Walk of life

The 24th Annual Lenten Walking Pilgrimage will set off from Sacred Heart Church, Khar W, Mumbai, today morning. The walk goes through the Golibar Subway, into Santacruz (E), across the Highway, past St. Anthony's Church (Vakola), into Kalina, again past Our Lady of Egypt (Kalina) and back upto St. Charles' Convent.


Actors dressed as Roman soldiers mock flagellate Alan D'Souza
portraying Jesus Christ during a re-enaction of the Crucifixion in a Good
Friday procession in Mumbai 2010

Persecution
Christians, numbering approximately 15,000, are expected to walk while fasting and doing penance -- evangelizing and witnessing. Says Joseph Dias, General Secretary, Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) that the theme this year would be: "Persecution: Anti-Christian Attack in India, especially in view of the continuing violence in different states of India -- MP, Orissa, Karnataka, Chattisgarh and other places. The objective is to express solidarity with the victims, pray for the persecutors and also urge the government to act on the demands of the community."u00a0


Different: A rehearsal of Easter celebrations in Hungary. Hungary
celebrates Easter with 'watering of the girls', a fertility ritual. Pics/AFP

u00a0Dias added that it is the Gandhian way to protest. "Last year, we had a theme where we highlighted the plight of Dalit Christians. This time, we have the persecution theme. The walk would begin by 10.30 am and wind up at approximately 3.30 pm, it is a long walk." Dias says that theme aside; the walk, "Is to give hope in the context of Easter and the resurrection."

Clout
When asked what exactly is the discrimination that the community is facing, Dias said there has been a, "general apathy" towards the community because they are, "not vociferous and do not have the clout of numbers." One example he gave was that Christians were not adequately represented in certain government jobs or even institutions like the police force. When asked if it was discrimination or simply that the community may not be applying for these posts, Dias claimed it was the former. He also said the Christian way to protest or express solidarity with those wronged is the Biblical, "to turn the other cheek."


Serbia scene: Girls paint a giant Easter egg in Belgrade

Conversions
When Dias was asked about the stereotype that continues to dog the community about conversions he said, "It has become a bogey which is still carried on but look at the facts, there is not a single case of forced or induced conversion. The numbers of the community have been dwindling. These charges are being made by people who are afraid that the lower strata of society is now being empowered through education and people are becoming more aware of their rights."

Vigour
Currently, the world is in turmoil, with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Christianity said to be on the 'decline' in the West. The conflicts have many suggesting that the old Crusades are coming back in Europe, though Dias does not agree with that opinion. "Christianity is becoming strong in Asia and Africa. Today, the world itself has become a theatre for war and those in the arms trade are benefiting. Modern day Christianity in fact is thriving and fundamentalism in the world has brought Christianity back into focus. Many Christians are coming back to their roots with renewed vigour."

Introspection
When asked if it was time for the community to look inwards instead of having a persecution complex and blaming outsiders for problems, Dias signed off saying that the community did a lot of introspection where, "contentious issues are debated and discussed threadbare and diversity of opinion is respected." The secretary, CSF, said the community in India is quite upbeat that Mumbai's Cardinal Ivan Dias, currently No. 3 in the Vatican would become Pope one day. "We have great hope," finished Dias.u00a0