Listen to the Survivors

The last two months have been crucial time for the church and women. After the much awaited sex scandal by the clergy report was made public and the sex allegations against USA supreme Court nominee Bret Kavanaugh, it has become very clear that victims or survivors must be heard against any sort of gimmicks of the powerful.
Invariably, the church leaders met with each other to propose what is the best way forward after these revelations. It seemed like the church leaders yet again failed to keep the survivors as the priority rather they made the institutional priority not to endanger the reputation of the church. Reputation of the church is in crisis at the moment marred by sexual abuse by it's clergy.
In the case of Bret Kavanaugh, it is clear that the leaders are quick to assume power to confirm this judge to the supreme Court, rather than listening and investigating the allegations of sexual abuse towards multiple women. It is the way the powerful would like to protect and promote the predators to high positions. 
Every survivor must be infuriated at this atrocious move by the powerful few. It is a way to control and suppress the voice of the survivor. Me too movement has taken a deep root among the victims of sexual abuse. It has helped to bring down male chaunist ego. The church and state leaders now have the task to listen carefully to the people on the pew and on the streets as to what they have to say about the sexual abuse. The change is coming but slowly. The change is hard and painful for both, powerful and survivors. It is important not to give up in this struggle for change.

Positive Theology

In my early formation of belief in God was that of a policeman. Sin was always on the forefront of any faith formation. Topic of sin was made relavant with ample examples both from the Bible and from our day today life. There was a moral yardstick to control and prevent one from sinning. Idea of punishing God became our daily bread. For instance, if we don't eat as children, God would punish us or if we didn't do our homework, God would punish us. God was more like a negative figurehead that helped parents and teachers to ease their burden of teaching and guiding children.
The punishing God impacted my adult life as well creating certain fear. Sin and God became parallel. Infinite and loving God was limited to a policeman God. We must move away from this kind of God. We must move from punishing God to prosperous God. That is, God of punishment to God of prosperity. Imagine how does a mother care for her child in times of struggles and joy. A mother will be living and caring to her children. The action and behavior of children surpasses mother's love for them. Our God is like a mother who's love and care surpasses our weakness and struggle. In other words, sin must surpass God's goodness and mercy. That doesn't allow us to hurt each other because God is love and God expects us to love each other. If God loves us he expects us to love others. So there is no room for sin in a positive theology. Positive theology must do away with sin and propose only prosperity. There is no place for negativity in the God of positivity.

Indigenous Artifacts Destroyed

It was a sad day for those who love to research and admire artefacts, documents and artworks to witness it reduced to ashes on September 2 at the National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. The destruction of indigenous artefacts and research documents, including relics of tribes that are considered extinct, represented a far more personal blow for the descendants of Brazil’s oldest inhabitants, who have spent decades fighting to preserve their heritage and ancestral lands. The museum contained a collection of thousands of indigenous artefacts pertaining to hundreds of ethnic groups. This collection gave insight into understanding indigenous roots. It has given the indigenous people identify in the national and international arena.

Having lived in Brazil and in Aishalton, my heart goes out to the indigenous people who painstakingly try to uphold their ancient culture and history. I appreciate the hard work and commitment that some people display to safeguard the identity of indigenous people through artefacts and documents of yesteryear. The collection of these artefacts and documents can empower their fight for identity and lands. When this is all gutted in the fire, what is left of them now? There is only ash left of it at the smouldering museum ground. As I sympathize with everyone who has felt the loss of the museum in Brazil, I wish to appeal to everyone to be extra careful in safeguarding the ancient artefacts and documents especially that of our indigenous people. These ancestral properties could give great and significant insight into the culture, history, language and importantly identity of those people in our contemporary world. 

Fr Jerome D'Souza the Statesman

My bewitchment in the early politics and founding of constitution of India lead me to write this tribute to Fr Jerome D’Souza. There are multiple kinds of literature on this great personality, but I am embarking on this write up lest we forget the contribution made by Fr. D’Souza during the birth of Independent and Republic India. I will not be able to discuss everything that Fr. D’Souza did for the welfare of India, but I would like to draw your attention towards his contribution as a parliamentarian of the independent India that includes his main input into the Constitution of India.

Fr. Jerome D’Souza is a Jesuit priest who was missioned with many important tasks as an educationist.  He was a professor of English Literature along with heavy responsibilities as the principal and rector successively in two colleges for fifteen years between 1935 to 1950. His involvement in Madras University affairs brought him to the public domain with an excellent talent as a public speaker and orator. This brings him to the attention of the political leaders such as C. Rajagopalachari, who sponsored Fr. Jerome’s election to the Indian Constituent Assembly. He won the regard and respect of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru because of Fr. Jerome’s talent as a speaker, as a master of many languages, as an educationist of repute and person of balanced judgement uncommitted to partisan politics by the very nature of his profession as a religious priest. He was selected four times as a member of the Indian Delegation to the United Nations and once to UNESCO. Nehru sought Fr. Jerome’s advise on delicate and behind-the-scenes negotiations with the French Government on the transfer of Pondicherry and other French territories in India. His expertise helped the Holy See and Indian Government in the diplomatic intervention about to Portugal’s exercise of the Padroado or Patronage in ecclesiastical appointment in India.

Fr. Jerome’s love for education and later his involvement in the constitution of India as a representative of minority group comes from his native birthplace of suburbs of Mangalore. His birth and childhood happen between Kinnigoli and Mulki which lies on the highway from Mangalore to Udupi. He was born on the 6^th August 1897. His childhood was spent at his maternal place called Sagar Bhavan in Mulki. He had four brothers and one sister. A great deal of walking had to be done either for school or church. His mother made sure that her children are educated. One incident that Fr Jerome later recalls that he came home without going to school and explained to his mother that it is a holiday for Hindu festival. When mother enquired this was not true, Fr Jerome was tied to a bar in the kitchen. But he escaped by asking his three-year-old sisters to cut the rope using a knife. He triumphantly appeared before his mother in freedom and compared himself to Christ bound and scourged. He was complemented later in life for the love of many languages. He did this by self-learning and could speak six languages with ease; Konkani, his mother tongue, Marathi, Tulu, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Tamil and English. His early schooling took place in St Aloysius College. Although he had an opportunity to study in London, he decided to stay in St. Joseph’s Trichy since he has come to like Tamil culture. After his studies, he comes back to teach at Joseph’s as a lecturer in English in 1920-1921. This was the turning point in the life of Fr Jerome when he decides to join the priesthood in the order of Jesuits in 1921.

Member of the Constituent Assembly: pro-minority

Fr Jerome is well remembered as the member of Constituent Assembly apart from all other titles and positions that he held. It is with pride I can say he is the beloved son of an infant India for Fr Jerome’s contribution to the making of India’s Constitution and of the significant and vital role he played in the drafting of those sections of the Constitutions which affected the Minorities. While he was serving as the principal of Loyola College, Madras, he was elected as one of the 39 members from Madras by the Legislative Assembly without any canvassing for votes. The then Chief Minister of Madras State Mr C. Rajagopalachariar asked Fr Jerome to serve on the Constituent Assembly as one of the Christian representatives. He entered the Assembly on the 9^th December 1946. Fr Jerome made friends with many leading men and women of the country and was became a witness to all that he was and had received as an educationist, a priest and a religious. It was a great opportunity such as is given to very few in history.

