Author:
Publication: The Examiner
Date: August 31, 2003
A meeting of the Christian members
of Parliament was held at the CBCI centre on October 18, 2003. Archbishop
Vincent Concessaso, the Vice-President (I) of the CBCI; Bishop Percival
Fernandez, the Secretary General, CBCI; Bishop Anil Cuto, the Auxiliary
of the Archdiocese of Delhi, along with Executive Secretaries of various
Commissions of CBCI met with members of Parliament.
During the meeting, Mr P.C. Thomas
the newly appointed Minister of State for Law in the Union Ministry was
felicitated. Mr V.V. Augustine, the new Christian member of the National
Commission for Minorities was also to be felicitated but he could not attend
the function due to unforeseen circumstances. The meeting also paid its
tributes to Mr George Eden who passed away recently.
The Archbishop in his address to
the M.Ps lauded their roles in Parliament, and the need to strengthen their
presence by taking up issues that affect all sections of society, particularly
the Christian community. Bishop Percival Fernandez felicitating Mr P.C.
Thomas said that it is a matter of pride for the Christian community to
have one of its members as minister in the present Government. His presence
in the important Ministry of Law will certainly benefit the Christian community.
Many others present at the meeting
also felicitated Mr P.C. Thomas for being inducted into the Union Ministry.
Among some of the issues that were taken up for discussion, the following
ones are more important:
1. Beatification of Mother Teresa.
2. Progress on the Christian Adoption
Bill.
3. Problems of Christian Institutions
in the light of the latest Supreme Court verdict.
4. Building up of political consciousness
among Christians.
The members expressed the need to
do something at the national level to mark the occasion of Mother Teresa's
beatification, and a number of suggestions were put forward. In the meantime,
in Delhi, the LG has already agreed to rename the Wellington Crescent Road
after Mother Teresa, and also to place a statue of hers at the beginning
of the same road.
Speaking on the progress of the
Adoption Bill, Mr P.C. Thomas said that there has been a few rounds of
talks with the representatives of the Catholic and other Churches as desired
by the Government. The results are quite positive and the talks will continue.
In the meantime he also hinted at the possibility of arriving at a consensus
where we can agree for a common Adoption law rather than just a Christian
Adoption Law. The others present at the meeting opined that such a step
is plausible, provided the interests of the community are incorporated
in the Law. More comments and responses are invited from the members of
the Christian community.
Dwelling on the problems of minority-run
Institutions in the light of the latest Supreme Court judgment, Mr Thomas
and others said that for the present, we are able to maintain the status
quo, but it may not be the case in the coming years, as the SC has asked
the state governments to appoint committees that will supervise the admission
procedures and fixing the fee structure. However, the SC has taken note
of the transparent system that is put in place by St John's Bangalore,
CMC Vellore, and they may be allowed to continue their existing system
of admission. More information regarding this when the copy of the judgment
is procured.
Speaking on the need for the Christians
to be more politically conscious, the members said that there is a high
level of political consciousness in some areas of the country, but there
are also areas that need to be focussed. Giving the example of Bombay Catholic
Sabha's work in this regard, Bishop Percival said that they have become
more active in enrolling the names of all Christians, and ensuring that
they cast their votes during elections. It may be something which can be
emulated by Christians in other parts of the country as well.
Report by Fr Babu Joseph SVD, CBCI
- PRO, New Delhi
