Catholic Church Towards Humanity- A wake Up Call

 

I recently participated in a Consultation participated by a diverse group of 61 laity, religious and clergy gathered on Sunday 21^st September 2025 at Carmel Centre, Manikandam, Trichy  to launch a new collective dedicated to the profound renewal of the Church. The consultation, titled “Catholic Church Towards Humanity”, was convened to address critical internal challenges and to reorient the church towards its core mission of Service, Justice and inclusion.

Spurred by a shared concern for the future of their faith community, the participants – including veterans and youth from movements such as YCS, AICUF, and various lay associations – unanimously endorsed the formation of a Laity led movement.

CONFRONTING CRITICAL CHALLENGES

The day’s discussions, characterized by candor and a deep sense of responsibility, identified several urgent areas for transformation within the Church:

1.The Persistence of Caste: The Forum highlighted the painful reality of Caste-based discrimination within the Church as a fundamental contradiction of the Gospel, calling for its complete eradication.

2.Gender Injustice: participants powerfully articulated the systemic exclusion,harassment,and lack of meaningful decision – making roles for women, declaring that women’s participation is “a Right ,not a Gift”.

3. Democratic Deficit: A central theme was the need for greater transparency, accountability ,and shared responsibility between the Clergy and the Laity, moving towards a more democratic and collaborative Church Structure.

4.Economic and Educational Stagnation: Concerns were raised about the community’s declining representation in higher education, entrepreneurship, and economic development, with a call for the Church to prioritize these areas strategically.

5.Ecological Neglect: The Church was challenged to play a more proactive role in addressing the climate crisis and promoting environmental justice, starting from its educational institutions.

6.Pastoral Irrelevance: Speakers noted a growing disconnect between the Church’s Rituals and the daily struggles of its people, particularly the poor, leading to a crisis of faith and relevance.

A COLLECTIVE VISION FOR THE FUTURE:

In his opening address Mr.A.JohnPeter, the event coordinator, set the tone by stating that the current consultation was a crucial first step towards a Church that is inclusive, accountable and socially engaged. He identified the present –day Church as often being ”caste –ridden, commercialized and male –dominated”.

The forum does not seek to stand against the Church but to work from within for its renewal. Mr. JohnPeter further noted: “The soul of Society is more than the soul of the individual”, emphasizing that the Church’s mission must extend beyond its walls to serve all of humanity.

The WAY FORWARD: A TEN POINT ACTION PLAN:

1.Grassroots Launch: The Movement was officially launched with this first consultation on 21^st September 2025.

2.Leadership Structure:  A 14 member core committee was formed to lead the movement, with Mr. A.JohnPeter as its coordinator.

3.Strategic Planning: The committee’s immediate priority is to draft a comprehensive strategic plan, detailing the movement’s vision,goals,activities,and member responsibilities.

4.Inclusive Representation: The movement is committed to ensuring adequate representation of women and marginalized communities in its membership and leadership.

5.Laity – Centric Principle: All actions will be based on the core principle that the LAITY HOLDS A CENTRAL ROLE in the Church.

6.Evidence Based Advocacy: The Committee will ground its work with data, evidence, and facts to address needs effectively.

7.Structured Dialogue: The movement will initiate formal COMMUNICATION and  DIALOGUE with decision – makers at all levels of the Church hierarchy.

8.Women’s Caucus: A dedicated space will be created for women in the movement to convene and deliberate on the specific challenges they face.

9.Advocacy for participatory planning: The movement will urge all Church institutions(eg. Parishes, Commissions, etc)to create FIVE YEAR PLANS with the mandatory participation of laity, women, and marginalized representatives.

In the Valedictory Session, Fr.AloysiusIrudayam inspired the gathering, stating, ”It is our Movement and we need to own and protect it”, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the initiative.

Fr.K. AmirthaRaj offered words of encouragement, expressing his appreciation for this long-awaited initiative and the collective realization that the Church must evolve to truly serve its people.

This movement represents a hopeful and determined voice from the Laity, signaling a widespread desire for a Church that truly reflects the values of equality, dignity and service it proclaims.