Author: Staff Reporter
Publication: The Hindu
Date: September 15, 2005
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/15/stories/2005091507750400.htm
`A similar tendency seen in church, Left movements'
Sarah Joseph, writer and women's rights activist,
has alleged that the church and the Left movement cannot escape blame in the
marginalisation of Dalits and other deprived sections of society. Prof. Joseph
was speaking at a programme organised here on Wednesday to remember the contributions
of the late Bishop Paulose Mar Paulose, a social activist. She said there
were very few Dalit priests or nuns in the Catholic Church in the State, and
"as far as my knowledge goes, none in the Thrissur Archdiocese.
``I had made some enquiries about this in
connection with the creation of a character in one of my works. Then I was
told that this [the absence of Dalit priests and nuns] was related to the
issue of faith. Dalit Christians were, in fact, neo-converts, and only when
they grew mature in faith through the evolution of six or seven generations,
they would be able to become priests and nuns.
This explanation was hardly acceptable to
me,'' she said. Similarly, this tendency to marginalise the Dalits sections,
on some pretext or the other, was seen in the Left movement also, Prof. Joseph
said.
The social critic Sukumar Azhikode, who delivered
the Bishop Paulose Mar Paulose memorial lecture, attacked the contemporary
legacy of rulers to measure the relevance of any contribution with the yardstick
of professionalism.
Professionalism was indicative of only the
technical aspect of an activity. For example, a teacher, or a doctor, realised
the full dimension of their vocation only if they were able to go beyond the
technical aspect of their careers and were able to give expression to the
philosophical dimension of those fields through their work.
The late Paulose Mar Paulose could transcend
the usually perceived professional dimensions of priesthood and dedicate his
life to explore the deeper meanings of the teachings of the Bible, through
his deeds and words.
Dr. Azhikode released the book Karutha Kurbana:
Njan Nadanna Vazhikal, authored by Fr. Aloysius D. Fernandes, by giving a
copy to Prof. Joseph. The Metropolitan of the Church of the East Mar Aprem
presided over the function.
