I would like to begin this letter by congratulating you for the excellent July 15—31st issue of Light and Truth which was largely devoted to the persecution and eventual death of Fr Stan Swamy S.J. Your Editorial too was equally impressive.

In this letter, I would like to highlight how the government machinery tried and succeeded to suppress the voice of this fearless man and through him the cries for justice of the poor and exploited people of Chhattisgarh. A few elements of the judicial establishment, knowingly or otherwise became party to this persecution, abetted by some police personnel at different levels.. How many times the members of the higher judiciary have initiated su motto proceedings against governments for misuse of laws, especially against individuals. I think Fr Stan’s was a fit case for the higher judiciary to intervene to meet the ends of justice. Well, it did not happen and I do not know why.

The Indian Constitution has provisions to ensure the protection of the fundamental rights of all people, even non citizens. Fr Stan and his colleagues worked within the framework of the Constitution. Yet trumped up charges were levelled against them by those who were oath bound to protect even those citizens who struggle for justice and the rule of law. One consoling aspect of this entire episode was that Fr Stan was rarely accused of conversion activities.

So far I have only touched upon the insensitivity of and inaction by the governmental authorities at different levels. How about the actions of the Christian community in India, especially the Catholic part of it. I do not know whether it was because the leaders did not want to irritate the high level political leaders whose favourable attitudes they valued for the discharge of their other official responsibilities. At least the president of the CBCI could have written to the Prime Minister. Nor was there any strong vocal reaction coming from other Church dignitaries, including of the Syro – Malabar Church. This was unfortunate because so many non Christian leaders belonging to various strata of society issued statements roundly criticising the government for the denial of basic human rights to Fr Stan and his co workers. What prevented our Church leaders from coming out openly to defend the rights of Stan Swamy for liberty and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of India. I do not know.

After Vatican II, so many Papal pronouncements have called upon the Church and its leaders to be involved in the fight for justice, especially on behalf of the poor and oppressed. The CBCI itself at its 1977 Plenary session held in Mumbai decided to make the subject of social justice as its main theme for its next session and allocated a sum of Rs. fifty thousand to its Secretariat to prepare the required background documentation. The 1979 Plenary session at Mangalore reaffirmed this commitment.

In this context, it is important to note what the world Synod Of Bishops had to say in its final document titled Justice In The World.”While the Church is bound to give witness to justice, it recognises that anyone who ventures to speak to people about justice must first be just in their eyes. Hence, we must undertake an examination of the modes of acting and of the possessions and life style found within the Church itself”

Taking a cue from the above declaration of Vatican II, the Society of Jesus,. at its the 34th General Congregation in March 1995, under the watchful eye of the Holy Father, passed a Resolution titled “The Jesuits’ Service to the Church” that had an even bolder advice to its members. “Despite- indeed, because of our desire to live in fidelity to the Magisterium and the Hierarchy, there may be times when we feel justified, even obliged to speak out in a way that may not always win us the general approval and could even lead to sanctions painful to the Society and constituting an impediment to our work” Fr. Stan was an S.J.member.

A more emphatic endorsement of the evolving approach of the Church to issues of social justice is to be found in Pope VI’s historic Apostolic Exhortation “Evangeli Nutianti” He wrote: “ “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are also witnesses. It is, therefore, primarily by her conduct and by her life that the Church will evangelise the world; in other words, by her living witness of fidelity to the Lord Jesus—the witness of poverty and detachment, of freedom in the face of the powers of the world”

There could not be a more heart rending appeal for justice and involvement by the Church in the cry by Pope John Paul II than he made during a speech on 10th May, 1980 in Ouagdougau, (Upper Volta) during a Papal visit to that African country. He said, “I become here the voice of those who do not have a voice…”

I have quoted at some length various Papal pronouncements just to strengthen those of us- everyone in the Catholic Church-, to reflect upon their obligations. Let me complete this letter with a statement made by a Key Note speaker at the January, 1977 Plenary meeting of the CBCI in Bombay.” In the crucible of fate you have been destined to be the voice justice and peace. Our Lord said blessed are those who fight for peace and justice. At this moment in our history, you have been called upon to be the peacemakers and preachers of justice. Many are called but few are chosen and you are amongst the chosen few. When lights are fading and hopes are dying, the question is who is there to light and uphold the torch of justice and hope. From the solitude of your heart and the loneliness of your suffering, let the message go forth to the world that you are men who care, ready to be witnesses to a new creation” Let not the sacrifices of Fr. Stan Swami and so many others like him in the distant corners of our beloved land go in vain.