Congregations stress Indian ways for religious

Leaders of a locally founded men's religious congregation say they will strive to give an Indian face to Catholic religious life in the country.

Fr. Subhash Jose, new superior general of the Indian Missionary Society, told fellow members they have "great responsibility toward the people of India." He exhorted: "Let us commit ourselves to the poorest of the poor."

Jose and other officers were elected during the congregation's 10th general chapter, held in Varanasi, its base and a Hindu spiritual center. The chapter is held every six years.

"Religious Life Challenges and Possibilities" was the theme of the Jan. 15-28 meeting. About 40 delegates, elected through local chapters, attended the general chapter.

The congregation was founded in 1941 by Fr. Gasper Arseulius Pinto with the aim of providing the church with a group of men committed to pioneering evangelization, particularly in Indian villages.

The preparatory retreat for the general chapter stressed Indian ways in evangelization.

"You have to be the people of evangelization and inculturation. You must be open to the Indian reality," urged Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi, who preached at the retreat.

Fr. George Deenbadhu, outgoing assistant superior general, told UCA News that the "most important deliberation" of the chapter was to find ways to foster an Indian Christian vision of religious life "in the light of the life and spirit of the founder and pioneers."

In addition to its current emphasis on the word of God, eucharistic devotion and spirit of silence, he said, the congregation now will place added stress on easily understood spiritual values in India such as renunciation, fasting, contemplation and simplicity of life.

The members will develop their care for nature, spirit of sharing, sense of sacrifice, sense of the holy, love for the poor, apostolic commitment and commitment to social justice, Deenbadhu added.

Fr. Sabu Dheeraj, a delegate, said the chapter "has strongly recommended initiating a process of evolving" the congregation's spirituality so that its members "could be different, and effective in Indian society."

Another delegate, Fr. Yesudeep Sandu, said their spirituality impels them to be involved in "social action, justice, and enables us to present Jesus in such a way that the people of India can understand the word of God." Their spirituality also involves learning from people of other religions, he added.

The delegates wanted to "uphold Indian-ness," according to Fr. Joel Kuldeep. "People of other religions are not a threat but collaborators to establish the kingdom of God. The chapter brought this new interpretation to the charism," he told UCA News.

Jose said their congregation was launched to "pioneer evangelization." In the present Indian context, this would mean working to end disharmony, division, injustice and to challenge the ills of globalization, the new head of the congregation said.

"We have the goal of reaching out to the most marginalized people of our country," the 56-year-old priest continued, adding that they would "train and reorient members" to face the challenges offered by Indian situations.

Fr. Joseph Satyanand, the outgoing superior general, sees the general chapter as having initiated a "serious reflection" on the spirituality of the congregation. "Now the community has to reflect and evolve. Our mission activities must flow from our being religious and [from our] deep spirituality," he said.

The congregation has 167 priests and 82 professed brothers, and works in 26 Indian dioceses, mostly in northern India. It has provinces based in Varanasi and in New Delhi, and runs 61 centers. The mission society is of pontifical right, its constitution having been formally approved by the Holy See.

By UCA NEWS

Varanasi, India

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