For Christians, this week holds special significance as they commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus For Christians, this week holds special significance as they commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church in Meghalaya too joins in the observance of the Holy Week that instills compassion and sacrifice. Archbishop Dominic Jala in a recent interview with The Shillong Times shared his views on the challenges the Catholic Church is faced with. He also expressed the need to show compassion towards people who are marginalised and those in need of special care.
ST: What is the stand and views of the Catholic Church regarding the Supreme Court verdict on LGBTQ which says that consensual adult gay sex is not a crime?
Archbishop: We are clear about our attitude towards moral behaviour of people. As far the issue of gay is concerned, we respect the dignity of every person. They may have different orientations but we seek to integrate them into society.
In the Church, still we perceive it as against the will of God. Hence the moral issue is very much there though legally, it is not a crime. We see legal and moral aspects of the issue separately.
ST: Going beyond the verdict, will the Catholic Church allow same-sex marriage in the near future?
Archbishop: No.
ST: Any communication from the Vatican as to how the Catholic Church should deal with the Supreme Court verdict?
Archbishop: No.
ST: A few years ago the Pope was quoted as saying, “If someone is gay and searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Whether this is the mind of the Catholic Church?
Archbishop: Of course, we should have spirit of compassion.
ST: Following is the interview the Pope had given to an American Magazine — “A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: ‘Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person. Here we enter into the mystery of the human being.’
Does it subscribe to the views of the Catholic Church?
Archbishop: We do not condemn people who have different orientations.
ST: The rising trend of drug abuse is a social evil. Is the Catholic Church mere spectator to the menace? Is there anything reflected in the church homilies and what are the initiatives of the church to create awareness to help people, especially the faithful, to overcome the abuse?
Archbishop: We connect with young people to spread the message against drug abuse. Most of the time, the youths are unconscious about the ill effects. We do make people aware about the evil effects of drug abuse. Besides many young people are unemployed and there are limited avenues to find employment.
ST: Another cause for concern is alcoholism which ruined many families besides causing deaths of youngsters. Whether the church is not doing enough to control this?
Archbishop: At the village level, there are organisations which create awareness against alcoholism.
We support Alcoholics Anonymous and the message should be spread against alcoholism at all levels.
ST: There are many single mothers and their number is increasing. Has any study been done in this regard by the church to ascertain the cause and suggest remedial measures?
Archbishop: It is true that there are many single mothers. Desertions by husbands are a cause for concern. Through our social service organisations, we are reaching out. Counselling to mothers to rebuild marriages is also being carried out.
ST: There is a notion that institutional marriages, especially many church marriages, are not taking place though the trend is changing. In the absence of institutional marriages and lack of strict implementation of the State Marriage Act, there are broken families. What is the percentage of pre-marriage counselling and awareness programmes?
Archbishop: We have a Family Commission to reach out to parishes and help people prepare for marriages at the young age. Church marriages are increasing. State accepts the marriage registration in the church and we can file returns. There are no legal divorces in the church as there are only cases of some husbands just leaving their wives or the wives chasing away the husbands.
ST: The scandals related to the clergy elsewhere in the country were in the news recently. What are the deterrent measures adopted for the clergy in Meghalaya by the church?
Archbishop: Formation of priests is more important. The challenges have to be addressed early at the seminary level. We as clergy meet regularly and discuss the need to be faithful in the context of such scandals. Spiritual and psychological formation can meet the challenges.
ST: Normally, the church doesn’t get involved in politics. But don’t you feel that it is high time to speak out against corruption in the society especially committed by the political classes?
Archbishop: We do talk about probity in public life. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati recently highlighted ethics in public life. The church leaders in the North East have already spoken about honesty in public life and the elimination of corruption at all levels.
ST: There is loss of faith among people especially the youths in the system in the absence of honesty and accountability in all spheres of life. How can the church instill hope in a world where there is despair and disenchantment?
Archbishop: We are creating awareness to have a positive outlook. The public have to demand accountability if a public representative promotes corruption. We are part of the whole system and this has to be stopped.