Fr Jerome worked at the Constitution from 1946 to 1949. He his main concern was with the safeguarding of fundamental rights and minority rights: the right to profess, practice and propagate religion, to all citizens freedom of education, freedom of association etc. Fr Jerome sums up his work as follows,

 “When fundamental rights were made justiciable, that is when any violation of them by individuals or governments could be challenged in a court of Law, the Christians felt that the safeguard of preserving minority rights by reserving special seats for them in the Legislatures on the basis of their population, was no longer necessary and that in the interests of national integration it was best to merge with and become part of the general electorate.”

 Fr Jerome, apart from these fundamental and minority rights, took part in almost all other discussions which led up to the drawing up of the Constitution of India. The above fundamental and minority rights have been discussed in the Constitution in detail. This sums up Fr Jerome’s key contribution to the drawing up of the Constitution.

Fr Jerome at the United Nations

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru nominated Fr Jerome as the member of the Indian Delegation to the UN for the first time in September 1949. His task to serve the country did not end after the drawing up of the Constitution but his expertise was needed by the country to represent at the UN. It was a joy for Fr Jerome to represent the country among other four members and they were from Madras and from South Kanara District which was part of Madras Presidency. He went to Rome to learn first-hand information from the Vatican on certain international problems and to brief Superior of the Jesuits. Hence, he flew to New York on September 19 on a UN Mission.

It was the fourth session of the General Assembly of the UN in 1949 that Fr Jerome attended as one of the Indian Delegation. One of the key aspects that stood out at the UN Assembly was that the presence of a Catholic Priest from India which evoked a good deal of surprise – a pleasant surprise. People in Europe and American were not aware of the numbers and position of the Christian Community in India. It was an opportunity for the whole world to hear about Christian Community in India and particularly happy to learn the attitude of the Christians in the national struggle, of the guarantee given to them and other minorities in the Constitution and o the number and importance of Christian educational and social works in India.

During this UN Assembly President Truman also announced that Russia possessed atomic weapons and must bring into immediate and urgent importance the work of the Atomic Energy Commission. One can grasp the significance of this UN Assembly and its vital discussions surrounding important issues such as atomic weapons. This could also remind us of the struggle between Russia and America even to date. He was also on the Indian Delegation of the UN at Parish session in 1951-52 in which he addressed the French Canadians with fluent French. He was four times selected to be a member of the Indian Delegation at the UN.

In conclusion, as we remember Fr Jerome’s contribution to India as a priest, religious, educationist and statesman in the context of social and political events, let us draw two important lessons from his life. Firstly, India will always remain a cradle of religions, whether majority religion such as Hinduism and minority religion such as Christianity. Fr Jerome’s contribution must help us to be tolerant towards other religions because it is in respect for other religions to make India a true secular yet unique country. India has had its share of division and violence but in our contemporary India, we have the responsibility to respect and uphold each other’s rights that Fr Jerome’s worked in the Constitution.

Secondly, India needs to promote academic excellence irrespective of religion or political affiliations. Fr Jerome was a Catholic priest, principal and religious yet he was a statesman who did not take political sides. His neutral yet people-oriented opinions elevated him to the person he was. India cannot ignore intelligent and genuine opinions because those opinions are not biased and will help to build India. India has a long way to go in this regard since India has been silencing genuine voices from the University benches. Long live Hindustan, Jai Hind. 

Church in China

This week has seen one of the blatant violation of religious freedom in China. The Chinese government has been destroying crosses, burning bibles, closing churches and forcing Christian believers to sign papers renouncing their faith as the crackdown on religious congregations in Beijing and several provinces intensifies. The suppression of religious freedoms is part of an official campaign to “Sinicize” religion by demanding loyalty to the atheist Communist party and removing any potential challenge to the party’s power in the country.

The anti-religion campaign affected not only Christian denominations. Around 1 million Uighurs and other members of Muslim minority groups in the country's northwest have been detained in indoctrination camps where they are forced to denounce Islam and profess loyalty to the Communist Party. Hence, it is obvious that communist ideology is rampant and has been robust in instilling it.

According to Chinese laws, religious believers are allowed to worship only in government-sanctioned congregations. But many millions of Christians belong to underground or house churches that ignore government regulations. Religious persecution is not new to the Chinese Christians. They have been persecuted for a long time but imminently after 2012. As Christians, we have the duty and responsibility to condemn any form of violation of religious freedom. We can reach out to the Christians and other religious people who have to practice their faith in fear and trembling. We are blessed to live in a free country where one can go to Church without any fear and trembling but think of those Christians who go to Church with fear. I am aware the best way to reach out to them now is to pray for them during our Mass, rosary and such. But if you think of any other way we can reach out to them, feel free to share with each other about it.

Source: Fox News

Accidents in Guyana

It was heart-wrenching to hear yet another accident on the Soesdyke-Linden highway. My heart goes out to the victims’ family who must live in pain and grief. As I try to grapple with the accident, I hear about another accident that took the life of a young boy. It makes me feel sad and upset about these road accidents that could be avoided if only a person can be extra careful because once we are on the wheels we have the responsibility of being twice careful. I am afraid that we are getting used to hear about fatal road accidents for the moment and move on with our lives. The victims add to the number of fatalities in the road accidents. There is a culture of death in this world that is permeating our precious lives. At times it appears life does not matter anymore. I am afraid we have reached a stage where the more we hear, the more we will get used to it. I am advocating the culture of life. We have a responsibility for each other in this world. It is unfair to think that they are not our family or our friends. It is crucial to care for each other on our roads. I believe that we are not only driving our own vehicle but also, we are helping others drive safely. Let us promote a culture of life. Let us employ whatever measures that keep us safe on the road not only for ourselves but for the other road users. Let us not get used culture of death where death is accepted as if life does not matter. 

Anger

Anger is measured by the aftermath effects. Humans can show emotions of getting mad at someone or something. Many have gotten mad while driving, such as traffic lights, someone cutting into your lane, ignoring indications and so on. This can be so frustrating while we rush to reach our destination on time. Why do we get mad at someone? Do we have to get mad? We have every right to get mad at someone who is harmful to us and to others. Anger is a normal emotion or feeling that is an integral part of the human psyche. It is natural for any human to feel anger.

What triggers anger? There can be many triggers to anger. We can feel anger when we are treated unfairly by our family, people at the workplace, society and the universe. This trigger activates our emotions of frustration and then leads to anger. We might be angry with time and pressure at deadlines. When we fail to meet deadlines, our anger mode can be triggered. The feeling of hurt can obviously trigger anger. The threat to self-esteem or ego can be the recipe to anger. Discrimination can also create a feeling of an upset in us. We might be upset with most of the “isms” such as racism, capitalism, socialism and so on. There might be many more triggers to anger in our lives. These triggers are personal, and we must figure out what are my triggers to anger. It is important to identify triggers of anger to deal with anger. Thus, the first step is to find out what is my trigger or what triggers my anger? What makes me angry most often?

