While appreciating the many positive trends in recent years, we cannot deny the fact there is an erosion of credibility in the way religious life is lived in India. The absence of a vibrant spirituality can be sensed very often. Hard options remain often on paper. The vast majority are cocooned in comfort zones of security. This has resulted in a lot of cynicism and disillusionment, both within and outside religious life.
Here are some of the main challenges religious in India need to address:
1. Challenges in Formation: The sudden decline in the number of entrants into Congregations affects the model of formation. There is also confusion about the theology of religious life, forms of prayer, types of ministry, life style, dress and spirituality. Finding a suitable model of formation is a big challenge.
2. Cultural Alienation: There can be no authentic Christian consecrated life without its being rooted in the Gospel and in the culture of the people. India is known for its wealth of spiritual experiences. It developed a style of consecrated life many centuries before Christianity. Yet, it is unfortunate that Christian consecrated life here has largely ignored the religious traditions of this country.
3. Piety vs Spirituality: I have no doubt that there is a lot of piety among us, but I am not sure whether there is enough spirituality. We are multiplying novenas, vocal prayers and the hours of adoration. But a spiritual person is one who sincerely tries to live by the values of the Gospel. We cannot claim to be truly spiritual if the fruits of the Spirit are not visible in one’s life (Gal.5:22-23).
4. Traditional ministries: Once upon a time we were the owners of schools and hospitals. We were seen as missionaries, and not just professionals. But today, in some congregations, the institutions have become money-making rackets. As the needs of the people are changing, our responses should also change. In a number of cases, excessive institutionalization seems to have sucked out the spirit and vitality of religious life. The Religious are seldom seen as prophets on the cutting edge.Around the world, there are millions of people working for justice. Are we in their number? Are we giving a lead in this area? Are we joining hands with them?
5. Commitment: People expect us to be more than efficient administrators or competent professionals. They want humble, happy and spiritual religious rather than just achievers, specialists or professionals. Our life, by and large, is no longer attractive to our young people. Today we see extremely committed and extremely generous lay people around us. Living in the world, we are asked to make a real difference in the lives of people we deal with. That is a real challenge for consecrated life.
6. Multi-culturality: A major challenge posed by multi-culturality within religious communities is the question of “unity in diversity” and appreciation and lived acceptance of its consequences.
In international religious congregations, the insight began to develop that there was not just one way of being a religious and that the charism of the founder/foundress could find different expressions among the various cultures of different peoples. A genuine intercultural community is usually characterized by three things, namely: the recognition of other cultures, respect for cultural difference and the promotion of a healthy interaction among cultures.
7. Multi-religious context: Dialogue is a key issue in Asia. The vast majority of the religious work with people of religions other than Christianity. Hence, the possibilities for inter-religious dialogue through “dialogue of life” and “dialogue of action” are immense.
8. Partnership in Mission with the Laity: Certainly, one of the characteristics of today’s Church is the emergence of an educated, highly motivated and active laity. Many lay persons are very committed, knowledgeable and generous. They are not there just to pay, pray and work. They should be consulted and included in the decision-making process. There are now “new lay movements” through which lay people take it upon themselves to evangelize culture and transform society. We need to foster forms of collaboration and partnership with the laity.
9. Technology and the Media seem to affect the life of religious congregations very seriously today. Religion is drowned under science, and relationships under technology. Gadgets are given to reduce our work load. Between completely rejecting and totally accepting their use, there lies a third way of discernment. Technology is a boon, because it has made the written word far more accessible and economical as it does away with middlemen and the use of paper, etc. Evidently, some sort of education in their use is a must.
10. The final challenge that imposes itself on us at the beginning of this century is a more authentic, a more credible, and a more “readable” witnessing.A presence that is holy and authentic is the key. Religious members are shocked by the personal scandals among those in high positions: money handling, connection to their family members, not being available to the needs of the members, not being accountable, justifying their life-style and values, taking undue advantage of their position and freedom. While such behavior is by no means true of the majority, the issue needs to be faced and addressed. We should find new ways of leading others like Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In a word, witnessing is a key to our being religious in India today.
Questions for Reflection and Sharing:
- Do you agree that these ten challenges are real?
- According to you, are the weaknesses pointed out found: (a) in almost all religious orders; (b) in many; (c) in some; (d) in a few; (e) in very few cases?
- Which of these ten challenges do you see as most pressing in your religious order today?
- If you were to start addressing the most urgent challenge, where would you start? How would you start?
- Do you know persons or congregations that have faced and solved some of these challenges in an inspiring way? Who? Which group? How did they tackle the challenge?
- According to you, are senior members of religious orders inspiring for the younger ones: (a) most are; (b) some are; (c) a few are; (d) very few are.
- How do most lay Catholics and others we deal with regularly (colleagues, employees, parents, pupils, patients, …) find us? (a) inspired by most of us; (b) inspired by some of us; (c) inspired by a few of us: (d) put off by some of us; (e) put off by many of us.
- Does living and dealing with us help our colleagues, employees, pupils and others to deepen their closeness to God, and to become better human beings?(a) Yes, very much; (b) Yes, in some cases; (c) Yes, but rarely; (d) mostly no.
- Are educated young Catholics whom you know attracted to religious life? Why or why not?
- If a gifted young relative or friend were to seek vocational guidance from you, which state of life would you recommend to them? Why
– Sr. Inigo SSA was Superior General of her congregation for two terms, and also secretary of the Women’s Section of National CRI. She represented the religious of South Asia at the Synod of Bishops on Religious Life, and is a sought-after resource person for Chapters and seminars. She spent years ministering to prisoner in Tihar Jail, Delhi.
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