Catholic Missionaries continue with Inculturation !!!

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Catholic Missionaries continue with Inculturation !

( Author : Dr.Durgesh Samant) A conference was held at Chiang Mai, recently . The conference was titled �Asian Mission Congress�. Though this conference was not given much coverage in the Bharatiya Newspapers, Goa's English newspaper 'Herald' gave it a big coverage. Not only every awakened Hindu should take note of this conference and also note what transpired at the conference. The importance of this conference can be gauged upon gleaning the list of participants. 1047 representatives from 25 countries participated in this conference, in which 5 Cardinals, 69 Archbishops and Bishops, 385 priests participated with their delegations from various countries. Pope Benedict XVI sent Cardinal Sepe as his special envoy to the conference. Similarly Cardinal Ivan Dias, Head of the 'Congregation for the Evangelisation (in short, Evangelisation means promoting Christianity) of people' (this is the office that handles the spread of Christianity in the world for the Vatican) was also present for the conference. Upon going through the theme of the Conference and reading the news coverage of various speeches made during the conference, it will be clear that the members are determined to 'Spread the message of Christianity in Asia using any and every mean what so ever!'. Determination is a good attribute. But what if this attribute is used for an ulterior objective and with an undesirable methodology? That is why, all this has to be seriously pondered over not by the missionaries, but by the enlightened and righteous people of the Eastern religions. The missionaries claim that it is their right to propagate their religion. In doing so, they do not think much about what is proper or improper way to do so. What is important to them are 'the numbers converted' or their harvest. That is why they do any thing - lie, misrepresent, coerce to convert people to Christianity; this is applicable to missionaries the world over and is well known to all who have studied their activities and history. The theme of this conference was 'The Story of Jesus Christ in Asia: A Celebration of Faith and Life.Accordingly, many propounded that 'Jesus was from Asia' . From this it should be understood that the non Christians shall be told this again and again emphatically. Asians consider Christianity to be a foreign religion ; and so this missionary endeavour. Here the word 'inculturation' comes into play. We could say that it means getting inducted into the culture and heritage of a people. In practical terms it would mean that the converted Christian continues to perform the rituals and practices of his original religion. Along with this it would be said that there is an instruction in Bible about these rituals, and it (inculturation) also means that this is how it will be told. We provide here, what was said by some important dignitaries in this conference, as it will provide an opportunity to the Hindus to study the psychology of the missionaries, their perspective, their policies and their method of propagating Christianity.

(What is clear from this repeatedly is the singularly obstinate Christian mentality that whatever others might possess is inferior to what they have and whatever happens, theirs will be the last word. Bharatiyas were celebrating Diwali when this conference was on. At least now the Hindus should be aware of what is happening around them, when they are celebrating their festivals. - Author)They say the Church has always respected the cultures of the Asian sub-Continent!The Pope's special envoy to the conference said, 'the local churches work towards an intra-religious dialogue. The Catholic Church has always had great respect for various cultures of the Asian sub-Continent.' (There are many examples right from the Dark era of the 'Inquisition' in Goa, which show that the ground reality is quite different. Reading what the Catholics did in Goa would send shivers down any ones spine. (The curious should read books written by Late Dr. T. B. Cunha, a catholic himself and a congressman or historians like Late Shri. A.K.Priolkar). It is another matter that even today there are news reports of Christian schools not allowing girls to wear bangles, apply Kumkum on their forehead, or not allowing boys to wear rakhis in school. Missionary use of words like' always had great respect for various cultures ' is nothing but a whitewash.- Author)The true face of the Missionary work, which is supposed to be in the interests of society!Cardinal Sepe, special envoy of the Pope at the conference referred to Pope John Paul 2 when he told the congregation, 'If any charitable act is not done in Jesus' name, it will remain only an action useful for society.'