Anger is that part of the age-old fight or flight response to the threat. Most animals use this response whilst posed with the threat. The consequence of anger plays a significant part. In other words, the behaviour of anger is worth addressing than the feeling of anger itself. Anger can be a motivational drive or assertive anger to do something better for society and on the hand, anger can be destructive or behavioural anger if it executed to harm others and ourselves. To site traffic example again, if one is upset about the traffic and is triggered to drive recklessly, it can cause harm or be pulled over by police. In this example, one could not avoid the feeling of anger but could avoid reckless driving. In conclusion, anger is complex to discuss but it is worth exploring our own personal anger triggers and how one manages these triggers. Anger is good and not good depending on what is a result. Each of us must know our capacity to feel and execute anger.  

Prejudice

Martin Luther King Jr said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” Prejudice is nothing but an opinion without evidence. It is disheartening when one is judged based on some preconceived ideas that are embedded in the human brains. These ideas are not proven but can cause enormous damage to the victim of prejudice. Human prefrontal cortex stores and expels the messages that are not properly aligned with the evidence.

The movie ‘the blind side’ is the perfect example to show how prejudice against stout people was damaging but also is a perfect example of going against the prejudice to be successful in sports despite stoutness. In this movie, the stout boy was bullied and told he is good for nothing, so he believed in it. But his stepmother makes him disbelieve so that he can be a famouSportsterer. There always a tendency to believe what others say about us even though it is not proven to be true. This believe of prejudice can stifle our growth and eventually might ruin our lives.

Prejudice is fueled by belief can ruin a person to the ruts. Prejudices are often transmitted for a specific agenda. A person might be subject to prejudice so that his agenda can be met. Conviction of a prejudice takes place for a wrong reason. In our society, there are prejudices against women, children, people of color, men, uneducated, sick, old people and so on. The prejudices must be treated as prejudices until they are proven to be true. Do not allow yourself to be pressed down by prejudices rather treat them as decorated gossips. Prejudices are almost always not true. They are detrimental to the growth of a person. They can also be fueled by bullying, cat-calling, gossips, bad-talking, back-biting, doctrines and propaganda. If you can’t prove it, shove it. In conclusion, if you are subject of prejudice, firstly, look for proofs and then only believe or disbelieve. We must allow ourselves to be suppressed by another person’s agenda. Opinions cannot be treated as truth unless they are proved to be true. Our memories of prejudices can be painful and ruin our lives, hence, it is significant to check our memories. On the other hand, we shall not believe and involve in prejudices rather let us be truthful. 

Love

C.S. Lewis in his book ‘The four loves’ talks about four kinds of human love; affection, friendship, erotic love and love of God. The author discusses the benefits and dangers of these four loves. Each one is significant for human development yet can be destructive if it is not understood as it should. Human experience has taught us that we look, fall and remain in love. Love unites and keeps this universe together. Hence, love is truly an attribute of God because God is love.

Every human being has experienced love from another human being. Love from family and friends are the key to our existence. When two young people fall in love, they become codependent on each other, in other words, they lean on each other. There will be the devastating impact of fall when one is taken out of the support. There must be two persons to lean on each other. This can be applied to family members. Many people feel devasted when their beloved drop them halfway. They feel no sense of meaning in life and no one to lean on.

Are we love ready? This is coming from God for God is love and we are loveable. There is not condition such as I am loveable only if I am perfect. We are worthy of love for we have created to love each other. This is almost true for every human. Every human is loveable not because of perfection. It is humans put conditions to love. There is also an aspect of falling in love where human falls in love with another human. This is the natural design of God. In this, we are in limerence where love is transitional. We are either confirmed or unconfirmed in love. For instance, I can leave a person if something happens or does happen. One must be careful here to grow in love or grow out of love. Being in love is paramount in every human love. In this, we make the choice to be in love or out of love. If we stay in love, we go deeper in love. Hence, there will be an unconditional love between two humans. In conclusion, we examine our lives of love. Love can be beautiful when it is selfless, and it can be dangerous when it is selfish. Let us know that we are loveable because God is love and let us try to be in love with a deeper love. 

Happiness

Wiseman once told me, ‘we can be happy when we conquer ourselves and not the world and we can be happy because we love the world and not ourselves’. It is almost by default humans can portray a strong dichotomy between our inner and outer self. Humans have the ability not to show our inner self. Happiness is the expression of our inner self or soul. It is true that only our pillow knows whether we are happy or not. The fundamental question is ‘what is that makes my inner self-comfortable?’ Therefore, happiness is truly experienced from within oneself. Can a person be considered happy when he smiles and laughs with others?

In this consumeristic world, happiness means stimulating our senses. This is portrayed by consumer advertisements such as ‘a way of true happiness’ or ‘you deserve to be happy’ or ‘your happiness is our goal’ etc. We are enveloped in a consumeristic world where we are told what to do to be happy. We are fall prey for these empty promises in the false premise of happiness. Therefore, happiness is limited to only sensuality and not the integrity of the human being.

Material things can give us comfort and a comfortable life can give us happiness. On the other hand, minimum material things also can give us comforts and hence happiness. For some family can give happiness and for others, the family might be a place of sadness. Given these above experiences of life, we can say that happiness is relative, and it can differ to everyone. Although there are fancy definition and steps to happiness, there is no magic formula to happiness. Happiness is measured by how comfortable your soul or inner self is. This is known to you only and only you can show your happiness to others. Mature people know their source of happiness and they can feel that true happiness in the inner sanctuary of life. Happiness also can be a long run or short run. It can differ each day and each year. In conclusion, it is important to search for happiness within than without. We must make our inner self the sanctuary of happiness and from this sanctuary, we can emulate happiness. Our inner self will be our true self because we do not always show our true feelings in our outer self. Lastly, let us sit back in a quiet zone and feel our inner self to probe our happiness. This is an art and must be practised especially in our noisy world. 

Failure

Lao-Tsu said, “to see things in the seed, that is genius.” Parents wish that their children succeed in life and they also wish that they do even better than them. Parents see the potential in their children. Most children work hard to meet these expectations of their parents. When the children fail in the expectations, parents also feel a sense of failure. What is a failure? Is failure good? What does failure teach us? Most people have the experience of failure in their lives. Some have failed perpetually and other have turned around from the failure.

Those who have gotten low grades in school years will recall the disappointment and shame that accompanied it. But most people have taken this failure in school grades as a stepping stone to do better in the next tests. This is a perfect example of failure and success. Teachers in schools help the students not to remain in one failure rather push them to do better. The shame of low grades has propelled many students to fair well. Red grades have helped many to soar to a height of success.

Failure is a temporary setback. It is significant to move forward when we fail rather than crying over spilt milk. Failure is a negative state of life which keeps us on guard. It is in failure we experience sadness, shame, guilt, hopelessness, depression and every negative quality. This is a common human experience but remaining on negative experience can be detrimental to our lives. Failure must truly be stepping stone to success. Ask any successful person, what failure means to them. Almost all would tell us that failure has taught them to be strong and believe in oneself. Human experience must teach to be better humans. Failure one trait that would help us to thrive towards success. In conclusion, failure can be our daily bread, but we must look for proper support systems which will help us to thrive. In failure, we must be strong and not give in to bad traits of life. Where do we go when we fail? We must find good people who can help us sail through the rough sea. Therefore, failure is the vehicle that can be steered where it could go and where it must not go. The person in failure has to work on steering towards thriving. 

Prayer of Child Abuse Victim

Lord, thou heard my languish of heart-wrenching pain

I cried to heaven yet my cry was silenced 

Thou silence quietened cry of my pain

Ignored have I walked alone.

