INDIA Church Asked To End 'Double Speak' On Gender Justice

KOCHI, India (UCAN) -- The triennial meeting of India's major Religious superiors began on Jan. 27 with their leader urging the Catholic Church to end its "double speak" on gender justice.

The Church understands the need for gender justice, but does not know how to insure it, Montfort Brother Varghese Theckanath told the national assembly of the Conference of Religious India (CRI), of which he is national president.

"Gender-sensitive Church" is the theme of the five-day program at Kochi, southern India. Some 575 major superiors representing 125,000 Catholic men and women Religious in the country are attending the event.

"As far as gender justice in the Church is concerned, the die is cast. But dilemmas remain, bordering on double speak," Brother Theckanath remarked in his keynote address. The Catholic Church remains "one of the most patriarchal of institutions," he said, despite "profound, egalitarian and nondiscriminative" responses and statements from the hierarchy.

The 48-year-old Religious described the assembly theme as "timely, Spirit-inspired, prophetic and future-oriented" with its focus on bridging "the gaps" between the vision and practices in the Church.

Gender justice within the Church and society would help end discrimination against women, he acknowledged. But it also would help the Church to become collaborative and to "discover the relational character of humanity, affirm unity in diversity and connect all to the whole of creation." He cited liberation, inclusion and celebration as the marks of a collaborative Church.

"We are looking forward to an ideal situation where we can create a level playing field for women as much as for men through policies to redistribute resources -- both material and spiritual -- responsibilities and rights in all spheres of social life," said Brother Theckanath, superior of his Montfort Brothers' Hyderabad province.

He said women continue to be denied access to decision-making in the Church even after repeated discussions on this.

As an example of "double speak" on gender justice in the Church, he cited the late Pope John Paul II's "Pastor Bonus" (good shepherd), the 1988 apostolic constitution on the reorganization of the Roman Curia. According to Brother Theckanath, the document categorically states that "matters requiring the exercise of power of governance be reserved to those in Holy Orders." Even official recognition of minor orders such as lectors and acolytes has been banned for women, the brother noted, adding that this "shows where we stand."

He charged that the Church uses the biblical imagery of the bride and bridegroom to justify an unequal relationship between men and women in the Church. "We must admit that there cannot be a participatory Church with gender justice as long as the Church retains the assumption that female humanity is ontologically different and secondary to male humanity," he asserted.

Brother Theckanath charged that families, schools and religious formation houses perpetuate gender discrimination and "inculturation of patriarchal values," which in turn block "meaningful collaboration." He challenged the Religious superiors to use their network of schools and formation houses to change the cultural stereotyping of women.

He called on women Religious to lead the campaign to change the misconceptions about women through a theological and political agenda. This will lead to a more gender-sensitive Church, he added.

Many participants told UCA News that setting such an agenda in the Church is tough, but they expressed their happiness over identifying the problems.

Father George Patteri, superior of the Jesuits' Kolkata province in eastern India, told UCA News the assembly would help Religious broaden their perceptions about gender justice. While admitting that it is not possible to change the Church "overnight," he sees hope because the Church realizes it has a problem of "gender justice" and must involve women more in decision-making.

Sister Roshni, provincial of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, maintained that "meaningful collaboration of men and women" would strengthen the Church. She added that women Religious are also "equally responsible" for the Church's patriarchal mindset. "Jesus showed us how to fight injustice. But we are scared to fight. We should be honest about it. Changes would come only when we force changes," she said.

Sister Elisita, assistant superior general of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, expressed optimism. "I have faith in the Church and believe that things will change. This meeting is a small step forward," she commented.

Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy of Trichur, who opened the assembly, acknowledged gender equality "remains a dream within the Church and society."

Bishop George Punnakkottil of Kothamangalam, who also addressed the assembly, urged Religious to protect, guide and support women within the Church and society. "Our community will only be strengthened when we establish gender justice," he said.