Last year, Mr Michel from Norfolk, Virginia, United States commented on my blog post ( http://bit.ly/vSdMP) that Catholicism is fighting a loosing battle against other Protestant/Anglican churches, because of it stand on many issues including Same-Sex marriage etc. I told him that I was more optimistic than him on Catholicism's future. After one year here we stand.
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Senior Anglican bishop reveals he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism
The Rt Rev John Hind, the Bishop of Chichester, has announced he is considering becoming a Roman Catholic in a move that could spark an exodus of clergy.
Reported by: The Telegraph
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Why there's no Pic of G20 Leaders and I Back It!
Has anyone seen a pic of all G20 (Pittsburgh) leaders' t'gthr? I searched for 2 days. I checked AP images. http://bit.ly/14Rvts. Not there!
If is not available, it is v good PR effrt - to make the transition from 8 to 20 smooth. I personally back it! It should b non threatening.
I posted it in facebook and Ben Johnson asked me: "Bro whats this all about???????????"
HERE is my reply
Well.. The world economic body is permanently changed from G8 to G20. The world is no more going to be uni-polar (pan American) or West centric. Countries like, India, China, Brazil r coming to the center stage. More cooperation and more distributed responsibilities. But the transition is always difficult, esp for those who were in the driving seat (read West). So I think, G20 is taking a cautious approach by keeping it on a low key, for now, which is good (Catholic Church made a big mistake in the past in managing the goodwill on Vat II council by going very up beat abt it and not keeping it low key during the transition period). Those who learn from the history does not repeat it. I am glad the new members of G20 got that wisdom (and of course the present members to accept it).
But I got the pic of all wifes of G20 leaders.. Here it is
If is not available, it is v good PR effrt - to make the transition from 8 to 20 smooth. I personally back it! It should b non threatening.
I posted it in facebook and Ben Johnson asked me: "Bro whats this all about???????????"
HERE is my reply
Well.. The world economic body is permanently changed from G8 to G20. The world is no more going to be uni-polar (pan American) or West centric. Countries like, India, China, Brazil r coming to the center stage. More cooperation and more distributed responsibilities. But the transition is always difficult, esp for those who were in the driving seat (read West). So I think, G20 is taking a cautious approach by keeping it on a low key, for now, which is good (Catholic Church made a big mistake in the past in managing the goodwill on Vat II council by going very up beat abt it and not keeping it low key during the transition period). Those who learn from the history does not repeat it. I am glad the new members of G20 got that wisdom (and of course the present members to accept it).
But I got the pic of all wifes of G20 leaders.. Here it is
Friday, September 25, 2009
Attacks on Indians have had a profound effect on Australia's image
This was reported in THE AGE. Good on them. http://bit.ly/w1FGC
It is the Australian media (and Police) who are primarily responsible for this situation. Here is my response to one of the comments to this article.
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@ Kevin of Melb who commented: "Some balance needs to be bought into this one-way view. May I suggest that we start showing, on our tv channels, the assults on Australians and other foreigners that occur in Indian on any given day."
Yes, I think there's a need for balance. Let the Australian media pick up the cause of racial bashing of Indians in Australia. As an Indian I am very much sure that Australian media underreport any violence on Indians in Aus. There seems to be strong bias - to cover up things from the Aus media - to the benefit of white Australians. This is condemnable, if not racial! (Having said that, The Age and Fairfax media are bit of an exception here. This very article is a sign of that, But the rest are hopeless and divisive).
It is the Australian media (and Police) who are primarily responsible for this situation. Here is my response to one of the comments to this article.
----------------------------------
@ Kevin of Melb who commented: "Some balance needs to be bought into this one-way view. May I suggest that we start showing, on our tv channels, the assults on Australians and other foreigners that occur in Indian on any given day."
Yes, I think there's a need for balance. Let the Australian media pick up the cause of racial bashing of Indians in Australia. As an Indian I am very much sure that Australian media underreport any violence on Indians in Aus. There seems to be strong bias - to cover up things from the Aus media - to the benefit of white Australians. This is condemnable, if not racial! (Having said that, The Age and Fairfax media are bit of an exception here. This very article is a sign of that, But the rest are hopeless and divisive).
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Australia put break on Catholic Church!
Here is the Breaking News!
