Author:
Publication: Sabha Notes
Date: January-March 2001
Introduction: In a wide ranging
interview, Fr. Donald De Souza, Deputy Secretary General of the CBCI, answers
accusations that Hindutva elements hurl at us
Q. Why do you oppose the concept
of a national church which is not foreign-controlled, foreign funded and
foreign influenced as proposed by the RSS?
A. The very concept of a foreign-controlled
Church is faulty. Faith is universal. There are no borders for faith. A
Japanese can become a Hindu. Likewise, all over the world there are Christians.
As far as we in India are concerned, only by faith we are Christians. For
everything else we are hundred percent Indians. So any one who is asking
us to be a national church or Indian Church is speaking from a grave misconception.
It is very hurting to the Church. By asking us to be Indian Christians
you doubt our integrity and our patriotism.
Q. RSS leaders say that such a proposal
of National Church was floated earlier by a section of Christians themselves.
For example, Mar Athanasius Joel S Williams, Archbishop, Indian National
Church. What is your comment?
A. This archbishop about whom I
have heard for the first time was only one among the 2.5 crore Indian Christians.
Taking his example and arguing for a greater cause is faulty argumentation.
For example, there are Hindus who firmly attack RSS and say RSS should
be banned. Can I, take that as example and make an argument of that?
Q. What is the extent of foreign-control,
foreign-finance and foreign-influence on the Indian church?
A. Recently I read in the papers
that two of the biggest recipients of foreign funds are Hindu organizations.
One is Maharishi Ved Vigyan Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Andhra Pradesh and the
other one is Mata Amritanandamayi Mission, Kerala. These people received
over Rs. 50 crore. So it is faulty to say that only the Church is receiving
foreign funds. Everyone is receiving foreign funds for different causes.
And the Church puts much of it in developmental works. During the Orissa
cyclone Caritas India which is the social and developmental body of the
CBCI spent over Rs. 13 crore to help the poor people. We didn't worry about
the caste and creed of these people. So whatever money is coming we pump
back into the country.
Q. Your critics say that it is only
because of these funds pouring in from foreign countries, for example Vatican,
that they have been able to exercise a great amount of authority on Indian
churches?
A. See Vatican is a political entity
with which the Indian government has diplomatic relations. I don't think
Vatican is controlling us. Can India have diplomatic relations with a country
which is controlling its own citizens ... ? The Pope's role is entirely
different. The Pope for us is the head of the Catholic Church. He is the
guarantor of the unity of the Catholic faith just as the Shankaracharyas
who are guarantors of the Hindu faith. For example I can't tell a German
Hindu to cut his relations with the Shankaracharyas who live in India.
Q. Is the Vatican playing the same
role in the church of USA, Germany and other developed countries?
A. It is the same role. There were
some bishops in America who were for contraception. The Holy Father said
no to them. There were some bishops who were for private guidance on abortion
in Germany. The Holy Father told them it is not Catholic faith. You have
to obey it. In spite of being rich churches he told them so. So at the
level of faith or morals he guides all the churches whether rich or poor.
For the other matters he doesn't interfere.
Q. How do you react to the criticism
that the church had encouraged separation in the North-East?
A. It is sad that such statements
are made. ULFA is not Christian. ULFA is fighting against the governments
of Assam and the Centre. Many problems in North-East have to be traced
to their tribal roots and problems.
Q. Do you mean to say that the Church
has no role in the politics of north-east?
A. Wherever there is a violation
of human rights, the Church speaks up. But it has nothing to do with politics.
Q. For human rights protection,
there are other state organs... where does the Church figure in this?
A. Faith affects man's ethical
life. One cannot claim to be a Christian and openly support abortion. So
the faith has to be coordinated with practical life. Here the church comes
into the human situation.
Q. The RSS allegation is that the
foreign churches, Vatican in the case of Roman Catholics are the final
authority in the spiritual, political and temporal matters of Indian Christians.
How far is this true?
A. The Pope is the final authority
in spiritual matters only and rightly so. Nobody can call himself a Hindu
and reject the teachings of the Shankaracharya and that of the Vedas. Nobody
can call himself a Catholic Christian and reject the Pope's teachings on
faith and morals. We reject the allegations that he controls the temporal
and political matters.
Q. How practical or realistic is
the Church's teaching that salvation is possible only through Christianity?
A. When you say that salvation
is only through Christianity, it is like saying ... a Muslim will not be
a Muslim if he says 'Allah' is one God among many. He will simply say Allah
is God and Mohammed is His Prophet. A Hindu will not be a Hindu if he does
not call his 'Dharma' a 'sanatana dharma'. He believes that 'sanatana dharma'
is eternal religion. And Hinduism, for one who really believes in it, is
the best of the religions. So, as a Christian I have to say that what I
have received in the grace of God is the best for me. So if anyone says
that outside the church there is no salvation, it does not make any sense
to a Muslim or others. For me it makes sense. From my faith experience
I know how precious is my faith in Jesus Christ. Each religion says it
is the best. So does Christianity.
Q. Vatican says salvation is possible
only through Catholic Church. It seems Vatican does not acknowledge other
Christian denominations as well.
A. No. In Vatican, after this document
'Dominus Jesus', a lot of explanation has been given. In this very document
the Catholic Church has shown lots of respect for other churches. 'Dominus
Jesus' says that the church suffers from disunity. We believe in one Lord
Jesus Christ. Still we are split into many fragments, groups and churches.
So far as we Catholics are concerned we are convinced that this unity is
best achieved under the leadership of the Holy Father, the Pope. We invite
the others to join us.
Q. There is a silent majority of
Hindus who are against the aggressive Hindutva of the Sangh Parivar. Aren't
you weakening their position when the Pope comes here and gives an open
call for, Christianisation of Asia?
A. When the Holy Father came here
to Delhi, he came for Asia. And he was speaking about his faith. Does a
man not have a right to speak about his faith? So the Holy Father was speaking
about his faith. It was not against the others.
Q. Forced conversion was a serious
issue for quite some time. Now it is Indianisation of the church. Do you
see a systematic move to put the Church under pressure from the Sangh Parivar?
A. In spite of all these allegations,
we Christians are not panicky. We are anxious. We are worried. We feel
that there are more serious problems confronting the country like poverty,
disease, hunger, and injustice. These are the problems which we have to
face and try to solve together in this multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-racial
society. We appreciate the goodwill of a large number of Hindu brothers
and sisters and Muslim brothers and sisters and all the others.
Q. Why is it that you are approaching
only the poor and the tribals? Don't the rich and the upper castes also
need spiritual salvation?
A. They do...but the Bible always
told us that God is on the side of the poor. The Bible has the specific
choice of the marginalized, the poor, the lame, the leper and the like...we
go to them. We care.
Q. What is the idea behind forming
an RSS-like Christian organization in Orissa?
A. I read about it in the newspapers.
It is a small group of people in a remote area. This has been started as
a reaction to the consistent attacks on Christians. The CBCI supports anything
which is non-militant, nonviolent and meant to bring the Christians together
to make them aware of their rights in this democratic country.
Q. Some leaders of the church are
raising the problems of Indian Christians outside the country. Does the
CBCI endorse this?
A. This world has now become a
global village. There are people constantly monitoring each other. The
Indian government was very much worried about what happened in Fiji. Though
it is an independent country because of the presence of a large number
of people of Indian origin there, the Indian government was worried. Similarly
the Indian Christians in America are worried about what is happening here.
But, the CBCI rejects any other country intervening in our internal affairs
... the CBCI never went to anybody. Never reported to anybody. We appealed
to our government ... and to our fellow citizens.
