Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church

National Consultation on “Gender Relations in the Church:

A call to wholeness & Equal Discipleship”.

Mumbai – August, 13 – 15, 2011

The Consultation was a follow up of the consultation organized by Streevani exactly a year ago,  prompted by two important contemporary events in the Church: 1) The publication of The Gender Policy of the Catholic Church in India, by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (2010).  2) The unprecedented crisis in the universal Church triggered by revelations in the public domain of cases of pedophilia and sex abuse.  

This Consultation jointly organized by Streevani (Voice of Women), Satyashodak, Montfort Social Institute and Indian Women Theologians Forum was held at Anugraha, Holy Spirit Hospital Compound, Mahakali Caves Road, Mumbai, from 13 – 15August 2011.  The Theme was “Gender Relations in the Church: A call to wholeness & Equal Discipleship”.

 The participants were of a fair representation of the different sectors of the church.  There were 42 in all, of whom 29 were women and 13 men.  Among these participants there were persons who are in leadership positions in the church such as  Bishop Agnelo Gracias, Auxiliary Bishop of the Bombay Archdiocese, Bro. K.M. Joseph SG., the President of the National CRI,  Sr. Helen Saldhana,  Secretary, Women’s Commission, Provincial Superiors, Theologians,  Formators, Grass Roots Activists, Feminist thinkers, People involved in education, Health care,  Media,   Psychologists, Lawyers and a host of other professionals.

Bro. Varghese Theckanath S.G, in the context of situating the Consultation and its Dynamics explained the four-fold purpose:

1.     To understand sexual abuse from a legal perspective

2.     To study sexual abuse in the church from a morality and psycho-sexual paradigm

3.     To analyze the structural implications for the church in creating a more just gender relations

4.     To formulate recommendations for the different sectors of the Church in negotiating wholeness and equal discipleship.

Inaugural messages were given by Rt. Rev. Agnelo Gracias and Bro. Joseph. K.M, the President of National CRI, and Sr. Pauline Pereira, the Assistant Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of the Servants of the Holy Spirit, Rome.

Dr. Joseph M.T. SVD, while Situating the theme of the consultation “Gender Relations in the Church: A call to wholeness & Equal Discipleship”,  explained that as committed members of the Catholic Church in India, as women and men disciples of Jesus, the onus is on us today to engage in the following:

a)     Familiarize with the new frontiers of Gender equality and justice carved out in the civic sphere.

b)    To look at the deeply entrenched ideas and practices in the church today.

c)     To have the courage to face with an outstanding sense of honesty and integrity the cases of abuses of power by men.

d)    Explore the ways in which the maximum of equal discipleship can become a reality. Etc.

Eminent resource persons helped the participants to deepen their knowledge on the  following topics:

1.     Dr. Tony Da Silva, SJ, dwelt on the topic “Understanding Sexuality, intimacy and Human relationship in Consecrated life”.

2.     Advocate Flavia Agnes, explained the Indian law.

3.     Dr Shaji George Kochuthara CMI, presented the paper on Official Response to the sexual abuse scandal in the Curch: A critical appreciation and analysis.

4.     Ms Virginia Saldhana – spoke on  Sexual abuses as a crime: Global perspectives. 

5.     Dr. Shalini Mulackal, PBVM, presented her paper on understanding the Morality of Sexual Abuse. 

6.     Dr. Jacob Parappally MSFS, explained The Theological basis of Hierarchical structures in the Church – Implications for Gender Relations.

7.      Dr. Rosamma John ICM,  spoke on the Psychology of Hierarchical structures in the Church – Implications for Gender Relations.

8.     Dr. Julian Saldanha SJ. Moderated the panel on Negotiating Partnership in the Church.  The members of the Panel were the following:

1.     Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, Scientist & Feminist Writer.

2.     Sr Jyoti Pinto BS, (Former Mother General of Bethany Sisters)

3.     Dr Paul Raj, S G,  Provincial Superior.

4.     Mr Joseanthony Joseph, Married Theologian.

Read the Statement