Call center ministry debuts

CHENNAI, India -- Following news reports that India's flourishing call center and business process outsourcing industry are becoming "dens of depravity" that "harbor extramarital affairs and one-night stands," Catholic leaders have launched a pastoral care program aimed at the nation's 350,000 call center workers, who tend to be young, well educated and well paid.

A prime focus of the church's program is the southern metropolis of Bangalore, popularly known as "the Silicon Valley of India."

Bangalore Archbishop Bernard Moras said that Mass, confession and spiritual counseling will help call center employees who work odd hours. Many call centers and outsourcing offices handle customer service, direct marketing and data processing for American companies. Because of the time difference between the United States and India, many call center employees work nights.

Moras said, "We don't want to do moral policing, but we want to advise young people that being 'modern' doesn't mean losing their family traditions or moral values."

Industry representatives say reports that the call centers are sexual playgrounds are exaggerated.

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