The following article was published In the Feb.2011 issue of Soul and Vision. The author is Prof. J.Srampickal SJ and he is professor at Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
Our parish priest is a very learned man. He knows everything. He tells us what to do and we just follow him, said an elderly lady.
Our parish priest is an autocrat. He doesn't want our opinions. He won't allow others to do anything, he fears others can mess up everything.
In our parish, when we come up with a suggestion, or an opinion, the priest is keen to find out who said that. Unless he knows who said it, he would not like to proceed. In our parish the parish priest takes all the decisions. He has a few favorites who execute all his decisions, an young lady quipped in. And that indeed is partiality!
The above are comments I collected in one of my pastoral communication classes,in a North Indian parish, while talking on the importance of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) in a parish, the most important unit that helps create community participation and a sense of belongingness in the parish is the PPC. And good communication is the basis of building an effective PPC. Participation of the members of the parish in the decision making and execution of all the activities of the parish is the central focus of the PPC. Canon law numbers 228, 536
and 537 speak highly of the necessity for PPC in every parish. Earlier, since I already established in this column that the purpose of communication is to enable participation and empowerment of the people and thus build strongly united community,let me look at the formation of PPC from a communication perspective.
Theological foundation:
Like in the apostolic times, people can still come together to share their everything, all their resources
to build a community of love effectively (Acts 3\12).PPCs emphasize the concept, that it is the people's parish, not of the
priests. The priest cannot and must not run things his way, he is here for a short time,like a bird of passage,it must be the people who are responsible for running the parish and its various activities.
PPCs can help the resources of the people to be made available to the parish community and the less privileged members cared for more, if an open and friendly atmosphere
is built up in the parish.
Membership: The PPC is constituted of roughly 15- 25 people depending on the size of the parish. PPC consists of representatives of the parish: from various wards \ sectors, pious associations, religious, important institutions and of course, the parish priest,
the non-voting assistant parish priests, etc.Gender equality may be maintained as much as possible. The members are normally elected for 3 years, every year one third being changed. A substitute for each member may also always be elected, who must come in case of the absence of the elected member.
Modus operandi: Anyone of these members may be elected president, not necessarily the parish priest. In these PPC meets, which is called every fortnight, every activity of the parish may be discussed.The agenda may be prepared in advance. Points may be
supplied to the agenda by anyone of the members collected from those whom they represent.
Documenting the resources of the parish: Resources include money, personnel,labour, special talents etc.The first priority of the PPC is to find the resources of the
parish, document and update these periodically. These have to be made available for reference to the parishioners, through parish website or other ways.
Executive committee:
The PPC needs to have an executive committee of at least 4 people excluding the parish priest, and in emergency these may be given the power to change decisions in consultation with the parish riest.
The Secretary must be an elected person, the assistants parish priest(s)if any, could be well utilized in this post.
Democratic decision making:
Never leave the final word to the parish priest as is often done.It is the duty of the members to be well informed of all the issues discussed. A 2\3 majority or at least a simple majority (50%
plus one) may be considered the decision point.
Duration of meetings: The more the meetings, the more the participation. However, too many meetings may not possible.At least a meeting a month is a must.
Creating a community:
PPCs are attempts at getting the participation of the whole people in running the parish. Wide range of opinions collected from the parishioners help decisions to favour the faith needs of the people. For this reason, the parish priest may not be the chairman of the PPC and also not part of the executive committee, too. If in many parts of the world Catholics are leaving the church,it is mainly because they feel isolated from the activities of the parish. PPC can be an efficient means to re-evangelize them. "Pastoral councils often fail to function in an effective manner because parish priests are afraid that they won't be able to run the parish their own way. I often wonder why they want to take over our parish and run their way" commented an elderly parishioner who was a PPC member for six years, with two terms.
For all those priests who have been speaking endlessly in national and regional seminars on the importance of empowering the laity, setting up a PPC in the manner suggested above can be a bitter pill to swallow. They may suggest that it will destroy the church, but try doing it and they will see that the laity can be very responsible
Our parish priest is a very learned man. He knows everything. He tells us what to do and we just follow him, said an elderly lady.
Our parish priest is an autocrat. He doesn't want our opinions. He won't allow others to do anything, he fears others can mess up everything.
In our parish, when we come up with a suggestion, or an opinion, the priest is keen to find out who said that. Unless he knows who said it, he would not like to proceed. In our parish the parish priest takes all the decisions. He has a few favorites who execute all his decisions, an young lady quipped in. And that indeed is partiality!
The above are comments I collected in one of my pastoral communication classes,in a North Indian parish, while talking on the importance of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) in a parish, the most important unit that helps create community participation and a sense of belongingness in the parish is the PPC. And good communication is the basis of building an effective PPC. Participation of the members of the parish in the decision making and execution of all the activities of the parish is the central focus of the PPC. Canon law numbers 228, 536
and 537 speak highly of the necessity for PPC in every parish. Earlier, since I already established in this column that the purpose of communication is to enable participation and empowerment of the people and thus build strongly united community,let me look at the formation of PPC from a communication perspective.
