Abp Leo Cornelio

What message does the celebration of Christmas have for the ordinary Christian in India?
I believe that Christmas has gradually lost its real meaning. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”, that is what Christmas really means, but its significance is diminishing year by year. It has become more of a social celebration and a festival. All the decorations, Christmas trees, dance, Santa, etc. are good, especially because children enjoy it. But the real meaning of the Word, becoming one among us represent the self-emptying of Christ, which is a very meaningful message for a world where selfishness and egoism are ever growing. People are becoming increasingly self-centred. As Pope Francis said, we are loving and enjoying the pleasures of the world, things of the world much more than loving the neglected and the poor, which is what Christmas is all about. Because God became poor and lived among us we are expected to be closer to God. Jesus had no place to be born! He became the poorest of the poor to tell us that we should embrace the poor. That kind of humanity got lost somewhere, and Christmas has become more of an external celebration and a sort of show today.

As a bishop your motto was Verbum Divini, the Divine Word that became flesh; what does it tell you of your body and your mission as a Divine Word missionary (SVD)?
You must add to it ‘In Luce Verbi’, in the light of the Word. That is from the prologue of St John. St John so beautifully explains: In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with by God and the Word was God, who became flesh. Which means the body has to be respected, and the body has to be used for charitable works, for the good of others so that as human beings we can use it to make the world a better place to live in. We have a duty of be more Christ like in order to elevate and sanctify the body for the welfare of humanity in charity and total commitment. The whole world is elevated to the higher sphere. Our founder St. Arnold Janssen’s father and mother insisted that their children daily read and reflect upon the prologue.

At the same time, the word is also language. How can this language reflect the Divine?
Ultimately, the language is an expression our own life and experience, and the best expression is the language of the heart that breaches or supersedes the barriers of all communications through words. The Word can be best understood by the heart. It can leap over even the barriers of religion, caste, class and can conquer many hearts.

Living as a priest for 50 years and bishop for 23 years, what has been missionary your experience in the heartland of India?
What I see is that there is a lot of interest among people to know about the spiritual elements of other religions. But we also see a sort of indifference towards religion and religious practices in all religions. So it is also in Christianity. People look for something new: In this sense we see that many people from other religions wish to learn about Christianity. While our own Christians, quite a few, seem to drift away. There is a general diminishing of interest in spiritual matters. But we also see some new waves coming. There are many sects and denominations that compete with each other to attract people with the external incentives like physical healing, instant happiness, and prosperity, etc.

“We have a duty of be more Christ like in order to elevate and sanctify the body for the welfare of humanity in charity and total commitment. The whole world is elevated to the higher sphere.”

From my travels that brought me into contact with a lot of people gather that faith is getting diluted sometimes, but, at the same time, also found much enthusiasm and zeal in following what they are convinced about. Hence, we probably need more missionaries who are able to influence people with life example … to ‘be a mission’ as Pope Francis would say, for the people, especially non-Christians. Also, I find that the zeal and enthusiasm among our youth is increasing. Christianity still has an impact, and it will continue to have for sure.

With Hindutva ideology establishing its sway on our country, Christianity is facing a situation of persecution, especially in the Hindi heartland. How do you explain Hinduism’s tolerance and the consequent communalisation based on religions?
My view is that Hindus in general are a very tolerant and understanding people. They follow Sanathana dharma, which respects all religion. But when religion becomes a means for achieving one’s own goals or is taken over by politicians, it becomes an instrument in their hands. They are not really religious people, I would say. They distort religion and make it a tool of extremism; Hindutva, I believe, is distorted Hinduism. They use religion for their purpose and political gain. I have come across many wonderful Hindus who are tolerant and respectful towards people of other religions. Certain extremists become militants and they inject a feeling of insecurity in the people. They are also are afraid of the caste system getting destroyed. Through that kind of politics, – a sort of militant combination which is so dangerous, – India has been losing its image all over the world to a large extent. And yet, our Country is known for maintaining unity in spite of so many diversities. As long as religion remains a tool of politicians we can expect more communalization and polarization based on religious groupings. They are practising a kind of divide and rule policy. In fact, some pseudo religious people too are using religion for their selfish purposes.

Do you think that crusading missionaries can create problems in India?
Yes, I believe so! We are already being branded as such by many. Of course, Christianity has a long history behind it. For some, religion is a tool for grabbing power and gaining many benefits that come with it. There are many groups who are engaged in evangelising, preaching and giving out doles, especially in places like Madhya Pradesh and northern parts of India. They keep moving from place to place without having a stable place. But, we Catholics sometimes become the targets since we have institutions and visible infrastructures like schools and hospitals. It is not easy to clarify to people about our differences regarding the methodology or mode of our mission.

How has the change in theology of the understanding of other religions affected the missionary fervour, for the better or for the worse?
I would say that to a certain extent it has affected us, because formally we followed the Church’s stand that own deliberate decision. But there are missions of people who do not know Christ. What about them? The Church certainly has declared Christ as our ‘Unique Saviour’. But as St. Paul says, how can they know Christ if they have never heard of them? Unlike earlier missionaries we cannot go about with vigorous proselytizing mission. The Church and her missionaries build up relationship with people of all religions in a spirit of dialogue. There are millions of people who sincerely seek the ‘unknown God’. Are they lost if they do not find him before they depart from this world? The change in the understanding of our mission ‘ad gentes’ and the ecclesiology after the 2nd Vatican Council has brought a balance and the Church is now more tolerant, more open and more accommodating. Dialogue has become a way of reaching a better understanding among the adherents of different religion, especially in our mission reality.

