http://www.smcnews.com smcnews http://backend.userland.com/rss http://mybloggie.mywebland.com/?v=2006 http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=483 30 Sep 2008 03:15:49 pm GMT +5.30 KCBC http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=483 Kochi: The first meeting of Hindu-Christian leaders in Kerala, held in the background of recent attack on Christians and Churches in some states, resolved to work for mutual respect of each others’ religious beliefs and place of worship. The summit, held at the initiative of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) and attended by top leaders of the churches and Hindu religious organizations, condemned the attacks. It also took a stand against compulsory conversions, while at the same time stressing the individuals’ right to convert out of deep conviction and faith A resolution passed by the inter-religious dialogue said conversion by force and insult to sacred symbols of other religions would do away with communal harmony existing in the state. Each individual has the right to believe in the religion of his choice. Forcing person to join another religion is not at all desirable. An individual should not be denied his right and freedom to believe in his own religion. Insulting another religion’s sacred symbols is not right. The leaders urged the public to be vigilant against political parties’ efforts to take advantage of religious sentiments and to instigate communal passions. Christian delegation was lead by His Eminence Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, CBCI President, Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil, KCBC President, Major Archbishop Baselios Mar Cleemis, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath. Six Swamies and eight Hindu leaders of RSS, VHP, Hindu Ikyavethi were participated the meeting. Dr. Stephen Alathara Spokesperson, KCBC Kochi: The first meeting of Hindu-Christian leaders in Kerala, held in the background of recent attack on Christians and Churches in some states, resolved to work for mutual respect of each others’ religious beliefs and place of worship. The summit, held at the initiative of the Kerala Catholic ......

]]> http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=483 http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=482 10 Aug 2008 02:42:49 pm GMT +5.30 KCBC http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=482 Kochi: Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council decided to continue the protest against the controversial textbook prescribed for seventh standard, which glorifies atheism, communist ideas and violence. The Education Commission of the council prepared a workbook for the controversial textbook, which will introduce to all the Catholic schools in Kerala. As part of the continuing protest, August 15 will be observed as a “Day of Protection of Faith”. Catholic faithful will take special pledge for the nation and religious freedom in Kerala. The Council also decided to introduce special textbooks for Sunday class students to emphasise the need for children to grow in faith and the dangers of godlessness. There will be special prayers during Sunday Mass in Catholic churches in the State to save Kerala society from atheism and for society to uphold moral values. The KCBC criticized a decision by the Kerala State government to reduce the percentage of reservation for Latin Catholics in degree and post-graduate courses in government, arts science colleges. Educational institutions run by the Catholic Church was offering four percent reservation to Latin Catholics. Bishop Mar George Punnakkottil was appointed chairman of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council’s Bible Commission. A common pastoral letter will be read out on October 5th Sunday in all the Catholic Churches in connection with the canonization of blessed Alphonsa from Kerala. Dr. Stephen Alathara Spokesperson, KCBC Kochi: Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council decided to continue the protest against the controversial textbook prescribed for seventh standard, which glorifies atheism, communist ideas and violence. The Education Commission of the council prepared a workbook for the controversial textbook, which ......

]]> http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=482 http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=481 26 Jul 2008 04:22:54 am GMT +5.30 Ernakulam http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=481 Kochi: The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) has urged the Central Law Commission to withdraw recommendations to legalise mercy killing and suicide. The KCBC observed that the recommendations might cause far-reaching consequences. “The Law Commission has brought mercy killing and suicide under human rights and it has recommended the legalizing these two. The Commission headed by Justice A. R. Lakshmanan has also recommended cancellation of Article 309 of the Indian Penal Code which makes suicide attempt an offence,” said Dr. Stephen Alathara the spokesperson of the KCBC. Life is given by God and only God has the ultimate power on life. Humanity is honoured when a person lives up to his natural death. The government and society should take the initiative to provide more care and infrastructure for patients suing advanced technology while those who have the suicide tendency should be given counselling. The KCBC decided to submit complaint to Parliament and the Law Commission against the recommendations. Dr. Stephen Alathara Spokesperson, KCBC Kochi: The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) has urged the Central Law Commission to withdraw recommendations to legalise mercy killing and suicide. The KCBC observed that the recommendations might cause far-reaching consequences. “The Law Commission has brought mercy killing and ......

