chhotebhai's Writings

  • WHOSE FAMILIES ARE THEY ANYWAY?

    This piece has been inspired by two recent events. This morning (4th July), I read that “nice guy” Amir Khan was divorcing Kiran Rao, his second wife, of over a decade.  The previous day I had read a Vatican News report by Devin Watkins that Pope Francis was convening the 10th edition of the World…

  • KANPUR STANDS WITH STAN

    The citizens of Kanpur stood as one under the banner “We Stand with Stan” at a commemoration cum commitment service held at St Patrick’s Church hall on 9th July. It was organised by the Kanpur Catholic Association (KCA), with the active collaboration of St Aloysius’ School. Due to Covid protocol the gathering was restricted, nevertheless…

  • CUSTODIANS OF WHAT TRADITION?

    The magician was dressed in .flowing robes. He had his back to the audience. He claimed to be an alchemist that could change lead into gold – transubstantiation. In between his secret mumbo-jumbo he would suddenly turn around to face his audience, raise his arms, with his index fingers touching the thumbs, as in a…

  • WEAPONIZING COMMUNION – DEMONIZING PEOPLE

    (A sequel to “Hello … Can you hear me?”) A middle aged man with a shock of dishevelled straw-yellow hair approached the altar of the cathedral in London, in wedding attire. He had been born a Catholic and subsequently joined the Anglican Church. He had been twice married and divorced, and now had a child…

  • HELLO … CAN YOU HEAR ME?

    “Ciao,questo e` Papa Francesco” (Hello, this is Pope Francis calling). “Aap jis number ko call kar rahe hain,vah kaphi samay se network coverage se bahar hai” (The number you are calling has been out of the network area for some time)! Pope Francis was desperately trying to get through to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of…

  • DECALOGUE SIX & BOOK SIX

    Lest one go into sixes and sevens over this title; it was occasioned by a recent headline in the Times of India that read “New Vatican Law criminalizes sexual abuse by priests, laity”. It was referring to Decalogue Six, the sixth commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14, Deut 5:18). It was also referring…

Latest Comments

  2. It is a joy that Fr. Amalor is being recognised by the Church. The breath of his vision for the…

  3. Dear Chhotebhai, Thank you for your thoughtful piece on Swami Amalorpavadass and for recalling his life and work with affection.…

  4. A very demanding, reflective and down to earth analyse of a Post Second Vatican Theologian in India Father Amalor ,…