Communication is an important aspect in life, be it among humans or non-humans. Among ants, birds and animals, though primitive we admit, is highly advanced, effective and hassle-free. There is no vindication, no fear, or limited to one’s own class or clan. Anyone who can decode it, can make use of it. That’s why when there is food available or when an enemy is approaching they raise their alerting voice. And the rest of the world follows it without any difficulty. There is no false news or wrong message being spread to deviate one from the path. But, the communication system involved amongst the most advanced beings, the humans is always under the scanner.
One of the recent metaphors for communication is net or inter-net, a tool of cyber technology. It has become a synonym for knowledge and wisdom, and even we have begun to speak about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Any resource for any issue, any solution to a problem, etc. is available at the click of the mouse. After all, many of our problems are similar in nature and therefore there is a commonality in the solution too. One helps the other. We are better connected with this facility. Kudos to the technocratic world, we have outlived our capacity. We have lost our creative wisdom.
There are some important aspects to be noted in this metaphor. There is no centre here, rather there are multiple lines and intersections. Each inter-section though looks independent, without its relation with the other node has no life. Though there are several such cohesive and adhesive elements, there are also certain drawbacks. It can make a person ‘hermit,’ alienating oneself from one’s own creative potentialities, and from other’s well-being by treating other as ‘means and things’ to nurture one’s own selfishness and ego.
Our society is not a single entity, nor there is a single centre to say, “this way only,” rather there are multiple centres and nodes. Each node is connected to the other with a transcendental relationship. For example, the word ‘nation’ cannot be limited only to a geographical boundary nor to a particular language or culture. It is a sum total of a history, culture, language, interest, ideology, etc. ‘The Church’ is not a community of only Catholics, rather a sum total of a people who believe in Christ. In the same way, a religious congregation, a diocese or a community has a meaning in the relationship and well-being of every members of it.
When there is a dissent of voices in the community, or when a decision is autocratically enforced upon its members, the community sans to be so. It no longer remains as an organismic unit, like body and its parts. A complete body is that in which each limb is intact and communicate suitably. Thus, the metaphor of the body and limb is a better imagery for social networking than the internet, for, there is recognition of other’s face in a community which the latter lacks.
Today’s ministry of Communications in the Church in India though far better than a couple of decades ago, has not yet become a perfect model to be boasted about. The Church known for its cohesiveness has not yet effectively manifested. Admitted that Christians are minorities in the country and in some pockets sizeable number has not become ‘the salt’ and ‘the light’ which can give taste and guidance to the rest of the community. May be, the inner motives of different denominations are the blocking issues. But that is not an excuse either. In recent years the official highest body of Christians in India has made a difference in knitting various segments and streams of thoughts of the society. But that is not sufficient. The basic elements of the systems should take initiative in building bridges and then only the efforts of the higher level body will become more effective.
The Catholic Church, though have better structures, both in terms of networking and personnel has not sufficiently tapped and utilized its resources. In many parts of the country the hierarchy and including the several congregations are busy in constructing niches for themselves and for political and economic gains. Recent general elections and adherence to certain party ideologies by certain people of the hierarchy in different parts of the country cannot be forgotten, nor be forgivable. Many minorities of the country are looking for the Christian leadership, because they know that only Christians and their role in social well-being can bring a positive change in the country. Have we fulfilled this aspiration of the millions? Have we not failed in establishing bridges?
We need to be proud of our education and healthcare institutions. India has produced thousands of great think-tanks and social reformers through our institutions. This has made the country grow and develop in various sectors. The demand for admissions to our institutions is a visible proof for this. As we put our chest up, we need to reflect its present effectiveness. Economic well-being is not all that is primary. Though it is necessary, the future of the people is the most urgent need. The future is building a humane society filled with gospel values. Sacrificing these for the sake of establishing a structure is not being a Christian. Somewhere there is a lacunae created by our present welfare institutions. Our English medium schools, technical institutions, etc. are multiplying, but the quality and values that need to be cherished is being disintegrating day by day. We are losing our ‘Christian culture,’ sacrificing moral values for consumerist values. Somehow, we are falling into the trap of ‘-isms’ such as, ‘hermitism,’ elitism, standardism, superiorism, competitionism, etc. Should we not base our identity on ‘otherness’?
There is an enormous communication gap between our institutions, hierarchy, and people. We are treating each one as an independent entity needing no cohesion. This selfish gene from us should to be removed. Only when drops are united river finds life, so too is the society. For this we need to bring back the basic Christian community model of the Acts of the Apostles, ‘where one person’s need was everybody’s need.’ Sharing our resources with those who are in need is the real need of the hour. Add to this, shunning the individuality and wearing the robe of inter-dependence without any malice can give us a real success. Let’s hope for a healthy and vibrant human community.
Fr. Raju Felix Crasta
