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Jesuits - Assistancy
SAPI National Workshop
SAPI (South Asian Peoples’ Initiatives) organized a national
workshop on 17-19 Aug ‘12 on “Ecology from the Perspective of
the Marginalized—Dalits, Adivasis and other Backward Classes.”
There were 79 participants from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat,
Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
The main aim was to make SAPI an unfettered body that could
provide a secular platform for lay leaders. Amrit Sangma, National
SAPI Coordinator, Sannybhai, Secretary of JESA, and Thomas
Barla, Central Zone SAPI Coordinator, were much involved in
the planning, dynamics, and vital inputs required for a fruitful
workshop.
After paying tributes to Adivasi martyrs and leaders, the
workshop was formally inaugurated by Ms. Dr. Shanti Xalxo, Tribal
Department, Ranchi University. In her inaugural address she said
that the Centre and State Government’s developmental projects
for tribals were poorly designed, and made without consultations.
Robert and his team from Tarumitra, Patna, made everybody
aware about the wealth of creation and our duty to safeguard
it, and the resultant awareness only made more horrifying what
activists reported about the degradation of nature in their areas of
Kudankulam, Hazaribagh, Chaibasa and Nagri. The suggestions
that emerged from group discussions were: (i) need for an accurate
data bank to fight against unjust structures, (ii) research and
documentation on the various resistance movements for effective
solidarity actions, (iii) civil, social, and political awareness of the
marginalized for more empowered action by them, (iv) create
awareness so that the masses are involved in all social, political,
and ecological concerns.
A few practical suggestions to make ecology our way of life
were shared: share knowledge about the environment, locally and
nationally - organize tree plantings and foster the growth of herbal
medical plants - stop illegal cutting or burning of trees - save
electricity by switching off lights when not needed, and by use of
LED, CFL, and solar bulbs - prefer public to private transport - use
plastic free bags and store waste in pits - use as garden the space
around the house or on the terrace - avoid polluting the rivers and
seas, and control indiscriminate fishing etc.
Just before the Workshop concluded, the participants
discussed and agreed on these: Who could take part in SAPI
meetings? Persons from marginalized groups and those who
work for the cause of such groups. Could some professionals
like Lawyers, Journalists, MBAs, Human Rights Activists, retired
Government Officials etc. be members of SAPI and take part in
these meetings? Decidedly yes, since these people have much
background knowledge and the skills to get things done. What
steps can be taken for the growth of SAPI as an independent
peoples’ movement? Networks at various levels, from the village
panchayat to the State level - a national structure with advisory
committees at the above levels - National and State Coordinators
and Coordination Committees. - Stanny Jebamalai, SJ
Juniorate staff meet
The 2012 meeting for the staff of the Juniorates in the
Assistancy was held on 17 - 21 Sept ‘12, at Vidyaniketan, the South
Indian Common Juniorate [SICJ], Thumba, Trivandrum. It brought
together 12 Provinces and 6 Juniorates. The ADF, Fr Gratian Carlo,
was present throughout.
Fr Devadoss Mudiappasamy (MDU), a veteran of International
Jesuit Refugee Service, was the resource person on the first day.
The topic for discussion was ‘Formation for Global Mission’. He
reflected upon the universal mission of the Society and the emerging
world scenario. In the Society province borders are becoming
faint, Fr Deva said. Assistancies are getting amalgamated into
Conferences. Young men will continue to join provinces, but with
the understanding they need to be prepared to go beyond borders.
They should have more languages in their travel bags. They should
be able to relish different cuisines – different cultures. The North
is yielding and the South is rising – already close to 70% of Jesuit
novices are in the South. Fr Deva was informative and inspiring.
Fr Gracian, ready with data and Ignatian insights at his fingertips,
supplemented the inputs of Deva.
On the subsequent three and half days we analyzed
threadbare the Juniorate English syllabus, following the guidelines
given by Fr Peter Francis in our last meeting in Kolkata. With
our global mission there is no getting away from speaking and
writing English well. The accent: British, US, Australian, Indian!
In this insistence on English, some Juniorates make no room for
the mother tongues. Some have to teach also Hindi, given the
fact that the mother tongues of their Juniors are as many as the
languages of India! Should the lucky SICJ include a little Hindi in
the syllabus? If all Juniorates teach some Spanish, it would be a
wise investment. We can’t forget the fork and the spoon, and social
and table etiquettes!
Kerala’s sobriquet, ‘God’s Own Country’¸ is not for nothing,
non-Malayalees among us felt as we moved around and visited
the sunset-gilded Kovalam beach. And the Kerala Province hosted
the meeting with a matching hospitality.
The SICJ is next-door to the ISRO where India’s rockets
are made. We visited the place. There stands the former St Mary
Magdalena church, now ISRO’s museum. As we stepped into it,
the guide became eloquent: India’s first rocket was launched from
the very floor you are now standing on – thanks to the gracious
generosity of the Catholic Church. Some of us thought: The men
who are now standing here are in the business of launching a new
breed of Christ’s universal apostles!.
- Christopher Xavier, SJ
JIVAN: News and Views of Jesuits in India NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 10