Australian government has updated the immigration rules to bring priests to Australia. Now the process to get a religious visa to take up to 36 weeks or sometimes more before the Department of Immigration advises them of their decision (this is after launching the whole documents, which usually takes an year's work!). And also all temporary visa applicants must participate in an English test and attain a certain level of competency in English. (Religious workers were exempted in the past)
Let me put my reflections.
It seems that there were some serious issues brewing between Aust govt and Catholic Church migration agency (I sensed it earlier, because I am in Canberra). Basically now the govt has stripped Catholic agency of its right to bring priest in its own right. They are introducing new barriers - IELTS (English Test) and a wait period of up to 36 weeks!
There are people who do not support the very idea of bringing priests from outside Australia. Their intention is to push Catholic Church to married clergy/female clergy by starving Church of celibate/male priests. I think, the push by the left (present federal govt who are supported by greens) and the atheists are bearing fruits and changing the clergy immigration landscape of Australia. Personally I am open to the question of married/female clergy. But I cannot accept anybody to starve Church to make decisions in their favor. God help Australia.
Australian government has updated the immigration rules to bring priests to Australia. Now the process to get a religious visa to take up to 36 weeks or sometimes more before the Department of Immigration advises them of their decision (this is after launching the whole documents, which usually takes an year's work!). And also all temporary visa applicants must participate in an English test and attain a certain level of competency in English. (Religious workers were exempted in the past)
Let me put my reflections.
It seems that there were some serious issues brewing between Aust govt and Catholic Church migration agency (I sensed it earlier, because I am in Canberra). Basically now the govt has stripped Catholic agency of its right to bring priest in its own right. They are introducing new barriers - IELTS (English Test) and a wait period of up to 36 weeks!
There are people who do not support the very idea of bringing priests from outside Australia. Their intention is to push Catholic Church to married clergy/female clergy by starving Church of celibate/male priests. I think, the push by the left (present federal govt who are supported by greens) and the atheists are bearing fruits and changing the clergy immigration landscape of Australia. Personally I am open to the question of married/female clergy. But I cannot accept anybody to starve Church to make decisions in their favor. God help Australia.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
An Open letter to all "Jesus Youths"
This is my reply to a discussion at JYMACE (Jesus Youth, MA College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, Kochi, India) yahoogroups. I attach my reply first and the mail of Chanchal which provoked it. It is basically a general question and an open challenge to all Jesus Youths.
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My Response
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Hi All,
I thought, I should reply to this mail (now bit old though).
What I havent seen in JY (better call Jesus Youth, according to Chanchal) regarding "long term commitment" is that Jesus Youths opting for the real "long term commitment" - ie, vocation into priestly and religious life. I worked with Jesus Youth after dedicating myself to Jesus through CMI congregation in the first place. I have seen so many zealous JYs after that (my friends and colleagues). But I havent seen any of them taking the real challenge of committing themselves through priestly or religious vocation. I always thought why? JY is supposed to be the biggest Catholic movement in Kerala/India. But how much/many JY has contributed to the ministerial work of Church? A BIG question to be answered? At some point I doubted JY has become a distraction to the vocations to ministerial priesthood and religious life, by over-emphasizing laity role in evangelization and even sometimes keeping a distance from the local Church authorities for the "development" of Jesus Youth itself. From my experience, I know one thing, there is no substitute for ministerial priesthood and religious life in the life of the Church. But I dont know whether I am fully right/wrong regarding my comments on JY (I know JY is now starting a new priestly ministry and hope this new emphasis on "long-term commitment" is not simply directed at it :). An introspection is always good.
I would encourage all young men and women in Jesus Youth to look into this challenge. If you really feel that you are called to a life-long and complete commitment, please seriously consider the prospect of a religious or priestly life in a religious congregation, in a diocese or in a society. Church needs more priests and nuns. Jesus needs more priests and nuns. God bless.
With love,
Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI
------------------------------
Chanchal's mail
------------------------------
Hello George,
Let me be straight. So you have got new insights about Catholic Faith and Life time commitment etc.I have a friend who was a fulltimer some years back in the north east of India, who now believes that what he did then was just an act of impulse. He lives in his own ways now. As you are aware of, this is not a single case, you can find a very large number of such cases.
Are you sure you will not end up like that, when this feel good feeling is all over?