]]> http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=481 http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=480 03 Jul 2008 05:55:01 pm GMT +5.30 Ernakulam http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=480 The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council has instructed the lay faithful to continue and strengthen the programme of protest action until the Kerala State Communist Government withdraw the controversial textbook prescribed for seventh standard which glorifies atheism, communist ideas and violence. The instructions from the apex body of the bishops in Kerala have gone out to the 13 Syro-Malabar diocese, 11 Latin dioceses and 5 dioceses under the Syro-Malankara Church. The KCBC instruction was to involve people from other faiths and believes including Hindus and Muslims in the protest against the seventh class social science textbook and to popularise the protest action. Rely hunger strikes, corner meetings, involvement of the laity and awareness programmes have been suggested by the KCBC. The bishops have also said that special training class would be conducted for those who teach the controversial seventh class textbook. Dr. Stephen Alathara Spokesperson, KCBC The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council has instructed the lay faithful to continue and strengthen the programme of protest action until the Kerala State Communist Government withdraw the controversial textbook prescribed for seventh standard which glorifies atheism, communist ideas and violence. ......

]]> http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=480 http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=479 11 May 2008 01:52:00 pm GMT +5.30 Kottayam http://www.smcnews.com/news/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=479 ALUVA - Indian theologians say the Church should not present itself as the "omniscient teacher" but rather work in today's changing society without claiming any special status. The theologians proposed this in a statement they issued at the end of their April 26-30 annual meeting. Church's Engagement in Civil Society: A New Way of Being Christian Today was the theme for discussion. The 31st meeting of the Indian Theological Association drew 64 theologians including five lay people and seven nuns. They gathered at a seminary in Aluva. The Church in India exists in a society that is "getting increasingly polarized on the basis of religion, ideology, class and caste," and the need now is to assure everyone freedom, equal dignity and quality of life, they observed in their statement. It says the papers presented and discussions held at the meeting helped clarify the Church's engagement in civil society and articulate a new way of being Christians in India. "Our humble submission is that the Church play an appropriate role by engaging in civil society as one among equals and as an agent of prophetic collaboration with all who make up civil society," the theologians proposed. They want the Church to engage other individuals and groups "not as an omniscient teacher but as a humble ally" who treats partners with respect and love in responding to current social issues. With such a mindset, the statement says, the Church would look for answers while engaging "in the space" society allows it. The Church they envision "claims no special status and is willing to offer its beliefs, counsels and prophetic actions to all whom it encounters in (this) civil space." Rather than professing doctrines and cultic identity, the Church would commit to build an egalitarian society "where all experience their true identity as God's children." The statement clarifies that "the new way of being Christian" does not repudiate the past but involves "articulating human fulfillment for all peoples that the Church is called to serve." The theologians underscored that to live in such a "civic space" would entail rewriting the Gospel for secular society. "This is certainly a hazardous task," they acknowledged, but "every challenge that is raised by civil culture is an opportunity to retreat into our own depths for regaining the lost spirit of the Gospel." Their statement also says the Church has to promote "quality education," open more avenues for non-formal learning and strengthen India's pluralistic culture to make the Christian presence more effective in local society. Citing another form of participation, it says Christians have a role to play in building a just society. But this should not be done by forming an "exclusive political party for the Christians, which will only split their political strength in India." Furthermore, Church authorities have to "create a culture of partnership" by giving laypeople prominence in the official decision-making bodies, training them for top civil-service positions and assisting them in their political involvement, the theologians said. In today's world, where "the laws of globalization and privatization" dominate, the Church can intervene with its social teachings that ask to share the "excess profit with others who are in real need," the statement says. Referring to the media explosion in India, the theologians maintained the Church has to engage in the fields of media and information technology "to become the leaven of Christ in civil society." They want the Church to engage in "a fruitful dialogue" on issues and complexities "arising out of the Google-culture." It should use new technologies "in faith-formation," since they are "placed at our disposal to discover, to use and to make known the truth." The new way of Christian engagement in society calls for a new ecclesiology that would focus more on the common baptism of all rather than stressing the importance of "Holy Orders" within the Church, the statement says. It also calls for Church leaders to recognize and foster new ways in which groups of laypeople, clerics, Religious and secular institute members can respond to their Christian vocation. New Church structures that ensure gender equality and promote honesty and transparency are needed, it adds. ALUVA - Indian theologians say the Church should not present itself as the "omniscient teacher" but rather work in today's changing society without claiming any special status. The theologians proposed this in a statement they issued at the end of their April 26-30 annual meeting. Church's ......

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