Dear Isaac,

Thank you for your comments and for raising these challenges. I agree that the Church is made up of mortals, and unfortunately, many of us, even after becoming priests and religious, still carry the baggage of caste and ethnic identity. One priest publicly challenged me, asking if I could overcome my caste mindset, to which I responded, “Why not?” He argued that caste is in our blood and cannot be changed.

Though there is a growing awareness among Dalits about this systemic sidelining and even oppression, there is also a ray of hope among both Dalit and non-Dalit Christians, with some positive changes occurring. The process could be swifter if concerted actions are taken and consistently followed up.

Yet Fr Jothi’s categorical statement “Caste discrimination WITHIN THE CHURCH is one of the most prominent issues. They often face discrimination in church activities, including being denied leadership roles, participation in religious ceremonies, and access to church resources” proves that the Indian Catholic Hierarchy is knowingly violating the Constitutional provision with impunity. Doesn’t it trumpet “all-inclusiveness from the pulpits and in all public forums?”

This is not the first time we have heard of caste-wise discrimination within the church. Reportedly this discrimination is prevalent in the South particularly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. What is CBCI and CCBI’s stand on this particularly in view of “Journeying towards a Synodal Church: Mission 2033?” Fr Jothi’s charge of discrimination within the church shows how hollow the Indian Synodal Church is!

In fact Madras High Court on 25 June 2021 issued notices to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, the 18 bishops in Tamil Nadu, ministries under federal and Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments regarding caste based discrimination within the Church in India. The Court had set July 8 as the deadline for India’s Catholic bishops and federal and state governments to respond in this matter (Source: Matters India report dated 30 June 2021).

It’s heartening to learn that Fr Nithiya Sagayam is very well-qualified for his new position of Secretary of the Commission of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). I am sure he will tend to his flock with great empathy. At the same time, I hope he will take care of all marginalized Christians in his jurisdiction, even if they are not SCs or STs. For, first and foremost he is a priest for all and is expected to rise above all discrimination, unlike his predecessors as the Madras High Court summons reveal.