“We must reduce the emphasis on the idea of authority. It is fundamentally a service to be carried out with humility.”
As the first session of the Synodal Assembly in Rome draws to a close on Sunday, Sr Maria Nirmalini, Indian religious, superior general of the Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel, expresses her opinion on one of its most debated topics – the role of women in the Church.
Nirmalini is also president of the Conference of the Religious of India and participates in the Synod among the members designated by the Union of Superiors General.
“It is not a journey that will end here, the Synod is a process that will continue,” – adds Sr. Nirmalini. ”We are looking for leadership that is inclusive of all women, young lay people as well as consecrated women: this is the leadership we are looking at.”
In India the superior of the apostolic Carmel leads the over 130 thousand local religious women, in a context in which the reflection on the role of women and the recognition of their equal dignity has to deal with a patriarchal system still deeply rooted in society and also in Church itself.
“I took on this role,” she said, “when the Indian Church was experiencing various challenges from within and without, such as sexual exploitation, gender inequality, an unjust wage system, clericalism. I don’t pretend that the situation has changed now. But we have put in place clear plans and systems to address these challenges appropriately.”
On the issue of harassment, she states without hesitation that “silent suffering no longer makes sense. We need to develop platforms for mutual sharing and psychological well-being.”
On the phase that will open at the end of this first session of the Synod, you said that by returning to India you will continue to work so that the synod process involves “all members of the communities”.

Taking a cue from Pope Francis, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, archbishop of Goa and Daman, has invited the priests, Religious and lay people in the western Indian archdiocese to observe October 27 as a day of prayer, penance and fasting for peace.
In his circular from Rome, the cardinal said, “Dearly beloved, In a world marred by conflict and suffering, the ongoing strife in Israel and Palestine stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace in our world. We are witnessing a crisis that is claiming countless lives and causing immeasurable pain. Our Holy Father Francis is constantly voicing his concern for the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Israel, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons.”
Earlier on October 18, speaking at his General Audience Pope Francis implored: “Lay down weapons and heed the cries for peace from the poor, the people, and the innocent children. War solves no problems. It only sows death and destruction and increases hatred. War erases the future!”
And the pontiff called on all Christians to pray and fast for peace October 27. He also encouraged people of other Christian denominations, other religions and all those who advocate for peace to participate as they see fit. The Pope announced that the central event would be an hour of prayer at 6 pm in St. Peter’s Square.

The Syro-Malabar Church has expressed shock and pain at a series of explosions during a prayer meeting of Jehovah’s meeting that on October 29 killed two and wounded more than 50 people in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
This incident “is highly condemnable” as it has caused pain and shock, says the Kerala-based Church’s Media Commission. It has demanded that the culprits be brought to justice through an impartial, honest and efficient investigation by federal and state agencies.
Three blasts occurred at the Christian group’s convention center in Kalamassery near Kochi, Kerala’s commercial capital.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the incident was serious and said a probe was underway.
Videos filmed shortly after the explosion and posted online showed flames inside the building and rescuers helping people. They also showed multiple fires and people in fear.
A man named Dominic Martin has claimed responsibility for the blasts and surrendered before police in Thrissur, some 85 km north of Kochi.
Martin, who was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, confessed to the crime and his motivation for the same on Facebook Live, which he posted before surrendering to the police.

Catholic officials have welcomed the southern Indian Karnataka state relaxing a ban on traditional hijab (head scarf) by allowing Muslim women to wear it while appearing for government recruitment exams.
“There was no need for any such ban and we are happy that the present government has taken steps to relax it,” said Father Faustine Lucas Lobo, spokesperson of Karnataka Catholic Bishops’ Council.
The decision was taken on Oct. 22 at a review meeting attended by Karnataka state’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who goes by one name, and Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar, who are from the ruling Congress party.
Sudhakar told the media that students will “be allowed to write examinations wearing the hijab,” referring to the competitive exams for jobs conducted by the state government.
The ban was imposed in February 2022 when the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading the state government.  The party, however, lost to the Congress party in the May state elections.
The ban order was issued after an altercation between hijab-wearing Muslim students and a mob of hardline Hindu nationalists who objected to “the religious practice inside academic institutions” in January 2022.
The pro-Hindu BJP government’s order prohibited wearing clothes “that disturb equality, integrity and public order in schools and colleges.”
Five Muslim students challenged the constitutionality of the ban in court.