A qn to all: How can we ensure each of us will not end up like that. Just for thought..
Chanchal
------------------------------
My Response
------------------------------
Hi All,
I thought, I should reply to this mail (now bit old though).
What I havent seen in JY (better call Jesus Youth, according to Chanchal) regarding "long term commitment" is that Jesus Youths opting for the real "long term commitment" - ie, vocation into priestly and religious life. I worked with Jesus Youth after dedicating myself to Jesus through CMI congregation in the first place. I have seen so many zealous JYs after that (my friends and colleagues). But I havent seen any of them taking the real challenge of committing themselves through priestly or religious vocation. I always thought why? JY is supposed to be the biggest Catholic movement in Kerala/India. But how much/many JY has contributed to the ministerial work of Church? A BIG question to be answered? At some point I doubted JY has become a distraction to the vocations to ministerial priesthood and religious life, by over-emphasizing laity role in evangelization and even sometimes keeping a distance from the local Church authorities for the "development" of Jesus Youth itself. From my experience, I know one thing, there is no substitute for ministerial priesthood and religious life in the life of the Church. But I dont know whether I am fully right/wrong regarding my comments on JY (I know JY is now starting a new priestly ministry and hope this new emphasis on "long-term commitment" is not simply directed at it :). An introspection is always good.
I would encourage all young men and women in Jesus Youth to look into this challenge. If you really feel that you are called to a life-long and complete commitment, please seriously consider the prospect of a religious or priestly life in a religious congregation, in a diocese or in a society. Church needs more priests and nuns. Jesus needs more priests and nuns. God bless.
With love,
Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI
------------------------------
Chanchal's mail
------------------------------
Hello George,
Let me be straight. So you have got new insights about Catholic Faith and Life time commitment etc.I have a friend who was a fulltimer some years back in the north east of India, who now believes that what he did then was just an act of impulse. He lives in his own ways now. As you are aware of, this is not a single case, you can find a very large number of such cases.
Are you sure you will not end up like that, when this feel good feeling is all over?
A qn to all: How can we ensure each of us will not end up like that. Just for thought..
Chanchal
Sunday, August 16, 2009
US (and the West) has to learn how to deal sensibly with East and Islam
SRK was detained and questioned in US airport. http://bit.ly/11ftFP US is loosing all the goodwill of Muslims in India and over the world. Pity.
The so called security procedure of US is going overboard. Its all about a balance between professionalism and sensitivity to Eastern cultural values, I guess. If this was happened to politicians or celebrities in the West, it would not have created so much fuss. On the other had, the public would have enjoyed it. But in the East respect for the "Elderly, religious, rich and influential" people are paramount. Irreverence to them is less tolerated, even in the public level. The West simply ignored that in the past, coz, the East was subjugated for economic and political reasons. But as the East gets more power and influence, they will start to assert their values. Now, its the time the West start to listen to it and adjust.
The so called security procedure of US is going overboard. Its all about a balance between professionalism and sensitivity to Eastern cultural values, I guess. If this was happened to politicians or celebrities in the West, it would not have created so much fuss. On the other had, the public would have enjoyed it. But in the East respect for the "Elderly, religious, rich and influential" people are paramount. Irreverence to them is less tolerated, even in the public level. The West simply ignored that in the past, coz, the East was subjugated for economic and political reasons. But as the East gets more power and influence, they will start to assert their values. Now, its the time the West start to listen to it and adjust.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Split India, China strategic reporter says! My response is cautious
http://bit.ly/cD4nn
I'm sure, China will play games.. because they fear US has included India to create a circle of enemies around China (India, Japan, Aus, etc). That will annoy China. So they try to create a small circle around India - Pak, SL, Bangla, Nepal, etc and try splitting us).
We need US and China. Even if we ally with US, we have to make it clear to China that we are not their enemies. Then only they wont worry much abt India and India n China will prosper together.
That's the way to go..
I'm sure, China will play games.. because they fear US has included India to create a circle of enemies around China (India, Japan, Aus, etc). That will annoy China. So they try to create a small circle around India - Pak, SL, Bangla, Nepal, etc and try splitting us).
We need US and China. Even if we ally with US, we have to make it clear to China that we are not their enemies. Then only they wont worry much abt India and India n China will prosper together.
That's the way to go..
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