RSSDiocesan priests often emphasize their “priestly” and “kingly” roles but fail to stress their prophetic ministry, says the president of the Catholic Priests’ Conference of India (CPCI).
The conference, formed 22 years ago to unite diocesan priests of India and foster fraternity among them, has faced some rough times because of some bishops’ opposition. Many early members have left the group.
Nevertheless, Father Sebastian Poomattam says the dedication of some committed members has enabled the conference to grow in quality, if not in quantity. The 61-year-old priest was a CPCI member from its inception and served as its secretary for two three-year terms before being elected president in 2007.
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Father Sebastian Poomattam |
The priest of Raipur archdiocese in central India has been involved since 1994 in an “alternative” ministry of living and working with poor villagers including dalit, former “untouchables” in the traditional caste system, in the area around Sakti, Chhattisgarh state. A practicing lawyer, he also organizes rural groups, especially poor women, and takes up their causes in court.
In this interview, he shares his views on the CPCI’s role in organizing diocesan priests in India.
UCA News: Why was the CPCI formed?
FATHER SEBASTIAN POOMATTAM: It was a felt need at that time to have a fraternity for diocesan priests to look into their needs. Though canon law provides for an association of diocesan priests, we didn’t have one. The forum offers diocesan priests from all over India an opportunity to come together, share their problems and find new approaches to their ministry. We also felt the need to take up their issues, especially their problems with their bishops, medical care after their retirement and other matters.
In the history of the Church, the priestly and kingly roles of the priest are always stressed, while the prophetic role is neglected. We felt the need to stress the priests’ prophetic role in the present context, among these three aspects of Christ.
The CPCI is an association of diocesan priests with a prophetic thrust. It is to renew the Church to work for the poor. The Church has been institutionalized and has amassed wealth, a counter-witness to the Gospel. The poor are neglected. They are not even elected as parish council members.
Father Thomas Joseph of Mananthavady diocese (in Kerala, a southern state) convened the first meeting in 1987 in Hyderabad (capital of Andhra Pradesh, another southern state) with 24 priests.
Ours is not the first diocesan association in the world. Similar associations had already existed in other countries.
Why do many bishops view the CPCI as a group of disgruntled priests?
We wanted to get bishops’ approval, since the association is a Church body. When we wrote to the CBCI (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India), they asked for our bylaws. Then we had a rethink. Since canon law approves of such an association, we didn’t seek the bishops’ approval or submit our bylaws. So, many bishops took it negatively. Bishops think everything should be under their control. However, some bishops have accepted the CPCI.
Secondly, we took up some priests’ issues with their bishops. This gave the impression we are anti-bishop. For instance, five priests in Trichur diocese (Kerala) were suspended. We played a great role to get the problems settled amicably. In another case, our intervention led to Rome asking the bishop of Palai diocese (Kerala) to revoke a priest’s suspension.
Many priests joined the CPCI assuming it was a forum to resolve their problems with their bishops. That too gave the impression CPCI was against bishops. But we do not take up cases blindly. We always go through proper forums. The CPCI’s diocesan units always study the cases. We would not get involved if it is a personal problem.
Our conference is not meant for disgruntled priests. Three of its members have become bishops: Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao of Delhi was its vice president. Others were the late Bishop Leon Tharmaraj of Kottar and Bishop Francis Kalist of Meerut.
Many CPCI members now hold high positions in their dioceses. Father Joseph Appavoo, social service director of Ahmedabad diocese (western India), was nominated by his bishop for the diocesan priests’ Excellence Award for working for peace during sectarian violence in Gujarat.
Why did many leave the conference?
Some priests lost interest because many bishops are against it. Others joined to resolve problems with bishops. They left once their problems were solved. For example, in Kurnool diocese (Andhra Pradesh), 27 dalit diocesan priests demanded a dalit bishop. The CPCI helped settle the matter, but those priests left CPCI soon after.
What are CPCI’s other achievements?
CPCI has always stood for priests’ prophetic role in the Church. We have promoted “Alternative Ministries,” which means not following the traditional ways but taking new initiatives such as the education of slum children, values education and education at the grassroots level. Alternative Ministries involves living and identifying with people, and working with them without any foreign funds.
We made a charter of demands for diocesan priests, such as allowances and a medical fund for retired priests. The CPCI has taken initiatives to form reconciliation forums in conflicts between priests and bishops. It has proposed changes in priestly formation, which should help priests deal with the people’s social, economic and religious realities.
We have promoted the Church of the poor. In India, 90 percent of Catholics are either tribals or dalit. The Church hardly takes up their causes. Our own institutions deny them appointments. The Church in India should become a Church of the poor. That is the stand of Jesus.
Many diocesan priests do a lot of good work, but their activities are not highlighted. So last December, we honored 16 priests with Excellence Awards in Mumbai. That was the first time diocesan priests in India were honored nationally.
We also collaborate with priests’ associations in countries such as America, England and Ireland.
Two years ago, we started our website (www.cpcibangalore.org). Also, we have started a monthly newsletter. We have a priest as full-time office administrator. Our national office in Bangalore has facilities for seminars and accommodation for members. We manage the association with membership fees and donations.
Is there a conflict between CPCI and the Conference of Diocesan Priests of India (CDPI)?
There is no conflict. In fact we have promoted CDPI [since it was formed] eight years ago. All diocesan priests are its members. CDPI should take up many of their issues. Although bishops started it, many do not promote it. The bylaws have the same vision (as the CPCI). Objectives are the same.
CPCI wrote to the CBCI clergy commission for a conference of priests, open to all the diocesan priests. As a result, CDPI was formed by the Latin-rite bishops.
What are your future plans?
If things go well, we will continue to present the Excellence Awards to diocesan priests every year. We may even award laypersons and bishops. This requires a lot of money. We intend to organize orientation seminars for priests. Also, to collaborate with non-governmental organizations who have similar visions for a just social order.
What changes has the CPCI made in its workings?
We have new bylaws. We registered the association as a society (in 2007). In the new bylaws, importance is [not so much on] the diocesan units but the national and regional units. Provision for associate members is given. Even Religious priests can become associate members, but they have no right to vote. At the diocesan level, we can work along with the nuns and laity who share in our vision.
Earlier, we conducted a membership drive. We had then more than 900 members. In the new bylaws we have no interest to increase the number. Numbers are not that important. Qualitative involvement is important. We have now about 200 members.
What are your major problems?
Financial, to begin with. Also lack of interest among many priests about the prophetic ministry. In the Old Testament, prophets took a stand to give justice to the needy, orphan and widows. Jesus always stood for justice, but today the Church seems to compromise a lot.
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