By Fr Soroj Mullick, SDB –
Dialogue and discourses among teachers of the Christian schools with different religious traditions should take place with critical study of scriptural texts, beliefs, theologies, myths and histories of various religious traditions in order to impart them to the students.
Such dialogue is to be introduced in schools and colleges where the basic principles of major religions of the world can be taught as part of the academic contribution to culture, harmony and peace among communities of different faith traditions.
Christian educational service will have to go beyond the confines of tolerance by respecting all individuals and communities valuing one’s dignity as a human person. There needs to be a dialogue of action whereby the believers of various religious traditions come together to address common social concerns. This consequently leads to a dialogue of life, through mutual interactions between believers of different faith traditions in the homes, market place, offices, factories, and work-places in daily life.
Thus a dialogue of celebrations of important common festivals of all religions takes place based on sacred places and times in the civil society. Inter-faith fellowships are to be organized whereby the human values, morals and ethics of a life of integrity and honesty present in all religions are brought into the formation of students and staff.
Pursuing Peace through continuing the three-fold dialogue with Poverty, Culture and religions by means of education is an urgent need. This way we can be present to the cultural reality and inculturate the Christian faith and values.
Majority of the students and staff in the Christian educational institutions belong to other religions. They need to be made aware of the dangers of the divisive politics of the day through discussions and debates on various topics which would prepare the staff and students to brace up for a mature response.
The Indian Constitution and the Preamble are to be explained properly. Legal literacy and education on Human Rights are to be made compulsory in all our institutions. Justice meted out to the students and to the staff (e.g. Supporting staff). Critical and scientific historical approach to the heritage of India are to be provided with to the students.
Every school along with formal education scheme must integrate mission towards the poor in the vicinity through outreach educational program (e.g. Rainbow schools, initiated by a Loreto Nun, Sr. Cyril). This implies that more than mere domains of academics, the educational institutions are to be spaces for forming good citizens in building a nation of peace and justice.
In the existing politics of division, mistrust and violence, following the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), an inclusive Christian education would enable the students to recognize, respect and appreciate every aspect of the cultural, religious, social realities on India through tolerance, correlation and mutual appropriations.
To be continued…
Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB is a Salesian priest from the Kolkata Province. He has a Licentiate in Catechetics and a Doctorate (Christian Education) from UPS, Italy. He has number of years of teaching experience in college and in the formation of future priests. Besides, he has written number of research papers and articles, and has 25 years of Ministry in India and abroad as Educator, Formator, Retreat Preacher, Editor and engaged in School, Parish Catechetical & Youth Ministry. He is now an assistant priest in Bandel Basilica, rendering pastoral and catechetical ministry to the parishioners and to the pilgrims. He can be contacted at [email protected].