Do think Indian culture needs Christ, and if yes, in what way?
Well, it’s a complex question. But yes, Pope St. John Paul II has well explained this issue. He speaks of Evangelization cultures because culture and faith are two distinct realities and faith can elevate or purify cultures. Many cultures have age old traditions which tie them down. We see that very specially in India. I think India does need Christ because many great Indians themselves have studies and realized the value of Christ’s teaching. Some have gone even so far to say that if all Christians live the way Christ lived and taught then all in India would be Christians. The Gospel has an important role to play in the lives of our people. A majority of our people India, who are certainly sincere believers, cultivate their relation with God. Making him happy is what matters. But Christ has taught us that vertical relationship with God can be realized only when we cultivate a horizontal relationship with our brothers and Sisters. St. John the Evangelist is so clear and specific about it both in the Gospel and his letters. Loving our neighbour is the pathway to reach God. I believe that if this kind of understanding pervades our society there will be an attitudinal as well as systemic change in the country. The fanatics often cry that Christianity tries to do destroy the culture of India. Of course, they think more about the caste, class, traditions, etc.

Is Pope Francis calling for a paradigm change in understating the authority of Christ, which is no longer monological but walking the path of dialogue and synodality?
I believe that it has been and continues to be a process. The earlier popes too, at least Pope Paul the VI onwards have been following the path of dialogue and synodality. Structures and traditions take time to change. Of course Pope Francis, being from Latin America, has come out more prominently in this regard.
For Christ and in our Christian understanding, authority is always linked with service. Christ followed and taught us about servant leadership. He showed this service aspect by washing the feet of his disciples and instructing them to do likewise. Pope Francis, of Course, has come in a more prominent way to encourage synodal and dialogical path the Church should follow. He is also clear about service and servant leadership among clerics, bishops and church personnel who wield power or authority. But any change that has to take place has to come from personal conviction and openness. Even today there is much confusion about the extent that the Church should go in regard to dialogue and synodal way and authority. Hence, as I said earlier, it is a journey and it should be done together without endangering the unity of the Church.

How do you understand criticism?
Criticism can be constructive or destructive. It depend on the disposition or intention of the person. Every criticism that is constructive and/or pro-active should be taken positively. It helps the individual, group or institution to introspect and take corrective measures. We know that the Church and Church authorities face much criticism. Some see nothing good in them. It’s best not to take them too seriously in order to maintain your peace and equilibrium. But genuine criticism can be helpful for the betterment of that what is criticised. This should be attended to.

As a retired Archbishop how do you visualize the future of the Church in India?
Many within and outside the Church see the Church declining in number, power and influence. In India too many faithful are distancing themselves from the institutional Church. But they claim to be believers. Whatever the reality be, the statistics themselves are not too alarming. We need to be aware that the Church is in a pilgrim state and while the journey is on some leave due to reasons of theirs, and some others join. So also is the reality in India. Many join some denominations or sects where they may find some emotional satisfaction which they may not experience in the Catholic Church. But as Pope Emeritus has written, the future Church may be smaller, but it has a clear mission always. It is what I would say about the Church in India. It has an important role to play. The future mission of the Church may be different. Direct evangelisation may not be possible. But there are many other ways that the Church can reach millions of India. In the North there are Chritu Bhaktas who are not visible members of the Church. They come in thousands and listen to the Word of God. God’s grace works in them in a unique way. We have many new apostolates which are being pursued .. such as reaching out to, service in prisons, ministering to children and youth, women and girls, ecological concerns, … all these can be truly life enriching both for those who minister and are ministered to. This is how I see the Church being relevant for the future, not just by doing but by being as well. That is, by being a ‘mission’ for others.

You are a man of prayer; what do you pray for? Why do you pray?
Well, only God knows who is a man of prayer and who is not. But people judge us not only due to the prayerful life but also by the authenticity of the life we live.
For me what matters is not how much I pray or how long I pray. But it is the constant awareness of the Divine power that owns me, lives in me and moves me. Certainly I pray in common with the community and also privately. Celebrating the Eucharist, praying the briviary … all these are part of the normal routine. But for me what is important is the consciousness of myself as being an instrument of God to live and carry out His mission. I ask God for grace and strength to carry out this mission which he entrusted to me. Of course, I also pray for all those who have come in my life and who have been instrumental in my being what I am.

What is the source of your energy to move on in your journey? What then, is there anything to fear?
As our Blessed Mother Mary sang her Magnificat, I join her in her song of praise to God. I am extremely grateful to Him for all that he has done for me and through me. Until this part of my life’s journey I can only say ‘I am an unworthy servant; I have done only what I should have done, perhaps better than what I have done. These 50 years of my priestly journey was wonderful and eventful. I carried out my mission in 5 distinct phases – In Gujarat in the pastoral and education ministry, in Indore as provincial superior until the mid second term, in Rome as General Councillor of SVD Society until almost the fag end of my second term of six years each, in Khandwa Diocese as Bishop for eight years and then in Bhopal as Archbishop for 14 years! Well, there have been times of fear and anxiety, joys and sorrows, disappointments and satisfactions, dangers and yet full protection from Him who is the sustainer of everyone and everything.
Finally, as one of the writer/poet (I don’t remember his name right now): Being asked how he would define life, he said: life can be defined in three words: ‘It goes on!’ Yes, life goes on, as long as the good Lord accompanies me.