Oh God, I never stopped outcrying 

The more I kept quiet, the more it got louder

My outcry was louder than the measures put to silence it

I thought my heart is deaf or Thou are mumbling 

At last, Lord of the pain heard my outcry

Painful outcry overpowered the might cover-up

Lord, I thank you for divine intervention 

Yet again, you showed us on which side you stand

Continue to listen to the painful languish 

Bring justice to the little ones of the world.

 Amen

(Inspired by the letter written by the Pope as a response to the child abuse grand jury report)

Crow raises the bar

It was fascinating to read in the New York Times on 19 August about crows are being trained to clean up the park in France. The crows are trained to pick up cigarette buds from the park and dash it in the bin. The trainer has six crows which are brought in a box to the park and sent to clean up the park and as a reward, they are given a piece of cheese. This might look like animal abuse or work but crows like to play. The trainer opined that it is a play for the crows and in fact they enjoy doing it. He also says that it is to make people guilty that they should clean the park, not the crows. 

While this fascinated me, I wondered how animals can be taught to do something good like this and they do it faithfully. Of course, crows are considered to be intelligent birds. Do you think they are more intelligent than humans? Then why humans don't clean up but mess up the park? Humans also need to be taught even though humans are intelligent beings. What is taught to humans is important but soon taken for granted or can be influenced by other factors such as this, not our park or I didn't dirty the park and so on?

Animals also have a degree of belonging to nature hence they can feel with nature. If they feel nature is not suitable or habitable they migrate to a better habitable place in nature. They are close to nature than humans. It is important that humans take some cues from animals so that our nature is protected and kept clean. In fact, humans need nature more than animals because most animals can migrate from one place to the other without much difficulty. But humans cannot migrate so easily for there are more constraints of migrating.

Sin in the Church.

It is nauseating to read the Grand Jury report on priests abuse in the State of Pennsylvania yet it is not easy to erase the reality that has long been swept under the carpet with a strategic cover-up by the Church authority. As my Sunday pastor perched today, "secret has made the church sick and enough is enough." The Catholics find themselves in quandary in this whole sage of child molestation in the church. They are so confused about what to say and what to do now. Obviously, every Catholic would stand with the victims but can they condemn their church? 

The grand jury report has enshrined the abuse done by the predator priests graphically. The predator priests who took nude photos of a bit posing as a Christ on the cross. Another predator priest forced a boy to give him oral sex, then washed his mouth with holy water. Another predator priest abused a boy so violently over several years that his back was injured. These are the few evil acts of predator priests out of so many to mention here on this blog. 

The grand jury has brought a huge slap to the church. This slap must have been brought about 3 decades ago. Hence, victims could have brought some sense of justice. 

Three things to note, firstly, the grand jury is strongly condemning the cover-up by the Church while this could have dealt with more efficiently. Most of these cases cannot be prosecuted now because they are beyond the statute of limitations. This means the victims have not been served justice because of the hush up was done by the Church authority. Most cases the predator priests were moved to another place without any alarm. 

Secondly, the revelations have taught us that it's time to speak up and not remain secret. Victims will feel ashamed but it's not their fault. Victims must speak up in due time so that they are safe in the hands of the powerful. If parents see any signs of behavioural changes in your children or they tell you that someone touched them inappropriately, don't shun them to shut up but try to inquire what has happened behind that behaviour. The church also needs to speak up because harbouring and protecting a predator is more dangerous than being shamed for justice. Jesus will appreciate if the evil is reported to the proper authorities. The church does not have trained investigators, hence, hand over the case to the competent authority. 

Thirdly, this is a humanitarian crisis not merely sexual and spiritual crises. Just like, refugee crises, every attention must be given to this. Everyone must get angry but not lose hope. Righteous anger can challenge us not to withdraw but to embrace because the victims need us now more than anyone else. If Catholics run away from the church now it simply gives the impression that we don't want to take responsibility for the acts of the church leaders so we technically remain silent to protect ourselves. Catholics and other faiths must stand together to fight this cancer of abuse in the church and society. There will be fear, anxiety and hopelessness as we follow our faith. But this can be turned around only if we embrace our fear so that courage can be our reward in our faith. 

In conclusion, it important to report of any suspicion of abuse to the competent authority. As the Gospel says, everything hidden in dark will be brought to light. Nothing can be hidden in this world. No place for secrets in this issue. See something, say something, know something, say something. This way we can protect our innocent children from the predators. Let's us learn from this experience of abuse and cover-up that God is speaking that evil cannot be tolerated. God always speaks to about tired but powerful have silenced God's voice of justice. Give God a voice please and don't silence him. 

Prison in Brazil

An experience

Whatsoever you do to the least of my brother that you do unto me. This is my first impression whenever I did prison ministry. After being a small help at Wandsworth prison, I had. An opportunity to explore prison apostolate in Brazil. I was rather reluctant despite my positive disposition of prison ministry because of the formalities that the prison system follows here in Brazil. But with slight luck and encourage d by my Jesuit brothers I ventured into one of the Brazilian prisons. 

This prison is one among seven other prisons in the area of Belo Horizonte. I could go to prison for mass only two times in seven months. This means only two masses in seven months. This is the tragedy of Catholic faith in a Catholic country. The first time I went, it was rather penetrating into a war zone area because I had to go through 4 times security check which quite contrary to London where I used enjoy going in singing hallelujah without any security checks. It was almost a strip check. But this time slightly better, I was pleased to see a huge cabin in which we go to stand and a scanner films you this then projected on a computer screen before a grim-faced officer. This is a new technology which has reduced 4 person job into one. After all this, I was not allowed to carry anything except an alb and a stole which is fair enough. My only concern was the rays from the scanner would affect me anyway there we are. 

Inside now, we could entertain only about 20 prisoners for mass but we were asked to celebrate mass in a large quadrangle facing the cells. There were about 14 cells on two floors and each cell contained about 8 to 10 prisoners. This looked it was overcrowded. The cells are meant for about 4 and the rest have sleep on the floor with a thin mat. This shows the contrast between dear Wandsworth prison and Brazil. 

I had a great blessing of saying mass for them. My voice was not able to overshadow the noise that was rocketing from the cells because we were out of microphones. I was able to shout with the top of my voice so that people in the cells could hear me. But I would assure that this mass was one of my best masses because I felt a strong and hovering presence of God in that quadrangle. The prisoners were attentive and overly religious with their heads bowed down and hands folded in a great reverence to the Eucharist. This showed me that God loves everyone irrespective of who we are. The Eucharist was really a chance to pour their hearts out to the Lord. They were so joyful to sing the songs they knew and the rest clapping to the beats of the song. The communion was distributed with utter reverence. The prisoners in the cells weren't able to come therefore we had to pass the communion through the rails of the cell. This again showed me their respect and homage to the holy communion. It was a moving experience for me. This experience has made me think that God is present particularly in the lowly and rejected and condemned by the society. 

Most of them have a rough background thus they are forced into wrongdoing which has ended them to the prison. Some of them had some horror stories to share but had to interrupt since I had time constraints. I could spend the whole day listening to only two people. They need someone to listen that they are forced into drugs and their family has no one to care for. This might sound routine story for us who have been working and listening to the prisoners but it is not routine for them at all. It is a profound and deep experience for them when they open up their hearts. Most of them feel that they are erred and want to rectify and none of them would like to go back to the same old trade. This is important for as they feel sorry for their wrongs and none would like to go back. 

