Author: admin
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LOVE JIHAD – CATHOLIC STYLE
(A sequel to “Love’s Dark Secrets”) Once again this heading challenges us to sit up and take note. We know that the term “Love Jihad” has been coined by ultra-nationalist right wing forces that have used it to push through stringent legislation against forced conversions in U.P., M.P. and Uttrakhand, all BJP ruled States. In…
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THE ARCHBISHOP RAPHY I KNOW
Normally, when a new bishop or archbishop is appointed, we are presented with a “dry run” of when the person was born, his family history, educational background, posts held, etc. Since I am not “normal” I shall stray from the straight and narrow to share my personal experiences of Bp Raphy Manjaly who was installed…
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TRACTORS, TANKS, TREASON & TRUMP
This piece is being written in the evening of Republic Day. This morning I had addressed a Flag Hoisting gathering and spoke about democracy in India and the USA, about the farm agitation and the Trump negation of his election. As a conscientious citizen, not a pseudo desh bhakt, I enjoy watching the annual Republic…
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DENOMINATIONS ARE ABOMINATIONS
I find the word “denominations” abominable. In an era of competition between different churches, the term was used to distinguish between them. In today’s ecumenical era, the term becomes redundant. I would rather call them “Sister Churches”. Did not St Paul write to the churches in Corinth, Thessalonica, Ephesus etc? Does not the Book of…
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CHRISTMAS & FRIENDSHIP
Christmas is synonymous with joy and peace. That first Christmas night, when the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the universal message was “Peace to people of Goodwill”. It was not just for Christians, but for all human beings. True friendship again is something that surpasses human barriers. It is like love that defies all…
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CHOOSING OUR BISHOPS
(A sequel to DO WE NEED BISHOPS?) When I wrote the previous article on the need or role of bishops I expected howls of protest. Surprisingly, I received mostly positive feedback, including from several priests whom I have never met. So obviously I had my finger on the pulse of the community, or had touched…
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DO WE NEED BISHOPS?
In the light of the recent appointments of bishops and archbishops, this question may seem audacious. But it is not altogether without merit. Do we really need bishops, what is their role in our lives, and if at all we do need them, then who should decide on their appointments? The role of the recently…
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SYCOPHANCY ISN’T FANCY
Ouch! They’ve done it again. Those Gandhi topi wearing Congress wallahs. The original Gandhi topi has been replaced by another Gandhi hat – the obsequious and sycophantic one, before the descendants of another Gandhi – Indira. This sycophancy was at its worst display at the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) held on March…
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NUNC DIMITTIS NUNCIO
This title would be intriguing for those who don’t know Latin. Neither do I! It is the title of the prayer in the Breviary that priests are expected to recite before going to sleep at night. It is the prayer of the Prophet Simeon who had been waiting unendingly for the coming of the Saviour….
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SUICIDE MISSION
During the Second World War this term referred to Japanese pilots who went on suicidal missions, where death was certain. The Kamikaze pilots flew their bomb-laden aircraft straight into enemy targets. Then we had the LTTE suicide bombers, like the one that assassinated former Prime Minister Rajive Gandhi. It gave rise to a host of…