Catholic Associations (CAs) seem to have something of the “underdog” status in the Church in India.  They are gravely misunderstood by the hierarchy, and apathetically looked at by the laity.  The role of CAs is often confused with that of parish councils (PCs).  It is understandable that the unlettered and ignorant laity is not aware…

 (The Present North Indian Context of the Mission of the Church – a presentation at the CCBI Seminar on “How to help our institutions to become centres emanating the Good News” – Nav Sadhana, Varanasi, 10th -13th August 2003) 1. INTRODUCTION:  The fig leaf could not hide the shame of humanity (cf Gen 3:17).  But…

(A sequel to “BOTTOMS UP – NOW BUTTONED DOWN”) The assistant placed the symbol of authority around the neck of the leader.  A bell rang.  The assembly began.  An exhortation was given.  A collection box was passed around.  They shared something to eat.  Announcements were made.  The assembly ended.  They came out of the hall…

In life before Munnabhai MBBS, the acronym, besides being a medical degree, also stood for “Member of the Big Bottom Society”!  During our school days that is what we nicknamed guys with big posteriors. Why talk of bottoms?  The bottom line comes from Cardinal Ivan Dias of Mumbai’s recent appeal for a dress code in…

Our cardinals seem to have an epidemic of “Foot in Mouth Disease”! The latest victim of this epidemic is Cardinal Vithayathil of Ernakulam.  His exhortation to Catholics to produce more babies is absurd.  His allegation that it is a sin and injustice not to do so, has crossed all bounds of decency (Have Good Married…

There is a report that Pope Benedict, while recently baptising some children, had advocated that they be given Christian names. He frowned upon naming children after celebrities. This has me flummoxed. What exactly is a “Christian” name? Also, what is in a name? No doubt I will be reminded of the saying that a rose…