Dear NYer,
Sorry for this posting but I wanted to respond to one of your queries so here goes. You asked and I quote "Other than posting information to a blog, what actions are being taken locally to address these happenings in India? Is there an organized group to monitor and report the activities to Rome?
Virtually nothing is being done to address this paganism in India as Orthodox Catholics are a negligible minority in the Catholic Community and more so in the Archdiocese of Bombay. There are no apologetic or orthodox catholic groups in Bombay, India like there are in the United States or in Europe like Opus Dei, E.W.T.N., Scott Hahn, Dave Armstrong Etc.
Additionally, there are virtually no Orthodox Catholic Religious Orders in Bombay or in any part of India which can take up all these issues as Inculturation, and Paganism is the order of the day in all religious orders and specially this stupid "Inter-Religious Dialogue" with Hindus and Moslems which is getting the Catholic Church no where at all.
I have found in India that only members of India's Tribal Groups in North India, Central India, Eastern India and North-West India are open to the Gospel and to the message of Jesus Christ.
Having discerned a vocation at the age of 18 and later at 21 with the Discalced Carmelite Friars in Goa and with the Redemptorists in Bombay, I can clearly say that most Religious Orders in India do not provide a spiritual home for an "Orthodox Catholic Man" who wishes to serve the Lord in religious life.
I know a catholic man from Bombay who is now serving as a priest in Rome, he was initially at the Diocesan Seminary on the outskirts of Bombay called "Saint Pius College" Goregaon but he found that the Seminary Professors were quite liberal and teaching a lot of pagan and non- christian spirituality and so he left and was accepted at a seminary on the outskirts of rome where he is quite happy now as a priest.
Finally, I am quite happy to know that you were accepted at a Maronite Catholic Church. I have a keen interest in the Maronite Catholic Church and its History and Liturgy as well as my parents have visited Lebanon and Beirut many many years ago and the Maronites as a community have always fascinated me.
In Jesus and Mary,
P.S.- By the way, a number of folks in Bombay (liberal and orthodox) think i am luny because they cannot understand why a catholic guy in his 30's should be interested in what is happening to the Church here. Most Catholics in Bombay I have found are quite indifferent to this nonsense which is unfolding in the Church.
They have this attitude that if the Priests are for it and do not have a problem with it why should I care? Many feel I should have a girlfriend, get married as well as get on with life, have a family, and get out of the country as I must say this quite frankly that Bombay and India is no place for a young catholic man or woman in their 20's or 30's -- there is literally nothing for them here.
Not even Older Catholic Folks are remotely interested in what is happening to the Church and the direction it is taking in the 21st Century. I guess only your prayers and those at the Forum will be of any use. Most Catholic Folks think it is useless going against the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy as they never listen to us.
That is precisely why a large number of members of my community(Goan Indian Catholics) have been immigrating in significant numbers to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as we face tremendous discrmination in jobs and education.
Thank you for the response to my original questions. They are similar to the ones we find here and in other parts of the world. You are NOT alone :-)!
They have this attitude that if the Priests are for it and do not have a problem with it why should I care?
Yes ... after conquering one liturgical abuse at my former parish, I tried to muster some support from other parishioners. To do so entailed 'educating' them in the General Instructions of the Roman Missal (GIRM). Their response? "Who cares? We like things the way they are." Since the Mass they attended was not in compliance with the GIRM, then they were not receiving the full graces. You will find this link to be informative and helpful in your struggle.
Is Your Mass Valid? Liturgical Abuse .
I have a keen interest in the Maronite Catholic Church and its History and Liturgy as well as my parents have visited Lebanon and Beirut many many years ago and the Maronites as a community have always fascinated me.
The Maronite Church is the second largest Eastern Catholic Church, followed by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of India. I am neither Lebanese, nor Maronite but found their liturgy to be filled with great reverence.
Have you ever attended any of their services? Here are some pictures from a service at St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church in Bronx, NY.
