By: Msgr. Siluvai National Director – PMS India

By: Msgr. Siluvai National Director – PMS India PONTIFICAL MISSION SOCIETIES IN INDIA

To execute the last testament of the Risen Lord. “The missionary mandate of the Risen Lord accompanies us into the Third Millennium & urges us to share the same enthusiasm of the very first Christians as Peter, Paul , John etc..” NMI – Pope John Paul - II ROLE & MISSION

Christianity & The Early Church in India

The 1500 years saw the Growth of Christianity in the Subcontinent –Malabar (Kerala) & Madras The 15th Century marked the 2nd Spring of Christianity in India. Arrival of the Portuguese and Missionaries like St Francis Xavier, St Gonzalo Gracia and St John de Britto Christianity spread across the East & West Coast The “Missionary Zeal” saw Mission Hospitals & Mission Schools bring +ve Relief, Charity, Zeal & Empowerment Early Church in India

1969 National Bishops Conference to implement the Vatican Council II 1973 Consultation on Evangelization took place in Patna Role of the Church in India The BISHOP will promote: Evangelization work among the faithful The Papal Mission Works Church Post Vatican II

The PRIESTS should: Stir up and persevere amid the faithful a Zeal for evangelization of the World The LAITY will: Cooperate in the Church’s work of Evangelization as witnesses As living Instruments, they share in her saving Mission especially if they have been called by God and accepted by the Bishop Church Post Vatican II

The Religious Institutes are: Bound to practice with greater perfection their role in active and contemplative life Obliged & impelled to a truly Catholic spirit of work in and through prayer, suffering and works of penance & charity Professors in Seminaries & Universities shall: Teach young people the true state of the Church and focus on the “Missionary Elements” while teaching on the Dogmas, biblical, moral and historical branches, to form missionary awareness in the future priests Church Post Vatican II

The Whole people of God shall: Lead a profoundly Christian Life Have a lively awareness of their responsibility to the world Foster in themselves a truly catholic spirit Spend their forces in the work of evangelization Church Post Vatican II

Contribution of Christians to Education, Healthcare, Development irrespective of Caste or Creed

Where is Christ in these Institutions? Are these expressions of Christ’s presence in society? “Our Institutions Lost Charity in the 1970’s, Lost Service in the 1980’s and Mission itself in 1990’s ….. Anonymous “The Catholic Institutions reflect the Colonial Architecture but they are hiding the face of Christ” ......Blessed Paolo Manna INTROSPECT……

New Opportunity to Evangelize Church – Today in India Video Source: youtube.com

Significant increase in religious vocations Priests and Missionaries from India travel the World to announce the Gospel Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service's role in Faith Building and Formation of the Laity Proclamation Commission’s for the Active Proclamation of God’s Word using novel methods Missionary work in remote corners of the country “Your sons, O India, will be the ministers of your salvation” …..Pope Leo XIII Church – Today in India

Traditionally tolerant Hindus turn hostile toward peace loving India Christians How can a 2.3% Christian population threaten 85% Hindu population ? India a land of religious people and several ancient religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Sufi etc are religions born in India India is also home to Christianity, Islam, Parsi.. all of different ethnicities, languages and strong tradition that is deeply ingrained in the spirit and composition of the Indian Challenges.….

Existence of Caste System among Christians. (It is the grading of humans based on caste from High to Low, based on the degree of purity or impurity reputedly inherited by birth) Indian Christians treated as anti-national by the Majority Community and Government Atrocities against Christians Challenges.….

Motivating the Bishops Inspiring Growth of the PMS

Christians in Gujarat being Systematically targeted since 1990’s Burning and killing of Dr. Staines and his 2 sons Rape of Catholic Nuns in Jhabua (MP), Khandhamal (Orissa) Fr. Christudas paraded naked in MP Churches - vandalized, burnt down, desecrated in various parts of the country Inspiring Growth of the PMS“In the wake of Persecution”

Atrocities in Orissa - Dec 2007 to Aug 2008 33 Christians Killed Thousands of Christian Houses Burned Over 50,000 Christians run into the forests and make shift refugee camps Aug 24, 2008 saw a Catholic Nun in Kandhamal dragged and gang raped by Hindu extremists in the presence of police, while she pleaded for help. “Truly it was a rape of the Love, Compassion and Service, that she stands for” Inspiring Growth of the PMS“In the wake of Persecution”

Victims & refugees of Khandamal, in the forests insist on contributing towards Mission Sunday and collect INR. Rs. 30,000/-(US $750) Manipur : 1952 – 350 New Baptized Catholics : 2008 – 80,000 Catholics Kohima : 1950 – No Catholic Presence : 2008 – 56,000 Catholics (Catholic nun from Spain sent by the Governor of Assam to cater to sick. Her prayer , zeal and evangelizing effort, sees 56000 Catholics in Kohima today) Inspiring Growth of the PMS“In the wake of Persecution”

The 2nd Vatican Council spoke of the Church being “Missionary by it very Nature” Just as in the 1st Millennium, the cross was planted in the soil of Europe and the 2nd Millennium on that of Americas and Africa, WE PRAY that in the 3rd Millennium a great harvest of faith will be reaped in this vast and vital continent ASIA …… Pope John Paul II (Ecclesia in Asia) Church in India – Dedicated to the Mission of Christ

Video Source: youtube.com

By: Msgr. Siluvai National Director – PMS India