Most of them have families and kids, some of them even many women and many children to care for. Some of them are far away from them and cannot afford to visit them in the prison. Poverty has to lead their families to withdraw from every social activity in the society. This is a huge problem and challenge for us who are right in the society. How can we love and treat these shattered families and restore faith once more? This is a big question for me as well. I am trying to understand why do we lock up a prisoner and take them around like an animal in chains? 

Tribute to a Cheerful Nun

Words are not enough to express gratitude to Sister Admirabilis Browne who has passed on to her heavenly abode. Sister Admi has left an ineradicable mark in the hearts of so many Guyanese. Likewise, I had the honour of experiencing her pleasant demeanour. We have been touched by sister in exceptional ways. Sister was born in 1924. She went to Sacred Heart School and St. Joseph’s School in Georgetown. Early education in these schools emulated her religious vocation to the Sisters of Mercy. After taking a job for few years, she entered Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in 1947 in Dallas, Pennsylvania.  She pursued an MA in Mathematics from Fordham University. Her contribution towards education and hospital has been outstanding. She was the administrator at Mercy Hospital in Georgetown for several years.   

Sister celebrating her 70th anniversary recalled a simple yet profound experience in Mercy Hospital as a young sister. She was walking down the corridor when a young boy ran up to her called her, “Auntie Jesus, Auntie Jesus.” The boy has been taught to address a woman as Auntie and the boy noticed the cross on sister, hence the boy called her, ‘Auntie Jesus’. This encounter with the boy reminded sister to be like Jesus. Encounters as this will make us truly disciples of Jesus. Through this encounter, Sister encourages us to be close to Jesus even if it seems like He is not close to us, to know that God is doing His own thing to strengthen us. Therefore, do not be discouraged or worry when things are not going right.

 Her cheerfulness and love engulfed with a contagious smile is the hallmark of her life. Anyone who has met sister will never leave without being refreshed with a charming smile. She loved everyone in her own way since she believed in the love of God and love of people. She preached and practised her own saying ‘seeing happiness in others made you happy.’ This charming quality comes from her relationship with God for she articulates, ‘listen to the inner voice of yourself where God speaks.’ Sister encourages us to love Jesus not merely in a distant way but focus on loving those around us and this will have an amazing impact on

us. Her approach towards the young people was to meet them from where they are, although sister belonged to the ‘typewriter’ era. Therefore, she is loved and missed by many young people. I personally admired her for her attentive ear towards my preaching in the Church even though she had wealth of knowledge and spirituality. She has inspired me to remain humble because in humility we praise God. As we celebrate her life in gratitude, we imbibe the qualities of cheerfulness, love, humility and acceptance of a changing world. I conclude with her own motto, “All for Jesus through Mary.” 

Oil in Guyana

Allow me to express my gratitude in disappointment with a few articles and videos on Guyana surfacing online and especially on Social Media. These opinions from outside Guyana are juicy to the readers and viewers. The article in New York Times on Guyana’s oil stirred our guts and few of us had the courtesy to rebut the arguments. Although a few opinions are a matter of concern that we need to address. There are a few videos being circulated on Guyana’s Oil on social media that are damaging the image of our beautiful Guyana. These videos presentations are very interesting but from an outside perspective. I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinions. Someone else’s opinions must not derail our belief in ourselves as a strong compact nation. However, there is no harm in discussing other opinions and if they are true, let us utilize them for the betterment of Guyana.

Some persons believe that once you have a pencil you are a writer or once you have a camera, you are a journalist. This is untruly true in this highly social media-driven world. I mean to say, anyone can post anything online and there are always people who buy this with less or no wisdom. That is where we have a problem. Oil is true in Guyana, but it must be a concern for Guyanese and not for others to tell us what we should do or what we will become. We, as Guyanese, must be strong at this time and not give in to external pressure. Whatever people say, we know who we are. Let us stand together as a nation and not as Indo and Afro Guyanese. We are a nation of multiple diversities and let this be our strength during these crucial times. Let us help our leaders, both ruling and opposition to come to the table to guard our wealth and resources. This way, we can truly channel our resources for the betterment of our country. Just ignore anything that is not true and take only what is true. Let us not waste time on ignorance of outsiders rather let us believe in our strength. Our strength is their ignorance.

Auntie Enid and her thirst for Eucharist

I am grateful to God for Auntie Enid, especially for her unceasing support in my ministry. Through prayer and friendship, she has won many hearts. Although I am saddened by her passing from this earthly journey, her memories will remain with me. She has impacted me in two aspects, namely, friendship and her thirst for the Eucharist.

Each of us has 'relationship circles' wherein the innermost circle represents our own self and then right outside it we have intimate or loyal friends and then we have familiar friends and then we have acquaintances and then outer most is danger zone friendships. Over the years we shift friends and family from one circle to the other. It is natural for us to be friends with someone but not all will be our intimate friends. Some events might send some our intimate friends or family right outside into one of those circles depending on the relationship. I am glad to say that I have many friends and family in my inner circle of relationship with whom I can share my struggles and joys and vice versa. Auntie Enid is one of those who joined my inner circle of a relationship about 3 years ago. This was possible through Pat Pierre with whom I used to visit the sick at public hospital. After our visit to the hospital, we would take a break at Auntie Enid's home and get my advice, wisdom and support from this great woman.  I would truly miss this lovely time of rejuvenating. I urge us all to make sure that we support each other so that our goal must be to join the inner circle of relationship and not merely acquaintances.

The Eucharist was truly a source and summit of Auntie Enid's life. I had the privilege of taking the Eucharist for her many times at her home. There wasn’t a low point in her life as long as she has her Eucharist. She was the beloved of the Eucharist. She truly believed that Jesus has come to her home when the Eucharist was brought to her. She cherished the Communion service and she had made a Thanksgiving prayer in which she expressed her gratitude to God for all the people in her life. Her love for the Eucharist has given me strength. I am sure this has been the experience of priests and ministers who took Communion to her. She longed for the Eucharist and when she got it she highly rejoiced. I appeal to each of us that we also may value the Eucharist in our lives. It a privilege to welcome Christ into our lives. Let us be joyful for we have Eucharist in our churches. I believe that the Eucharist is the heart of the Church without which Church won’t survive very long. 

Lessons from World Cup 2018

The Football World Cup in Russia has been a wonderful experience for many of us. It has taught many emotional and spiritual lessons. There have been myriad opportunities to showcase our love and talent for football. It has been a positive experience to learn and to know not only about the game but about the culture and tradition of other nations. It has helped me to admire and celebrate the uniqueness of each people represented in the world cup. I have come to gather five lessons that I have learnt from the world cup 2018. I have discussed them here lest we forget about this world cup. Let this world cup remain with us always.

