Fifty-five days have passed since Manipur started burning. To this day, there has been no effective response to stop the violence. Caught between the silence of those who should take action and the helpless of the people of Manipur and those sympathetic to them, shouldn’t we be reflecting more and acting in unison? Why the deafness? The nine-year-old Manipuri girl who has sent a video message to the Prime Minister, the 550 concerned citizens who petitioned the premier, the innumerable prayer sessions, petitions, the human chain that went unreported in the mainstream media, the number of appeals by Christian leaders and others, all these raise the same question, ‘Why are they who should act responsibly, so deaf?’ At times, there is the ‘selective hearing.’ For instance, one of the senior journalists in India pointed out how the violence in panchayat elections in West Bengal got such national media coverage, while Manipur had minimal or none. The deafness and selective hearing become all the more painful when informed citizens say that the violence could be controlled within a short time, if they want it. For instance, Vibhuti Narain Rai, the former Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh state, who has studied communal violence extensively, tells us that if the political leadership wishes any violence can be brought under control within 48 hours. So, one cannot but conclude that the deafness is purposeful. They just do not want to hear the cry of the people i
Christians in general and religious orders, in particular, lay great emphasis on the obedience the subjects owe to the superior. In this context, it is insightful to reflect on the bias this obedience may carry with it.Compliance with orders issued by a higher authority is considered obedience. An actual example of obedience is when a child complies with parental instructions. Another illustration might be a soldier obeying orders from a commander.The phrase “obedience to authority bias,” popular in business ethics and behavioral psychology, refers to the tendency for people to support those who they believe to be authoritative leaders. Even if the individual thinks what they are doing is immoral, this is still true.This submission to authority is viewed in psychology and ethics as a bias with unfavourable outcomes. People frequently agree to do things that they otherwise wouldn’t do on their own as a result of obedience. It only takes one person’s authority to persuade someone to make a poor decision.The propensity for people to appease those in control is known as obedience to authority. This could also signify a readiness to carry out unethical directives. According to psychological research, people often have a tendency to respect and obey those they believe to be in legitimate positions of authority. If people fail to utilize their own independent ethical judgment, this could be problematic.Most people are able to foresee their superiors’ ne
In May this year, the Jesuits had their Procurators’ Congregation in Loyola, Spain – a meeting of 88 representatives from all the provinces and regions. In the meeting they deliberated and discerned on the status of the Society of Jesus, the ways ahead in the Mission of Jesus and whether a General Congregation/Chapter should be called. Overall, it was a fruitful time of collective self-examination, prayers and deliberations for a renewed religious life. As a participant, while walking within the vicinity of Loyola, the birthplace of St.Ignatius of Loyola, I saw a huge building on a hillock, a convent. In that house which could easily accommodate a hundred people, now hardly twenty live. All consecrated women above sixty years. It is only a question of few years, when the building would be sold and the few remaining will move to some old age home. Many of the Catholic religious congregations, both men and women, are struggling. Some are dying. So the question remains, how will the consecrated religious life survive? Granting that this mode of life is fundamentally faith-based, the ultimate answer is of course, it will survive, if God wants it to. Meanwhile, what can the members of such religious congregations do on their part? Lessons from Vatican II The answer that was given by Vatican II remains valid even today: “The appropriate renewal of religious life involves two simultaneous processes: a continuous return to the sources of all Christian life and to each com
M L Satyan, Bengaluru, Matters India
Dear Stan, It is your birthday today here on earth! You would have completed eighty-six years, if you were around. Well, that was not to be; on 5 July 2021 you were murdered by a brutal and fascist regime, which did not want a human rights defender like you to continue living! This is your second earthly birthday up above. Not sure how you will be celebrating it! But here on earth dear Stan you are missed very much! Countless people remember you: your compassion and commitment; your courage to identify with them and their struggles. These are mostly simple, ordinary people; the Adivasis and the Dalits; the excluded and the exploited, the poor and the marginalised. You lived in their midst; you basked in their presence; you smelled of the sheep like a truly good shepherd. They celebrate you today and will always do so! There is certainly no doubt of that! But I am writing this birthday letter based on the recent conversation I had with you! I can see you smiling (you always had that halting, tentative smile – slow, gentle but warm) and I can imagine others who reading this and with a sneer saying “Conversation with Stan? There must be something wrong with him!” Well let them say what they want – but I will hold my ground! It was the night of April 13/14 (less than two weeks ago), Frs. Tom Kavala and P.M. Anthony invited me to spend the night in Bagaicha. This was your home – before the ’powerful’ so unceremoniously took you away on 8 October 2021 lik
