Indian bishops wrap up weeklong plenary

Prelates vow to curb clericalism, live simpler lives and promote a greener society.

Bangalore:  The church in India should avoid clericalism, reject extravagence by adopting a life of simplicity and promote a love of nature, Catholic bishops said at the end of a weeklong biennial meeting on March 9.

We should be "first and foremost, shepherds of their flock, available and service minded," they said about their role in a statement issued at the end of their March 2-9 plenary in the southern city of Bangalore.

Catholic bishops and priests in India "should be an example of simplicity and spirituality that can be an inspiration to everyone," said the statement signed by Cardinal Baselios Cleemis of Trivandrum, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.

The 178 bishops from 171 dioceses also proposed setting up "pastoral structures such as parish councils and finance committees" to promote administrative "transparency and accountability" at all levels of the church.

A simple lifestyle would mean "opening our houses and institutions to the poor" and "rediscovering the power of the Word of God and prayer," the prelates said.

They also proposed "refashioning the formation of priests and religious" to help them respond to the "challenges of our times with faith and courage."

The bishops noted Pope Francis' challenges "to be authentic in our Christian vocation by freeing ourselves from traditional structures, institutionalization and to break new ground, shedding the comforts and privileges of office and status."

All invited to create better society

The bishops urged all "people of goodwill in India" to join them in working for a "better church and better society."

Discussing the church's response to the challenges facing society, they listed issues such as declining family values and growing consumerism.

They saw a lack of commitment to Christian vocations, evangelization and ecumenism as internal challenges for the church.

India's poverty, illiteracy, violations of constitutional rights of religious minorities and increasing religious extremism were national challenges, the bishops said.

Cardinal Cleemis told ucanews.com that the church in India is "responding positively to all these challenges with its mission of education and service to the poor. Our only response now would be to reaffirm our commitment to serve the nation," he said.

Their proposals to improving Catholic family life include parish priests visiting families, having marriage counseling and marriage enrichment programs and the setting up of a system to care for all people in a parish, including the elderly.

Responding to Pope Francis' call for an environmental commitment by the church, the bishops vowed "to go the heart of environmental degradation and advocate education in ecological responsibility."

They want every parish to draw up its own green policy and organize programs to foster love for nature. They also want parishes to encourage the use of solar energy, bio-fuels, and harvest rainwater as well as encouraging organic farming and avoiding the use of plastics and pesticides.

Source: UCAN