Spiritual Goal: “Everyone who competes in games undergoes strict training.” (1Cor 9:25). It is important to pay attention to the hard work and rigorous training any athlete undertakes to be the popular star. We would like to associate ourselves with famous footballers such as Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar Jr, Modric, Harry Kane and many more. Do we even think of them outside the televised game? I think that is where all the action of strict training, strict dieting, strict feedback is followed by these athletes. Their dedication to the sport helps them to climb the mountain of fame and success. One of the Orthodox Priest from Russia says, ‘football offers a way to elevate man’s physical and spiritual culture and it should be a tool for the Church. The task of an athlete is the same as that of a monk; without self-control, there can be no success.’ Our faith in God must teach to be disciplined in our lives and to be disciplined we must follow the certain strict training of our own senses. We are body, mind and spirit. Our physical and spiritual self must compliment each other. In other words, our prayer must reflect on our body; our spiritual self must be seen in our body. If a person is spiritually grounded, we can see that person is cheerful and gracious.

Respect Women Goal: Now that the Football World Cup is at the last breath, allow me to express my disappointment at the discrimination against women. I was appalled to read about four separate incidences in which women were discriminated against by boisterous men at the football world cup. In two cases male fans attempted to kiss the reporters. Julia Guimaraes from the Brazilian Globo TV had the courage to tell the fan off right on camera. She expresses her disapproval and disrespect towards women by men. This incident created an uproar in Brazil which was a catalyst for other women in media to speak up by saying ‘Enough is enough.’ In another incident, a group of male fans surround a woman from another country and make her repeat bad words in the language she is not familiar. This incident has taught women that they could be the target of discrimination and harassment by men with no respect for women. I was further alarmed that some men on social media criticized women for such kind of incidences. I want to emphasize that respect for women begins at home. Men who disrespect other women most often do not respect women in their own family. In some cases, men might live on a false philosophy of ‘male superiority’ in which case women must stoop down. I want us to think about how we treat women in our families and society.

No Racism Goal: This world cup also emphasized against discrimination based on race under the tagline ‘no to racism’. I am always thrilled to witness the football teams with such a diversity. The teams live by the mantra, ‘united we stand, divided we fall’ or I would put it as ‘a truly united goal for a win.’ I am so happy to see teammates believing in each other’s ability and this belief makes a great team and most often unbeatable team. The world cup gives yet another opportunity to consolidate our belief that we can achieve much together. Our energy is not wasted in entertaining opinions of division and colour. Our race nepotism takes away the gift of each other. It takes away our peaceful coexistence rather it makes us suspicious about others and drains our energy. If any of the footballers is suspicious about his co-player of a different colour, he would be draining his energy on it hence he will not be able to succeed.

No building wall goal: We pick our team to support. We pick our country first and when our country loses we pick our continent and when that fails we choose our favourite player and so on. We do this picking teams without any barrier of division. We can move away from supporting our country to another with much ease. This crucial lesson from football as we live in world of division and strict borders. Football gives us an exposure to other countries. It makes us know and admire other countries that we have never heard before. It makes us relive the experience of the joy of others. Football commentary is the best way to learn about other countries where we can hear about the uniqueness of the country. Every nation is unique and beautiful. Football makes us break the boundaries of our own little world and allows us to think global. It breaks down the wall of division and unites us as people of the same wonderful planet. Our uniqueness becomes another’s awesomeness. We learn to admire other traditions and customs that have made them a nation.

In conclusion, the lesson that the world cup has taught us may remain with us and increase our love for each other. As we come to admire football stars, we shall admire each other. Every nation and its people are a gift from God to the planet earth and we are given the opportunity to experience those gifts from other people at this time. We learnt to break the barriers that divide nations and traditions rather embrace the richness of other nations. Football has brought minds and hearts together for a better future. Let us keep at it and carry on. Our goal is to be human. Let us remember we are born humans and we must die as humans. We are humans from the cradle to the grave.

Church in China

St. Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier who accompanied Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Mission Society to his martyrdom in Beijing. Moved by his patience Augustine becomes Chinese diocesan priest who was savagely tortured and was martyred in 1815.

Among 119 martyrs there was an eighteen year old boy, Chi Zhuzi, who cried out to those who had just cut off his right arm and were preparing to flay him alive: "Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am Christian."

Often times it might seem everything is over but there will be someone to carry on.

Desperation

A river flows in thick woods
Heavy water swell the shore
Rushing to make its way to the sea
Drives with it all in it's path.

A bird drifts in the middle of the river
Helplessness is only cry of the bird
Jaws of massive waters tear apart
Desperate to live cries for help

There stood advisers either banks
Cry of help hover the banks of the river
Poor bird scream in desperation
Only to hear you can do it.

Helplessness intensified greatly
Experts advised in vain until the end
Birds anguish increased with despair
Fear covered at the sight of death

Oh, how troubled life of a bird
Worries saddened only the desperate
Helpers helped in lip service
Thence died a lonely death

Struggles of life choke us
Desperation is the only way of life
No one has ample time for others life
Fear will end our life perfectly

Flower of life

Falling in love with a flower
Flower unique among thousands
Whole wide garden with flowers full
One flower is enough worth thousands

Garden full of colours divine
Tapestry of God's design
Kids many yet garden beautiful
Every flower shoes forth it's grandeur

Ambience filled with aroma of scent
Emanating from the divine flowers
Garden one yet scents many
Reliving it's vitality and freshness

Yet I fell in love with one flower
Yet I admired one scent
One flower divine and one scent fresh
Love united my being to one flower

You're that divine flower with love unconditional
Your scent tingled my being
Freshness is hovering my life
You're the flower of my life.

Utopia in dystopia

Thomas More in his famous work Utopia imagined Utopia, a perfect country where no private property, less laws, no adulterers, no slavery and don't punish people with different opinion lest you hear them. People lived in a perfect island. No lawyers needed for people solved their legal issues themselves. Thomas More was a lawyer himself yet he imagined a world without him. Laws should be simpler and people must be able to understand them so they can practice. The bureaucracy that sucks life out of people must be eradicated so that people are not frustrated and hopeless. Every nation must give hope to it's citizens. It's like the policeman help people feel safe and not feel scared. Politicians must help unite the people and not divide. But unfortunately divide is the mantra they utilize so that their selfish motives can be met.

Thomas More also refuted Utopia with dystopia. There is not a single perfect island, where everything and everyone is flawed. Humanity is fallen. The utopian island doesn't exist anymore. It didn't exist in early 16th century when Thomas wrote the book and it doesn't exist even today.

We look for Utopia in a dystopia. In other words we want dream world to unfold to us yet there's no such thing as dream world. Just one policy, live and let others live not lest others live.

Separation of Children

It is heart-wrenching to hear and see how children are separated from their parents on the Southern border of America. The current administration has been heavily criticized and has been deemed it as child abuse in its moral sense. This issue is brutally complicated. It is correct to say, if you breach the law you will be prosecuted and to be prosecuted, children must be taken away from the parent who broke the law, in this case, parents who illegally entered the USA. It is like, if a mother is convicted and sentenced, the child cannot go to jail with her. On another hand, there are thousands of children caged in the processing centres. This is done allegedly to protect the children from perpetrators. The children are assured of better facilities after they have been processed (I don’t like this word). We have witnessed this through newscasts. It is morally incorrect to cage children for two reasons; namely, firstly, children will be left to suffer physically such as cold weather and cleanliness, secondly, the children who are separated from the parents will suffer psychological trauma for the rest of their lives. When children grow up, parents become their moral instructor and a buffer of flight or fight hormone. So, I leave you at this.

