The situation of the Church, or even of the congregation, back in the country is pretty delicate. While most of the country, especially young people, are at the forefront of the protests against the NRC and CAA, the Church and particularly, we Salesians are missing!
One of the many reasons, we find ourselves conspicuous by our absence, is because we have 'institutionalised ourselves'. Not only have we institutions that need 'protection' our whole mentality has become very institutional. We would not want to risk. We certainly do not want to stick out our head. This could be said of most of the citizens. But when very many citizens from different walks of life are coming together to protest and make a stand against what is seen as unjust, unconstitutional (atleast for now - you never know, because the next move is going to be changing the very constitution itself!), and undemocratic, why hesitate?
While our institutions are a great asset, it is times as these that force us to question and see if they have also become our greatest liabilities? The basic question we need to ask ourselves, Christians and Salesians, what is right and are we taking a stand? And if we know what is right, but not taking a stand for what is right, then we have compromised our basic values. And if we still do not know what is right, we have adopted the ostrich mentality. And if we are unsure, it is time we sort ourselves out, rather than continue being ignorant. For tomorrow will not be very kind to us.
And I ask myself, what do I fear, to get involved with the national protests? As a Salesian, I fear I represent an organisation, that can tomorrow be pulled up. But as a citizen, do I not have certain duties? If not mobilise others, what's preventing me from joining others in voicing my protest against the subtle demographic and religious politics being played out? Does the Strenna of the year, "Good Christians, and upright citizens", not translate into this?
One of the many reasons, we find ourselves conspicuous by our absence, is because we have 'institutionalised ourselves'. Not only have we institutions that need 'protection' our whole mentality has become very institutional. We would not want to risk. We certainly do not want to stick out our head. This could be said of most of the citizens. But when very many citizens from different walks of life are coming together to protest and make a stand against what is seen as unjust, unconstitutional (atleast for now - you never know, because the next move is going to be changing the very constitution itself!), and undemocratic, why hesitate?
While our institutions are a great asset, it is times as these that force us to question and see if they have also become our greatest liabilities? The basic question we need to ask ourselves, Christians and Salesians, what is right and are we taking a stand? And if we know what is right, but not taking a stand for what is right, then we have compromised our basic values. And if we still do not know what is right, we have adopted the ostrich mentality. And if we are unsure, it is time we sort ourselves out, rather than continue being ignorant. For tomorrow will not be very kind to us.
And I ask myself, what do I fear, to get involved with the national protests? As a Salesian, I fear I represent an organisation, that can tomorrow be pulled up. But as a citizen, do I not have certain duties? If not mobilise others, what's preventing me from joining others in voicing my protest against the subtle demographic and religious politics being played out? Does the Strenna of the year, "Good Christians, and upright citizens", not translate into this?
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