As much as we look for similarities with the Vatican, the fact is we do not have a lot in common with the Catholic Church. They do not believe in the Jain principle of Anekantvad which allows for multiplicity of ways to God. The Vatican ‘tolerates’ other faiths in the 21st. Century but they firmly believe in Christ as the only saviour. The Catholic Church does not believe in Ahimsa as we do. They have no concept of compassion to animals as far as their diet is concerned. Lastly their mission for India is to convert all Indians to Christianity. Millions of dollars pour into India for conversion work.
A group called Jaago Jesus trains young people to become missionaries in India. Another group says, ‘Lack of Gospel’ is India’s misfortune. There are 20 million Christians in India. They are the second largest land owners in India, surpassing the Muslim Waqf board. They own a total of 17.29 Crore acres of land in India.
At a colloquium held May 2024 in Bangalore, southern India, Father Theodore Mascarenhas, who heads the Asia Desk at the Pontifical Council for Culture, offered this view. “Many priests and religious leaders have conveniently forgotten their basic missionary vocation,” the Vatican-based priest said. Several Catholic missionaries have no time for missionary work, he said, because they get so “immersed” in establishing schools, colleges, hospitals and “business complexes,” and buildings that are let out to shops and offices.
St John’s Regional Seminary, India.
This organisation has the following to say:
Today, the Church is in need of dedicated missionaries who are willing to serve anywhere in the world, remembering the purpose of the coming of Christ as a servant: to serve but not to be served. Based on this, we form our students to be true missionaries of Christ.
India is a multi-religious and multi-cultural country with only 2.5% of the population identifying as Christians. The faithful have become more prayerful and God-fearing. A true pastor is very much needed to nurture them and lead them to God.
So this is the clear aim of the Catholic Church. Yet Jains and Hindus eagerly seek the audience of the Pope and rush to Rome. Why? Do they ever offer to come to a Jain or Hindu Mandir?
This is the same Church that wiped out the original people of South America. Their books were burnt, their civilisation destroyed. In Goa under Portuguese Catholic occupation the Hindus were persecuted. They destroyed the original religions of Africa. Yet we rush to shake the hand of the Pope. Why?
Nitin Mehta
27 November 2024
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