(If they want to remind themselves about JESUS while performing the charity work then its a little different matter. But ground reality is that they are interested to remind the beneficiaries about it. Working for the benefit of the society is a mere fa�ade for the Missionaries. They even do not miss a chance of telling a person not to do so! - Author)The cardinal insisted - The story of Jesus is not imaginary!In his message, Cardinal Poupard referred to the 'Convention on Christian Humanism' held at Bangkok in the year 1999. He said that the proceedings of this convention were compiled in the book 'Illuminating the Light of the Gospel, the Mosaic of Asian Cultures' and that the story of Jesus was not imaginary, but a true story.(Many western Historians have refuted the historical existence of Jesus of Nazareth. May be it was because of this that the cardinal felt the need to stress the factuality of Jesus. - Author)We are reproducing in short important passages of Cardinal Poupard's speech. This will help the readers understand the direction the missionary movement in Asia will take and the strategy they will zealously pursue in future.The Missionaries' Strategy!�The Story of Jesus, therefore, necessarily calls for the evangelization of cultures and the Inculturation of the faith. The evangelization of cultures and the Inculturation of the Gospel go hand in hand, in a reciprocal relationship which presupposes constant discernment in the light of the Gospel, to facilitate the identification of values and counter-values in a given culture, so as to build on the former and vigorously combat the latter'. (Cf. A Pastoral Approach to Culture # 5) � Cardinal Poupard.(This is like the foreign liquor manufacturers deciding to come to villages in Bharat and telling the womenfolk the proper and improper methods of preparing Roti ! Alert Hindus should now observe and study Christianity and the missionaries in the context of their own Hindu angle. - Author)The Missionaries perspective of the local cultures is a medium of promoting Christianity and as culture is a human creation, it is therefore marked by Sin!The Story of Jesus Christ is first and foremost an Asian story. Jesus Christ is an Asian gift to Mankind. It is unfortunate that for centuries now the story of Jesus Christ has not had the desired impact in Asia, partly because Christianity has been seen as a foreign religion. Asia is the cradle of major religions and spiritual traditions of the world. The countries in the continent of Asia have ancient cultures, which are profoundly influenced by non-Christian religions and traditions of wisdom. The story of Jesus Christ cannot be celebrated in a vacuum. Local cultures are necessary vehicles to express God's (Jesus') revelation of love that is at the core of faith. At the same time, it will be appropriate to remember that, "since culture is a human creation and is therefore marked by sin', it too needs to be 'healed, ennobled and perfected'. (Redemtoris Mission # 54). There is a close link between faith and culture; there must be a healthy osmosis between the two. The synthesis between culture and faith is not only a demand of culture but also of faith�A faith that does not become culture is a faith not fully accepted, not entirely thought out, not faithfully lived.' This was so prophetically highlighted by our dear departed John Paul II. I do wish that the reflections and discussion at this Asian Mission Congress will lead to a more effective proclamation of the person of Jesus Christ in the Asian continent, even while accepting, respecting and appreciating the cultural values and truths found in Asian Cultures and religions. Asia has its diversity of cultures and creeds. What we need to do is to illumine it with the Light of the Gospel, so that its beauty shines forth with greater splendour'. � Cardinal Poupard(The Missionaries while examining why they have not been able to convert as many Asians as they expected to, do not want to take into account the fact the religions of Asia teach that anyone can worship God in whichever way they like and no one should force their way on others. If the Missionaries sincerely follow this and try to realise God in this way, no one will question them (but then they will seize to remain missionary!); instead they try every method to convince how the other religions are worthless and how only their path is the only correct path to reach God. Manifestation of this egotism, is the effort to show the 'splendour' of Asian cultures in the light of their 'Good News'. Of course they are then thinking of Inculturation of the Asian Cultures into Christianity. Which means that the respect, they are now showing to the local cultures is their policy for promoting Christianity and not a sincere feeling of respect towards it. The observers should note this. It is clear that under the cover of the Asian cultures, they will establish themselves and when possible they will throw these very same Asian Cultures overboard. The only difference is that in the olden days the missionaries did their work without adopting such devious methods. (As an example, see the History of Missionary activity in Goa - Author)�The story of Jesus is the Biggest Bestseller!