Theological foundation:
Like in the apostolic times, people can still come together to share their everything, all their resources
to build a community of love effectively (Acts 3\12).PPCs emphasize the concept, that it is the people's parish, not of the
priests. The priest cannot and must not run things his way, he is here for a short time,like a bird of passage,it must be the people who are responsible for running the parish and its various activities.
PPCs can help the resources of the people to be made available to the parish community and the less privileged members cared for more, if an open and friendly atmosphere
is built up in the parish.
Membership: The PPC is constituted of roughly 15- 25 people depending on the size of the parish. PPC consists of representatives of the parish: from various wards \ sectors, pious associations, religious, important institutions and of course, the parish priest,
the non-voting assistant parish priests, etc.Gender equality may be maintained as much as possible. The members are normally elected for 3 years, every year one third being changed. A substitute for each member may also always be elected, who must come in case of the absence of the elected member.
Modus operandi: Anyone of these members may be elected president, not necessarily the parish priest. In these PPC meets, which is called every fortnight, every activity of the parish may be discussed.The agenda may be prepared in advance. Points may be
supplied to the agenda by anyone of the members collected from those whom they represent.
Documenting the resources of the parish: Resources include money, personnel,labour, special talents etc.The first priority of the PPC is to find the resources of the
parish, document and update these periodically. These have to be made available for reference to the parishioners, through parish website or other ways.
Executive committee:
The PPC needs to have an executive committee of at least 4 people excluding the parish priest, and in emergency these may be given the power to change decisions in consultation with the parish riest.
The Secretary must be an elected person, the assistants parish priest(s)if any, could be well utilized in this post.
Democratic decision making:
Never leave the final word to the parish priest as is often done.It is the duty of the members to be well informed of all the issues discussed. A 2\3 majority or at least a simple majority (50%
plus one) may be considered the decision point.
Duration of meetings: The more the meetings, the more the participation. However, too many meetings may not possible.At least a meeting a month is a must.
Creating a community:
PPCs are attempts at getting the participation of the whole people in running the parish. Wide range of opinions collected from the parishioners help decisions to favour the faith needs of the people. For this reason, the parish priest may not be the chairman of the PPC and also not part of the executive committee, too. If in many parts of the world Catholics are leaving the church,it is mainly because they feel isolated from the activities of the parish. PPC can be an efficient means to re-evangelize them. "Pastoral councils often fail to function in an effective manner because parish priests are afraid that they won't be able to run the parish their own way. I often wonder why they want to take over our parish and run their way" commented an elderly parishioner who was a PPC member for six years, with two terms.
For all those priests who have been speaking endlessly in national and regional seminars on the importance of empowering the laity, setting up a PPC in the manner suggested above can be a bitter pill to swallow. They may suggest that it will destroy the church, but try doing it and they will see that the laity can be very responsible
6 comments:
സീറോ മലബാര് കാത്തോലിക് ലെയ്റ്റി ഓര്ഗനൈസേഷന് (SMCLO ) എന്ന പേരില് സീറോ മലബാര് അത്മായരുടെ പുതിയ സംഘടനക്ക് ചിക്കാഗോയില് തുടക്കമായി. ജനുവരി 15 , ഞായറാഴ്ച നൈല്സിലുള്ള ന്യൂ ചൈന ബഫെയില് വച്ച് നടത്തപ്പെട്ട ഉത്ഘാടനച്ചടങ്ങില് പങ്കെടുക്കുവാ൯ കൊപ്പേല് സെ.അല്ഫോന്സ കാത്തോലിക്ക് ഫൌണ്ടേഷനിലെ പ്രതിനിധീകരിച്ച് പീറ്റര് തോമസും, മി.ടോം വര്ക്കിയും പോകുമെന്നറിഞ്ഞിരുന്നുവെങ്കില്, കോപ്പലില് നിന്ന് ഞങ്ങള് പലവരും വരുമായിരുന്നു. ഞങ്ങള് അറിഞ്ഞുവന്നപ്പോള് സമയം വൈകിപോയി.
ഒരു ളോഹ കയ്യിലുണ്ടെങ്കില് ഒരിക്കലും പട്ടിണി കിടക്കേണ്ടി വരില്ല എന്ന് ഒരു സരസന് പറഞ്ഞത് എത്രയോ ശെരി.
മണ്ടന്മാരായ പുതു മടി ശീലക്കാര് ഉള്ളിടത്തോളം കാലം ജീവിക്കാന് ഇതും ഒരു മാര്ഗം ആണെന്ന് സമ്മതിക്കാതെ തരമില്ല.
മലയാളികള് മനസറിഞ്ഞു ഒരു മനുഷ്യ ജീവിക്കും എന്തെങ്കിലും ധന സഹായം ചെയ്തതതായി കേട്ടിട്ടില്ല.
സ്വന്തം പേരെഴുതി വെക്കാനുള്ള ഫലകം ഇല്ലാത്ത ഒരു ഇടപാടിനും അവര് ഒരു പെനി പോലും ചിലവാക്കുകയില്ല.