But as a Christian, my curiosity was on the justification of this matter. Attorney General Jeff Sessions quoted, ‘obey the government, for God is the one put it there’ (Rom 13:1). Cardinal Dolan disagreed with the AG on this quote from the bible by saying, ‘obey the government laws, if and only the government laws are in conformity with God’s law.’ I wonder how many of us agree with the Cardinal? Pope Francis tweeted, ‘children must be able to play, study and grow in a peaceful environment. Woe to anyone who stifles their joyful impulse to hope.’ What baffled me was how we can filter our views by using fragments of the bible. I am not a bible scholar, but it is important to understand the Bible in its entirety so that we can truly come to believe in our sacred scripture. We need to be on our guard not to be lead astray by anyone by misusing the Bible

. We live in a complicated world where messages of pros and cons are conveyed in one sentence. If we are not careful we might be the soft targets and victims of abuse of power. Let us use the scripture to bring peace and prosperity to humanity which is the key message of the same. Let us shun that brings discord and despair to humanity. Having said this, let us not be numb to the subject matter because any damage to humanity anywhere in the world is the damage to the entire humanity. 

LGBTQ

I have not written anything so far on this topic but I have been pondering and wondering how to put it across what's in my heart. Therefore I came across this shirt conclusion from an article written by Mr Oliver on Daijiworld. It summarises the whole article on homosexuality. Don't ask me whether I am pro or against but I accept every person as they are and not as I want to them to be. Perception is the key in every aspect of our experience. Perception propels us to act in a certain manner in our lives. Our perception is influenced and formed by the external force such as religion, laws, rights, scientific research, history etc. I want to think that every one of us must check our perception before we judge others. When we judge others we project ourselves as perfect beings. I want to believe that no one is perfect except God.

Sex and sexuality are not who we are. “I am gay,” or, “I am straight,” or, “I am bisexual” is not our identity.

We hear friends cheering someone’s homosexuality as “great”. In what way is being gay/lesbian; or, even being straight a great thing? What we do with our bodies is not what defines us. So many have understood this and have embraced a life of celibacy – the saints, the priests, the nuns, and the ‘sanyasis’, while some simply choosing to remain single.

A man could marry a woman who is considered a sex symbol. But, what happens if a few years later an accident puts her in a wheelchair; or, due to an illness, she is not able to give him that “happiness”?

The Bible says God has made us in His image and likeness. It is, therefore, troubling to see human beings using animals to support their sexual behaviour.

Jesus Christ led a perfect life and remained celibate during his earthly sojourn. If our sexuality defined who we are, then He would have entered into some conjugal relationship to demonstrate its absolute essentiality.

Homosexuals can hate God all they want; some can even say that He does not exist, but there is no denying the truth that homosexual behaviour is extremely unsafe and equally dangerous.

As for whether you are a man or a woman, the reality is in your biology. There are an estimated 75-100 trillion cells in a human body; and, the ‘male’ or ‘female’ signature appears in every single cell. The sex of a baby is imprinted in the DNA at the time of conception itself - no technology on Earth can change that. Thoughts, feelings and perceptions are not stamped in the DNA – they develop and constantly change as the child grows.

If you think you are someone you are biologically not, then it has something to do with your perception. There is not a single test to confirm if a boy is actually a girl (or vice versa), except taking the person’s word for it. Even if you were to walk into a police station and tell the cops that you are a murderer; you would be required to prove it. The way things are: feelings cannot change physical reality.

Even after sex-change surgeries, potentially harmful, synthetic hormonal treatments must continue for life. They are a constant reminder that you are trying to become someone you are not. How can you ever get around something that is so logically counter-intuitive?

If an anorexic woman, weighing 35 kilograms walks into a clinic and persistently tells the doctor that she is overweight; the doctor will not put her through liposuction, or weight loss treatment. Similarly, if a girl - suffering from Body Integrity Identity Disorder - walks into a clinic with perfectly functioning legs and insists that those are not her legs and she wants them amputated, the doctor will not oblige her. In both cases, the doctor will recommend the patients for psychotherapy.

However, if an 18-year-old girl, who identifies as a man, persistently tells the same doctor that she needs a double mastectomy; he is required to put her through complex hormonal treatments and transform her surgically.

In all the cases, the conditions are psychological, but miraculously transgenderism is considered a biological condition.

Our perceptions are influenced by our environment and they are in constant flux. That is why it is so critical to apply logical reasoning when making life’s decisions. You may also want to listen to the testimonies of people who have placed their trust in God and rediscovered their true biological self. Even if you don’t believe in a Creator, the problem is solvable with counselling and psychotherapy alone.

Jesus Christ is not against anyone’s happiness and joy. In fact, He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.”

True lasting joy does not come from pleasures outside of God’s will and design. The craving grows as you begin to indulge, but in the end, they leave you empty and frustrated. And, as many have discovered, they come at the cost of pain and suffering. 

CS Lewis (an atheist-turned-Christian) said, “God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”

Wisdom

Have you wondered like me what is wisdom? Where does the wisdom come from? There have been many attempts to understand wisdom both at a theoretical and practical level. Either way, humans have ventured to address this virtue or concept by applying the finest mythological and scriptural references. 

I would like to begin with an example what it means to be wise in a real world. A happily married spouse is attracted towards another person, which perfectly normal because of flesh and blood but if the same spouse gives into temptation towards another person, then it will lead to infidelity to one's own loving spouse. This is the recipe for the breakdown in the relationship. 

In the above practical example, we see the dichotomy in a human mind and heart. On the one hand, we have basic human needs which could animalistic or even irrational. This can be detrimental if not executed in a proper manner. This basic human instinct is necessary for the survival of humanity on the face of the Earth. On the other hand, humans have to be rational or act properly in everything that we do. This is the dichotomy and dilemma in humans. We have to wise to make proper and life-giving decisions. These decisions will impact not only loved ones but our own inner life. 

We have our own human will which given and nurtured by various means of formation. Human will is free will but we are expected to tame and direct it in a proper direction. In order to do this, we need an external monitor to match or mismatch our free will. Hence, God's will becomes this external monitor to guide us. The dot that connects the will of God and human will is wisdom. Wisdom requires both, will of God and human will. If we separate these two, we might either become eccentric or narcissist. 

In this contemporary world, we are faced with a new reality of separation of the will of God and human will. This separation leads to unwise decisions which then leads the world into delusion and disaster. It is absolutely crucial to connect the two so that we can decide with wisdom. I called it as the will of God because of I am a spiritual person but for those of you don't want to associate with God, you can just apply conscience as the will of God. I believe that conscience is the sanctuary of rational and proper will.

Democracy in India

The nations have been driven by a non-existent vehicle called Democracy. There’s an inevitable reality of divide and rule in any given democracy. Democracy has become a mantra for the powerful to achieve the agenda that ensembles one’s whims. I have found difficult to believe in democracy. I beg to differ in my view on democracy. Democracy is actually and truly a dividing factor. It leads us to believe that everyone is equal in a democracy. My argument is no alien to any leading political thinkers and is neither foreign to any politicians. Every politician knows exactly that democracy is just a concept that is used to divide to rule so their dishonest agenda could be met.

In recent times political situations throughout the world have shown us that the powerful and big mouthed political party or politician wins the race under the shade of democracy. It’s really an irony that democracy is divisive and fulfils the agenda of the powerful. It is a domination over powerless. I would not hesitate to say that democracy is but domination. It could be called the largest domination country in the world. The United States of America has been the strongest witness when the current president won the election but not by popular vote. In India, it has been a trend for the longest time that big gab can win the elections and indeed under the banner of democracy.

