74th Independence Day: The Role of Catholic Church in Shaping Tomorrow’s India

As we keep 74^th Independence day our nation India amidst covid 19 pandemic, economic crisis and hate politics, it is good to reflect on the role and responsibility that the catholic church in India has. Fifteen years ago there was a man going around India addressing students and young people that India would become superpower in 2020. The man who gave this hope and inspiration is no more. But, the audience of his address are still living at different parts of India holding different positions such as officers, workers, business men, family men and so on. The question is; does India become superpower?

The contribution of catholic church toward the growth and development of our country especially after the independence is enormous and commendable. The catholic educational institutions, health care services and social works have alleviated the poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy considerably. The catholic church continues to contribute toward the welfare of our nation through its mission in these sectors especially with the help of religious. But, do the Catholic Church and religious congregations have same freedom of 1947 to continue to render these services to the citizens of India today?

All the good works of the catholic church have been blocked consistently by the evil leadership in our country. The good that the catholic church intends to do are suspected as evils to the society. The catholic church, its ministers and religious have provided good education, health care facilities and honest services to build great India. The thorns that grow along the wheat will be destroyed at the time of harvest. But in the present situation the thorns are chocking too heavily that not even a single grain of wheat will be left for harvest. Thus, the catholic church has to root out the evils that have sprouted along its good works. How can the catholic church root out these evils?

Love is the formula as taught by our Master Jesus, to transform the society. The catholic church is not supposed to root out evils but to transform them into good. To transform the evil leadership in our country the catholic church needs to start its mission that focus on creating good and able leaders for our country. It is also high time for the Catholics in India to lessen encouraging their children to become doctors, engineers and other office oriented works and challenge them with the dream of becoming leaders of tomorrow. Let our catholic children become leaders of our country who would transform the society with their honesty and truthful work. Are we ready to do this mission?

As a catholic in India it is my hope that tomorrow our children will make India superpower not with arms but with norms that ensures freedom and responsibility.

Remember: the man who dreamt of making India superpower in 2020 is a product of our catholic educational institution.