അവരുടെ ഇടയില് ഒരു ളോഹ കയ്യിലുണ്ടെങ്കില് ഒരിക്കലും പട്ടിണി കിടക്കേണ്ടി വരില്ല -- കുറെ നടന്നു പോകട്ടെ.
In the Syro-Malabar community there are three types of people.
People who fear themselves, they always says "yes' high priest and authority.
Second, people who fear themselves and God, they go to churches and prayers as long as they get positions.
Third, people who fear God and learned or wise, the high priest and Authorities move away from them, though they contribute their time, talent and money.
Then again there another three groups of people in syro-malabar community of USA.
People who were already here for long time - enjoyed the spiritual freedom and work with the church at large.
Second, people who just came from gulf - Muslim dominated countries where they had no freedom to worship or express themselves and not much learned.
Third, people who just came from India and other places who do not anything about that is happening in the syro-malabar church is usa, as they think India as their home parish and would go back soon....
പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ജോജിഅച്ചാ ,
താങ്ങള് എന്നാണ് കുട്ടികള്ക്ക് നേരെ ചൊവ്വേ ഇംഗ്ലീഷില് ഒരു വാക്ക് (ഹോമിലി) പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കുന്നത്? താങ്ങള് പറയുന്ന പോട്ട മംഗ്ലീഷ് കുട്ടികള്ക്ക് അറിയില്ല , അതുപോലെ അവര് പറഉന്നത് തങ്ങള്ക്കും, ഇനി നമ്മള്ക്ക് നല്ല പള്ളിയായി, നല്ല വിദ്യസബന്നനും, SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE ഉം , ലീഡര് ship qualities ഉം , American culture നെ respect ചയൂന്ന , ഒരു അച്ഛനെ C C D കുട്ടികള്ക്ക് അത്യാവശമാണ്!!!!!
!
ഇടവകയിലെ പല പ്രശനങ്ങള്ഉം താങ്ങള് പരിഹരികാതെ പരാജയപെട്ടത് , തഞാളുടെ കഴിവ് കേടിനെ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നു!!!!
സ്നേഹപൂര്വ്വം ഒരു
എക്സ്- ബില്ഡിംഗ് കമ്മറ്റി മെമ്പര്
GARLAND ലെ ഒരു മുന് കമ്മറ്റിക്കാരന് എന്നനിലയില് ഇ അഭിപ്രയത്തോട് 100 % യോജിക്കുന്നു ...
ഇടവകയിലെ പ്രശ്നം പരിഹരികുന്നതില് അദേഹം പരാജയപെട്ടു , നോണ്-BIBLICAL ( ബൈബിളില് ഇല്ലാത്ത ) കാര്യങ്ങള്ക്കുവേണ്ടി ബാലിശമായ വാശി
കാണിച്ചതും , വിശുത്ത കുര്ബാന മധ്യത്തില് ബൈബിളിലെ കാര്യങ്ങള് വളച്ചൊടിച്ചു ദുര്വാക്യനം ചെയ്തു , വെക്തി വൈരാഗ്യതിന് ഉപയോഗിച്ചത് ,IMMATURITY MIND ന്റെ ഉടമയാണെന്നു സമ്മതിച്ചേ മതിയാകു..
ഈ പറയുന്നവ പരിശുതല്മാവിനെതിരായതും , ഒരിക്കലും ഷേമിക്കാത്ത പപവുമആണന്നു വിശുത സഭ
നമ്മെ പടിപ്പികുന്നുടല്ലോ...
അതുകൊണ്ട് ബഹുമാനപെട്ട അച്ചെന് , സഹകരിക്കണം.. WE NEED A FRESH START ...GOD BLESS യു
What are you saying? Fr. Srampickal's model pastoral council in zero-malabar USA? If such a thing were to happen, Angadi will commit suicide - along with most of the zero parish priests here. Dictatorship is the only strategy they know, and that is what they will follow. But this will all end soon, because they dont know that they are digging thier own grave.
Take for example pastor council of Zero chathidral. All members are "selected" by Thundan. He made sure only people who say "yes,yes" are selected. He also made sure, when he does some unethical acts, these members will look the other way. How many times have Thundan made Isha Lawrence to change the meeting minutes of pastoral council meetings - numerous times.
Unless we people react very seriously and may be openly protest, these "dictatorship" will continue. What is sad is that it is not an isolated case. It is all done with the full knowledge of Angadi (otherwise what is the reason for him appointing Thundan, VG?)
React! Protest! Stope donating!
What are you saying? Fr. Srampickal's model pastoral council in zero-malabar USA? If such a thing were to happen, Angadi will commit suicide - along with most of the zero parish priests here………..
Soul and Vision writes.
The Parish Pastoral Council – Creating a community by Fr.(Prof.) Jacob Srampickal is an article which is based on the directions formulated by the Second Vatican Council.
Hence it should not be misunderstood that The Parish Pastoral council- Creating a community is his own model.
Unfortunately our Syro Malabar authorities in Kerala and Bishop Angadiath in USA are closing their eyes to the directions given by the Second Vatican Council. Besides for the last 50 years they did not made even single attempt to implement the above directions of Vatican Council II. Rather they wish to continue to exploiting the “People of God”
Post a Comment