As waves of scandals involving pedophile priests mired the Church in Europe and America, Pope Benedict XVI admitted to some 50 cardinals at the Vatican on April 15, 2010 that he led a "wounded and sinner” Church. During his visits abroad in April-May 2010 he apologized many times. On April 18, 2010 at a gathering of 48,000 people for mass at the National Park Stadium in Washington he empathized by saying, "No words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse.” Yes, some priests in the higher echelons of the Church have certainly erred, casting a cloud over its image. But when we objectively examine the history of religions, have there not been dark periods in every religious tradition when certain incidents have tarnished its image?
As an ardent advocate of the interfaith movement, I wish to dwell very briefly on the stellar role of the Church in India in the socio-educational field. Although the present Catholic population is only 43,26,928 in a burgeoning 1.1 billion, their contribution to the nation has been phenomenal. Over the decades, they have made a seminal contribution to the educational field. According to 2008 statistics, they have set up 3,422 educational institutions which include primary and secondary schools, colleges, technical schools, teachers’ training colleges, etc. As far as the social welfare institutes are concerned, their record is equally commendable. They have established 2,280 institutes all over India including hospitals, dispensaries, homes for the disabled, orphanages, leprosaria, AIDS hospices and homes for the mentally challenged, the aged and destitute. Which other minority community in India has contributed so much, and to so many, for so long? Millions of the poor and deprived have benefited through these services.
There are innumerable self-effacing souls who have spent their lives serving suffering humanity in many godforsaken corners of the world. I cite a few examples.
In 1982, Uganda was the first country to be attacked by the AIDS virus. As in other African countries, the Anglican Communion took the lead in fighting this scourge. Rev Canon Gideon Byamugisha played a pioneering role in the fight against AIDS. In South Africa, Sister Dietharde, a Dominican nun and hospital chaplain was one of the founding members of the Community Aids Response (CARE), an organization born out of prayer and faith and with a vision of a holistic approach. She has been emphasizing to her patients that AIDS is not God’s punishment (as is generally believed) and that "Jesus presented a God of compassion who knows our human frailty.” Since 1992, a humble Catholic priest, Fr Naikam working with lepers near Ranchi (India) has been encouraging his patients to educate their children. As a result these students are being educated in schools run by Christian missionaries in various cities of Orissa state.
As the summer of 2008 was very harsh, the rice crop in Kuttanad in Kerala could not be harvested in time due to labor shortage. A large part of it was lost due to unseasonable rain which led to some poor farmers committing suicide. To save the situation, Fr Thomas Peelianikkal immediately led a group of fellow priests and harvested whatever could be saved.
These are some of the many who have touched the lives of the depraved, despised and downtrodden in remote and forgotten parts of the world. Surviving through political and social turmoil, they live only to serve the suffering and the poorest of the poor. When I take a holistic view of the work of so many priests and nuns working selflessly at the grassroots level, I have great respect and admiration for the Church. Taking into account this immensely compassionate work done by so many, who can disparage the Catholic Church?
As a representative of the Zoroastrian tradition, I was invited by the Vatican to participate in the Day of Prayer for Peace at Assisi on October 27, 1986. That historic conference has left an indelible mark on my life. Since then, I have been inspired to work actively for the interfaith movement and have been moved to write this in the spirit of interfaith solidarity and understanding. DR HOMI DHALLA
wzcf@bom8.vsnl.net.in