfortunately this is true even of many priests and bishops: our study of theology—if at all we took it seriously—did not help us to grow. My perception is that the Roman Catholic laity is the most infantile community of Christians. This is also why the Roman Catholic Church is so clericalized. Only adult parents want their children to become adults. I am sad to say, but once again I could be mistaken, many of us, priests and bishops, are quite content with what they and their people know in matters of religion. They resist enlightenment for themselves and for their people.

Subhash Anand, Udaipur