I would like to focus on Indian political situation after the independence. India has been portrayed as the largest democracy in the world. Why has it been called with such an honourable title when India has failed to witness that in reality? I am not pointing my index-finger at any particular party. But I argue that this is only a pretence under which Indian political parties enjoy the ride. What goes for one must go for all. Don’t deduct that I am anti-BJP or anti-Congress as a Christian. That would be immature of a balanced view. I truly believe that I am an Indian and I pledge by the tricolour and I am proud of my anthem. One thing I cherish from my childhood is the national anthem that we sang two times a day during the school days; mind you I went to a Catholic School. My love for the country was nourished right from my early childhood so is yours.

Democracy has been adulterated by conceit and egotism of a few influential people who invariably use the Democratic process to achieve hidden agenda. The people who jump on the bandwagon have been like people in Plato's cave. They break open the chains to see the reality outside the cave. Formerly, they thought the cave and shadows protruding in the cave was their reality. The ego and pride of the influential are fed with some realities like religion which has nothing or very little to do with politics. It has been baffling to witness how religion has become so crucial to Indian politics. For every politician, religion is the point of departure and a perfect entry into success because religion is divisive. The politicians like to feed on something that helps them to climb the nasty ladder. I was deeply disturbed and deeply concerned at how the sheepfold or followers of different religions have taken advantage of the faith to entertain the political gimmicks. There is an attitude of hatred towards others purely based on religious beliefs.

If Hindus think that they are the majority in India and it’s a Hindu nation, I am certain that the party they support will certainly win for the rest of the existence of India although it might not be Hindu state because I believe that Hinduism is a way of life; a life of prosperity and harmony. Hinduism must help everyone to live a life of integrity. If Muslims and Christians think that they need to come together to oust another party so that India is truly a multi-religious nation, I think we are heading towards hating Hindus. Let us not be fooled by the rhetoric that it is a complicated issue. No, it is not complicated issue rather it is truly a simple gamut. Think of your school days or think of the village that you lived where Hindus, Muslims and Christians lived together almost as a family. Why is that sentiment from school or village is messed with hatred? Isn’t it the politicians and party workers divide us so that they achieve their goals of success. This success that they look for is not for the development of the nation rather it is the success of their own development. Each of us needs to reflect on where we are heading with this kind of political disasters. We must not allow democracy to die in the hands of the powerful dictators.

The democracy that is not popular is a dictatorship. Recent elections in Venezuela where Maduro has shown that democracy is a dictatorship because he has proved that he is indispensable. He has the complete autonomy to choose and elect himself for democracy has failed. It might seem like a democratic election. I wish this doesn’t happen to India. This could be a possibility if people think that the leaders they adore are indispensable and cannot be changed. In which case, the political leaders will go to any extreme to come to power, extremes such as manipulation and rigging of elections. This detrimental to the well being of a Nation. If BJP or Congress thinks that only they can save the country, they are wrong and we have guard against these political tantrums which are for the gain of a select few.

Religion without humanity is legion; a legion of evil people who want to bring discord among different faiths. Humanity should be the culmination of any religion. Honestly speaking, the people who spew hatred towards others religions by saying that their true religion or this nation belongs to that religion, I am certain that they have no knowledge and experience of God in their religion. In other words, they know very little about their own religion. We must be able to challenge them to study to know and experience the beauty and goodness in their own religion. No religion teaches us to hate other religion. But it seems like humanity is kept out of the equation. I am a Christian but I try to draw inspiration from other religions because they offer meaning to my life. Religion is a way to God and not God himself so let’s get it right now before it’s too late. God is in every religion and every religion must indicate a pathway to God.

In conclusion, I want to mention that I grew up as a small boy watching the great epic “Mahabharata” on Door Darshan channel in late 80’s. We didn’t have television at home so our church priest used to show on his television. I never considered it as something only Hindus must watch but it was a great experience to watch one of greatest epics of India. In Mahabharata, there’s reference to Bharatvarsa in which Bharata tribe lived with the same plurality of caste, religion, culture, language and lifestyle like today’s India. This is why India is called Bharath. So, when we utter the chant “Bharath Matha Ki Jai”, let us keep the plurality at the forefront. This is why India is considered to be the greatest nation on the planet with it’s diversity in every regard. I grew up learning Tulu language which is predominantly spoken by Hindus and I am proud of it. This doesn’t mean that I give up on my mother tongue, Konkani. These two languages along with Kannada gives me a specific identity as an Indian. I appeal to everyone, especially our political leaders to work for unity and respect for each other’s beliefs. Let us bring humanity back to our religions. Let the democracy enjoy its sanctity. Let us pay heed to the silent scream of democracy and reach out to keep it sacred.

Church for the well-dressed?

Jesus welcomed everyone into his fold. He welcomed sinners, wounded, sick, poor, rich, and so on. Does our Church welcome any kinds of people? I suppose ideally most of us would agree that we welcome everyone into our churches. Let us imagine that a beggar who is bruised, smelly and half-awake from his night's ordeal of sleeping on the pavement walks into our church. If such person sits next to on the pew, almost in contact with our formal and scented costume, how do I react? Do I welcome him with a smile or do I slowly switch pew? Can I be comfortable to sit with him for the next one hour? 

I went to a certain church which was filled with the aroma of the incense and the faithful dressed in their Sunday best and dapper. Everyone was so much filled with the spirit of worship with some of the fine musicians in action. As the service progressed, a man wheeled in on his wheelchair. There hung on his wheelchair many plastic bags. He seemed mentally sound and came to praise God just like anyone of us. He was trying to wheel himself to the front of the church at which point ushers with beautifully decorated sashes intervened his procession and was taken out of the church. As he was wheeled out of the church, he looked upset, but I witnessed sad eyes. His right to worship was denied by so-called righteous faithful in the church. 

Another incident happened when I was preaching in certain church. I was full of spirit as I preached on the Gospel. Suddenly, there appeared a man haphazardly dressed and was nearly high with alcohol. I was stunned as he made his way right towards the pulpit. I was not petrified but I was apprehensive that he might interrupt the service. Someone from the congregation wanted to yield him out of the church but I asked him to let the man in the church. He interrupted my preaching but when he realized that I was not reacting harshly but only look at him with pity and compassion, he remained quiet throughout the service. I am still pondering what would have been going on in his troubled mind when I allowed him to sit in the pew right in front of me. 

Our churches need to open its doors to welcome these kinds of people so that church truly embodies Christ in this world. Christ loved and embraced poor without any inhibition. Humanity is flawed hence we go to church to ask God to help us in our flaws. If we prove to be righteous and better than others, we are hypocrites. Jesus chose flawed Peter to be the foundation of the church. So, flaws in the society must increase the intensity of our preaching and prayer. This way we can truly welcome Jesus into our church. In so far as our church has no poor, ignorant, beggars, smelly people, drunkards, drug addicts, depressed, gays, lesbians and sinners, our church has no Jesus in it. Probably, he is with them on the streets, hospitals, care homes, bars and wherever these flawed people are. Time has come for the church to stop pretending to be the church of the poor and begin to be one. Time is ripe for the church to fill its pews with broken people who are need of God's assistance.