The Interplay of Christianity and Being Indian

Leon Bent

Sacred Scripture teaches that man is created “in the image of God,” is capable of knowing and loving his Creator, and is appointed by Him as master of all earthly creatures (1) that he might subdue them and use them for God’s glory. (2) “What is man that you should care for him? You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet” (Ps. 8:5-7).

But God did not create man as a “solitary figure,” for from the beginning “male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27). Their companionship produces the primary form of interpersonal communion. For by his innermost nature man is a social being, and unless he relates himself to others he can neither live nor develop his potential. Therefore, as we read elsewhere in Holy Scripture, God saw “all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gen. 1:31).

What is Culture?

Man comes to true and full humanity only through culture that, is through the cultivation of the goods and values of nature. Wherever human life is involved, therefore, nature and culture are quite intimately connected one with the other (Gaudium et Spes, n.53).

The word “culture” in its general sense indicates everything whereby man develops and perfects his many bodily and spiritual qualities; he strives by his knowledge and his labour to bring the world itself under his control. He renders social life more human, both, in the family and the civic community, through improvement of customs and institutions. Through the course of time he expresses, communicates and conserves in his work, great spiritual experiences and desires that, they might be of advantage to the progress of many, even of the whole human family (Gaudium et Spes, n.63).

Culture, because it flows immediately from the spiritual and social character of humanity, has a constant need of just liberty to develop; it needs also the legitimate possibility of exercising its autonomy according to its own principles. It, therefore, rightly demands respect and enjoys a certain inviolability within the limits of the common good, as long, of course, as it preserves the rights of the individual and the community, whether particular or universal.

In our generation when humanity continues to be afflicted by acute hardships and anxieties, arising from the ravages of war or the threat of it, the whole human family faces an hour of supreme crisis in its advance toward maturity. Moving gradually together, and more conscious of its unity, this family cannot accomplish its task of constructing for all humankind, everywhere, a world more genuinely human, unless each person devotes himself or herself, to the cause of peace with renewed vigour. Thus, it happens that the Gospel message, which is in harmony with the loftier strivings and aspirations of the human race, takes on a new lustre in our day, as it declares that the artisans of peace are blessed “because they will be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9; Gaudium et Spes n.77, promulgated by Pope Paul VI, on December 7, 1965).

The Cosmos is our Common Home

Laudato Si’ is an encyclical of Pope Francis published in May 2015. It focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth. The encyclical’s subtitle, “Care for Our Common Home,” reinforces these key themes. “An integrated approach is necessary in combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”

Laudato Si’, was a landmark event in which the pontiff advocated that, caring for the earth was not just a matter of science and politics, but a moral and spiritual concern. The Guardian hailed it as ‘the most astonishing, and perhaps, the most ambitious papal document in the past 100 years’. The Times of India, labelled it the 11th Commandment!

Laudato Si’ Animator in the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM), Sister Jyotisha says she is “enraptured” by the Encyclical, Laudato si.’ “What especially impressed me was the spiritual perspective of the interconnection between the social and the environmental crises that require an urgent ecological conversion, a radical cultural revolution that promotes an integral ecology that responds to the cry of the earth and the poor”. Because of this, she adds, “The reason why I became a ‘Laudato Si’ Animator is because I am disturbed by the impact of ecological crisis on the poor, especially in the last two-to-three years of drought and floods that, the people faced with leaving them with no means for their basic needs. My inner voice is urging me to commit myself fully for building solidarity for an Integral Ecology”.

Interreligious Dialogue

On 19th May, 1964, the Secretariat for Non-Christians was instituted by Pope Paul VI, with his apostolic letter Progrediente Concilio. It was renamed the Council for Interreligious Dialogue by Pope John Paul II, on 12 June 1988.

Tolerance of religions is important in the Hindu-majority India because of a recent rise in attacks by Hindu radicals against members of minority religions.

“The Church in India is serving the people of India irrespective of their religious affiliation, in the fields of education, social development, and health care. Its services are substantial and widely lauded, especially for the physically challenged and the aged,” Bishop D’Souza said.  “Through education, the Church has contributed immensely to break the barriers of prejudices and stereotypes through formal and informal education and women empowerment programs,” the bishop said.  He added, however, that “more needs to be done in the area of caste discrimination and indignity of women.”

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, speaking at the Interfaith Dialogue in Mumbai, India, on August 13, 2017, said: “Anger and jealousy are related to our sense of self-centredness and our disregard for others. Egomaniacal and self-absorbed behaviour easily gives rise to fear, which fosters irritation, which, when it blazes into rage, can provoke violence. The time has come to accept that if we’re talking about peace in the world, we have to consider peace within ourselves – first!

His Holiness mentioned that he is committed to raising awareness of how to bring about a happier, more peaceful world through education and common sense. Having spent 58 years in this country he has observed with admiration how religious traditions that originated here live side by side with those that came from outside. In this respect, India is an example to the world.

Building Bridges across Boundaries

World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed during the first week of February, after the General Assembly of the United Nations, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the U.N., designation in 2010. The General Assembly pointed out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and established World Interfaith Harmony Week, as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.

Recognizing the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people, the General Assembly encourages all States to spread the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, on a voluntary basis and according to their own religious traditions or convictions.

 India is a Place of Harmony in Diversity

Last year, the Archdiocese of Patna, in the Indian state of Bihar, inaugurated the new Institute of interreligious dialogue of Rajgir (IRDIR) to promote peace, harmony and solidarity among the different religious communities of Northern India. “It is our duty to promote goodwill and religious unity. This Institute is committed to peace, unity and the unity of people”, said to Fides Jesuit Archbishop William D’Souza, at the head of the diocese of Patna, at the inauguration ceremony held on September 1. The event was attended by over 450 Christians, about 250 Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhist monks, Jainist nuns and numerous government officials on September 1, 2019.

Gandhiji once shared his views on harmony – “The way we reach to unity shows our beauty in Diversity”. Each state of India has its own unique historical, mythological and cultural background with its specific culture, language and ethics. For years, there has been a prominent fusion of cultures between all the Buddhist, Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikh, etc., and various tribal and indigenous populations in India.

If we haven’t yet started, now would be a great time, the apt moment, to launch out into the deep!


Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi. On April, 28, 2018, Leon received the Cardinal Ivan Dias Award for a research paper in Mariology.