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| Wednesday, 15 October 2003 |
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His Lordship Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando President, National Catechetical Commission in a special message for National Catechetical Sunday which fell on September 28 states: "When we consider the nature of Christianity and Catechetics (teaching of religion) and some of the challenges connected with religious freedom we presently hear about, it seems to me, that we are heading for a defining moment in the area of religious practice and interreligious harmony in our land. "Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has told us that we are to be his witnesses even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1.8). We have to 'preach the gospel to every creature' (Mk. 16:15). Jesus Christ is God. His word to us, his followers, is command. We obey Him and Him alone. "Nobody is competent to determine for us the parameters of our faith. Nobody is capable of defining for us the boundaries between 'teaching' and 'propagating' of our faith. As far as Christianity is concerned, proclaiming the faith (call it teaching, preaching, propagating or whatever) is part and parcel of our religion. We shall practise our faith whole and entire. Catechesis We believe that Catechesis both children's and adult is not merely a matter of teaching some abstract religious truths and moral norms. It is a whole way of life that is being imparted. They say "religion is caught, rather than taught". Among other matters we have to form our Christians to be true apostles who share their faith - the greatest gift they possess - with others. By a strange twist of irony recent developments and the efforts to restrain us have given us the signal that we had not been sufficiently obedient to the Lord's command to go and preach. A new rush of energy seems to have set in. In full obedience to the command of the Lord, and in conformity with human laws that would be morally binding to the extent that they are subject to the law of God, let us be resolved to be his faithful witnesses even to the ends of the earth. A democratic right We are also aware that Constitutions and Conventions of the great democracies of the western world do not explicitly speak of a right to propagate the faith. It is understood. That right is lustily accepted and vigorously practised. Politicians, traders and charlatans are all the time propagating their ideologies, trying to win over others. Porn masters and vendors of violence are propagating their wares over the media all the time without asking anyone's permission, and without being shackled by any Constitution. If so why fetter religion? (or, to be precise, why fetter some religions?) Should we be afraid to do what is right while others are not afraid to do what is wrong? We believe in a common sense and open minded reading of vital and hallowed documents that govern our rights and duties as citizens of this country. We firmly believe in the equality of all citizens of this land. From a historical point of view, if the disciples of the Enlightened One had not gone to other parts of the world, say to Japan, to China, and to Sri Lanka, in order to propagate the wonderful teachings of the Master, would not mankind have been the poorer for it? Similarly if the disciples of Jesu had not propagated the teachings of the Lord would not mankind have been the poorer for it? History bears witness to all this. We have noticed what some discerning people who have watched with concern some recent happenings, have been trying to say. Nearly half a century ago, foolishly we fanned the flames of ethnic conflict. We have paid dearly for it. If we are not careful now, we will soon be lighting the flames of religious conflict. Which is the political party or the government that dreams of holding the dubious honour of setting our country ablaze a second time? People are watching. Future history will not be kind to them". (Courtesy The Messenger) |
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