By Verghese V Joseph –
In the light of recent developments in the Tamil Nadu’s Catholic Church, a Dalit Christian coalition has proposed a new rite namely “Indian Dalit Rite” (in the Catholic Church, under the direct Governance of the Holy See). Over 100 delegates from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states participated in the introductory discussion on the ‘Indian Dalit Rite’ that was held on 4th August 2021 in Salem.
The meet was chaired by the convener of Tamil Nadu Dalit Christian Coalition, Dr. Gnanapragasam Mathew. Supreme Court Advocate Mr. Franklin Caser Thomas explained the need and necessity of the Indian Dalit Rite in today’s context. Rev. Fr. A.X.J. Bosco, SJ, the former Jesuit Provincial of Andhra Pradesh, presented a paper about the possibility of this rite referring to many indigenous rites around the world. Other who participated in the discussion were Ms. Nalini, Mr. E. Vallarasu, Rev. Sr. A. G. Alphonsa and Mr. V. Vincent.
The Tamil Nadu Dalit Christian Coalition comprises National Council for Dalit Christians, National Dalit Christian Watch, Dalit Christian Liberation Movement, Kiriththava Makkal Kalam, Makkal Mempaattu Munnani, Christian Arunthathiyar Right Movement, Thurumbar Viduthalai Movement, Dalit Christian Movement,
Tamil Nadu Kadaiyar Peoples Federation, Tamil Nadu Catholic Equality Movement, Dalit Christian Teachers & Employees Association, Ambedkar Periyar Social Justice Workshop, Alternate Front for Dalit Christian Liberation, Meetppu Kalam, Viduthalaiyin Theevatti, Thadam Theydi, Dance Drum Demonstration, Kiriththava Samooka Neethi Peravai and Viduthalai Thamizh Pulikal Katchi.
The coalition pointed out that in Tamil Nadu, in the past 15 years, 12 Bishops have been appointed and no Dalit priest has been considered for Bishopric role. “All over India, there are 174 Dioceses and 18 such Dioceses are in Tamil Nadu. The caste-based discrimination in the appointments of Bishops has become a matter of concern in recent times. In India, there are 180 bishops among them only 10 are from the Dalit community. However, 80% of the Catholic population in India are Dalits. Among the 18 Bishops in Tamil Nadu, only one is from the Dalit community. In India, there are 31 Archbishops. Among them, only two are from the Dalit Community. Among the four cardinals from India, none belongs to the Dalit Community,” the coalition observed.
Late Pope John Paul II was the first pope to address this issue. In his address to the clergy, he pointed out that the issue of caste-based discrimination in the Church is detrimental to the values of Christ. The present Pope of the Catholic Church His Holiness Pope Francis has called for the immediate removal of all forms of oppression in the Church and invited the faithful to embrace the legacy of the culture that a faithful hails from and imbibe the values of Christ to respect one another.
On December 12, 2016, the Catholic Bishops Council of India declared a Dalit Empowerment Policy. It was based on the 10-point program proposed by the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council in 1990- and 8-point action plan in 2004. In the past 30 years, on many occasions, the Tamil Nadu and Indian Bishops Council have acknowledged the caste-based discrimination in the Church. The issue of discrimination in the church, however, is sub-judice and the Madras High Court is hearing the matter.
Provided the prayer for ‘Unity,’ “that all may be one” be maintained, it is high time in India that ‘such a Dalit Rite’ be adopted for the ‘material and spiritual Development’ of the Dalit people. The country has today Constitutionally a ‘Federal System,’ although each central government finds it a ‘hurdle’ for ‘National Unity’ and ‘integrity of the nation’. At the time of writing the Constitution, the Church felt the need for a ‘ casteless Church’. After 75 years of Independence, if the Church feels ‘such casteless unity’ could not render either material or spiritual progress, re-thinking is a better idea. May be the ‘Dalit Rite’ and its administration can concentrate for better development. However, by doing so, the Church may not be fully free of any ‘Conflict’ . Even with the ‘Three Rites in India’, occasionally, some conflicts arise on various matters of liturgy and administration. As ‘every unity is the conglomeration of differences,’ such inter and intra friction may prevail, but face with the ‘ spirit of unity’ which Jesus prayed for seems to be the only solution.