� � Cardinal ToppoThe Story of Jesus! Even after 2000 years, this story remains a bestseller and will remain so in the years to come till the end of time. The story of Jesus is the core around which revolves the story of mankind. Take away this story and the entire plot of the story of mankind falls flat, making human life meaningless'. - Cardinal Toppo, (Archbishop of Ranchi, President, Conference of Catholic Bishops of Bharat) at the beginning of his address.(Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharat, Ramayana and other scriptures were being read and followed in Bharat (and Overseas) long before the birth of Christianity. They formed the basis of preaching; but never did devout Hindus view them as 'bestsellers'. In the Hindu culture, stories of Gods, meant to preach Righteousness (Dharma) were not valued for their ability as 'Bestsellers'. The missionaries view their God's story in this light. That is the difference! This is how a mentality gets manifested unknowingly. Cardinal Toppo's address brings out the 'business-like attitude' (It is besides the point, that when compared to the preachers Hindus have known, like Adya Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekanand, these missionaries can definitely not be called preachers.) and their capital! The Hindus should examine the activities of these missionaries and the teachings of their religion (Christianity) on the basis of the teaching in the Hindu religion.If human life without the 'bestseller story of Jesus' is meaningless, then the life of the Asian people over the centuries should have been more aimless than that of the westerners. It is a well-known fact that when Bharat was developed and prosperous in every way, the western countries did not even know of the simple things for everyday living. Bharat even had cities and rules for urban living. The civilization was advanced to the extent that when two Kings fought a war, the common man did not suffer. If the story of Jesus has the ability to give meaning to human lives, why then are the churches in the western nations barren? Why have the westerners used and rejected this 'bestseller and a product that will be of use till the end of the world'? Or is it that what they are trying to sell, is non-existent, as has been made clear by the western historians! Of course, if one's very existence depends upon the 'business', and then to make the business prosper one will follow any means! - Author)Christians are masking their only God to propagate Christianity in Asia!'Intercultural and inter-religious dialogues are taking up the Asian Synod's challenge to present Jesus Christ in a new way to the people's of Asia. This First Asian Mission Congress is crafted to do just that by presenting �The Story of Jesus in Asia" through a pastoral and catechetical approach. In Asia, �We want to see Jesus" (Jn. 12, 21) with an Asian face; this has been the concern of Asian Theology and Asian Christology. This first Asian Mission Congress, I am happy to note, is accepting this.' - The Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, in his address.(Now, why does a story told for the last 2000 years needs to be told in a different way? This seems similar to the approach of Multinational companies marketing their products for Asia, when they do a market study of the Asian taste and likings and modify their products eg Potato Chips etc. Or it might also remind you of the phrase, 'Old wine in a new bottle'. Where is spirituality in such an attitude? If we are to accept the Asian face of Christ as true, then what about his earlier face or faces? - Author)The Missionary perspective on St. Francis Xavier, torturer of the Hindus!This year there are added reasons not just to renew our commitment but to review and renew our commitment to mission at all levels: Bishops-Priests-Religious-Laity-Associations-Movements-Institutions, as this year we celebrate the fifth centenary of the birth of St Francis Xavier, patron of mission and missionaries, who was instrumental in spreading the Faith in various countries of Asia. - Fr. Saturnino Dias(These words lay bare the mentality of the missionaries. When we say any thing about the oppression of the Hindus in Goa, or about the cruel Inquisition of that period, they call it a thing of the past. And also say that the Pope has apologised for the Inquisition. (Actually the Pope has apologized for the European Inquisition).

But on the other hand, they do not stop praising the cruel Saint Francis Xavier as their Missionary brother. He was first to ask for the Inquisition in Goa. Penrose's words throw light on St. Francis's missionary zeal. He writes, 'if one is like to pinpoint a date that started the downfall of the Portuguese empire, then that would be 6th May 1542, the day St. Francis set foot on Goan soil. After that Jesuit oppression reached the zenith. All methods of corruption, oppression and torture were used by him for conversions.' Another 'achievement' of St. Xavier is that he is the originator of anti-Brahmin feeling in Bharat. If the Missionaries have a respect for such a St. Xavier, then the shrewd intelligencia must have realised the cunningness in all the missionary talk of dialogue with other religions, (local) Inculturation, respect for customs of other religions etc. - Author)