Robancy A Helen –
Chennai: An Indian Dalit Rite – Round Table Conference was organized on April 28 and 29 at St. Thomas International Centre in Chennai. Altogether 15 Dalit theologians, biblical scholars and canonical experts participated and presented papers.
The group eloquently discerned, argued and reflected for the promotion of a Dalit Rite.
Introducing the conference, Rev. Dr. Vincent Manoharan, a Lutheran Dalit Theologian said that Caste is a stark reality and caste-based discrimination is rampant in Catholic Church in its hierarchy, parishes and institutions.
The representation of Dalits is abominable in every sphere in the Church and the voice of Dalit Christians are not heard adequately by the institutionalised church, whereby Dalits are totally neglected despite the suggestions offered by Dalit Empowerment Policy of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) to set right the wrong.
While Dalit Christians struggle politically for their rights and space, it is essential to discern and reflect theologically, biblically, canonically, liturgically and ecclesiastically for an Indian Dalit Rite, which alone will help those in hierarchy and all domains, to understand, recognise and accept the aspirations, history and culture of Dalits as a distinct community who form a majority in the Church.
This round table is aimed to collect and collate papers from scholars and place it before the church hierarchy to argue and justify for a Dalit Rite within the Roman Catholic Church under the Pope.
Father Cosmon Arockiaraj, one of the organisers of this conference, who took up the role of moderation, was very authentic and clear in his opening remarks. He asserted that “this is a new Pentecost for us.”
“We have a new mission in the Indian Church taking the idea to the clergy and the people for our own Church, religiosity and spirituality. We definitely need to face the misinterpretations and misunderstandings of this demand by the vested interests. However, we need to disseminate among the people and those who are in power, reminding our distinct identity, cultural specificity, our practices and traditions,” he said.
Father Arockiaraj further said, “We need to go for a long way but we must be steady and strong, as ours is a genuine demand for our own Church where we will nourish our faith and practice.”
This was followed by presentations from all those participated. Each one shared their insights with clear focus and perception in the areas in which they are masters. It began with Fr Felix Wilfred who (and Fr Cosmon) brought out a paper with clear arguments for the demand of the Indian Dalit Rite. A solid 10 hours was spent on this paper presentation, clarifications and understandings.
Plan of Action & Way Forward
- To hold such a round table in Madurai for the southern and western districts.
- To have the same kind of intellectual workshops on Indian Dalit Rite for southern, central, eastern and northern regions – in Bangalore, Pune, Kolkotta and Delhi.
- To compile all the papers presented in this round table and to compile a spiral-bound document and share the same within Tamil Nadu and in all regional meetings.
- No need for taking this to the larger community at this point of time.
- International lobbying needs to be attempted in Vatican.
- Homilies, reflections, cultural forms on Indian Dalit Rite needs to be written and shared with people in course of time.
- Gender balance needs to be seriously maintained in the process for Indian Dalit Rite.