India: Training Programmes of Madhya Pradesh Regional Commission for Family and Laity

Training programmes of Madhya Pradesh Regional Commission for family and laity. @ACN
Training programmes of Madhya Pradesh Regional Commission for family and laity. @ACN

The Regional Commission for Family and Laity organises regular training programmes in Sagar, one of the major cities in the heart of the central Indian province of Madhya Pradesh, not far from the state capital Bhopal. The focus of these programmes is one of pastoral and spiritual guidance for families and lay people in the nine dioceses of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The work of this commission is important for the Catholic Church in India, for although religious freedom is enshrined in Article 25 of the constitution, in reality it is not respected in all the states of India. For example, in Madhya Pradesh, an "anti-conversion" law has been introduced that threatens penalties of up to five years imprisonment and or heavy fines for those in any way engaged in "conversion activities". In fact in July 2006 this law was made even more punitive by the ruling State government of the Hindu nationalist BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). Now every religious conversion must be reported at least one month in advance to the relevant authorities, on pain of criminal conviction for convert and priest alike. In practice, however, it is often enough to be merely accused of wounding the religious sensitivities of others, in order to be arrested. These initiatives, aimed above all against Christians, and promoted by Hindu fundamentalist groups, reflect a fear that the Church will undermine the existing social order of the caste system and thereby endanger the associated privileges of those of the upper castes. The Christian missionaries, who above all care for the poor, Dalits (casetless) and the members of the indigenous tribal peoples, are falsely accused of converting such people by deception, money and force. Hence, it is necessary to punish these "spies of the decadent West", as they call them, in order to protect the unity and security of India, or so they claim.

The training programmes of the Regional Commission for Family and Laity also counsel the laity in legal questions and help them to practise their faith along with their fellow Catholics in the parishes. At the beginning of this year (2010), thanks to financial support from ACN (€3,000), four different training courses were held, and annual training programmes were likewise introduced. On one such course five representatives from each of the dioceses came together in Sagar for a marriage preparation course. A religious brother and canonist spoke about the Christian understanding of marriage, while a well-known lawyer addressed the delicate legal situation and another priest discussed the psychological and communicative elements of married life. The participants learned a great deal, including many practical tips, thus enabling them to return to their own parishes and conduct preparatory seminars of the same kind. Another annual programme was the regular parish visits by a variety of small teams made up of religious sisters and lay people. They are intended for the support of the local priests, by helping them to resolve various problems in the parish. Many relate to structural changes in the parishes, while others deal with conflicts within or between families. By offering selected literature, constructive discussion time, evaluations and proposed solutions, which the teams initially learn in small seminars, the participants are equipped to help the Catholics in their own parishes to live their family life and faith with stronger and more Christian values.

In this way the commission is making an important contribution to greater tolerance, mutual respect, and hence also to peace in the country.

To know about this and many other similar projects in favour of the pastoral needs of the suffering Church, please contact our national offices.