An Ethical Imperative of Odisha Catholic Bishops’ Council (OCBC) with about 80 participants in Odisha gathered on April 4, 2018, in Xavier Management Institute, Bhubaneswar to discuss the challenges faced by Dalit Christians in the state. The objective of this seminar was to relook the discussed points on discriminations faced by Dalits in various spheres in their day-to-day lives especially within the church held in KJM, Sambalpur and prepare a strategic action plan to make Dalit Policy practical in Diocese level, Parish-level as well as at grassroots level in the state of Odisha.
As reported by mattersindia.com, Resource person Dr. A. Selvam in his session on CBCI Dalit Policy and its Objectives, remarked that “The CBCI policy for Dalit Empowerment strives to ensure that all sections of society equally feel the call to enjoy the love, mercy and compassion of the creator who has made all of us in His own image and likeness.” Msgr. John Barwa, the Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar urged that “Let us work jointly for the empowerment of Dalits and tribal in the state as the Christian minority is attacked, Mother Mary statue is beheaded and Church is vandalized in Rourkela recently.”
Dr. Vincent Monaharan, General Secretary of NDCW, New Delhi, drafting committee member, shared a series of recommendations that included practices of Untouchability, Discrimination and Exclusion be forthwith abolished, promotion and care of vocations to priesthood and religious life from the Dalit community, let there be Participative and Inclusive Administration and Transparency in Governance, That Liturgical and Para-liturgical Concerns of the Dalits be attended to, That special interest be taken in the Formation of Clergy and Religious, that Dalit Women and Children be accorded their due space, That Dalit Leaders be empowered to Strengthen People’s Movements.
Source: www.mattersindia.com
