ASIA/INDIA-Fight against corruption in society and the Church: the commitment of the religious

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - Transparency, morality in public and private life, the fight against corruption, are in the DNA of the religious and of all Christians commitment, in society and the Church: this is what was said during a seminar held in past days in Jansui (in the state of Uttar Pradesh, northern India), on the theme: "Our response to corruption in society and the Church". As sources of Fides report, the Seminar, organized by the Conference of the major Superiors of India, brought together over 60 delegates from religious institutes, from different dioceses, to study the issue of corruption and planning strategies of Indian religious to combat it.
The fight against corruption has made a comeback in the country after the great public campaign launched in early 2011 by Anna Hazare leaders, who coagulated Indian civil society and brought a bill in Parliament. The proposal, however, has not yet been examined, and the movement is rearing its head.
"What we need is the courage to speak out and take a position in real life," remarked Sister Deepa in her speech, of the Congregation of Jesus, describing the dimensions of corruption in India and explaining that "we too are victims of this great evil" . "We need to be freed from this evil, to play a prophetic role in society," she said, noting that "there are ecclesial members that are corrupt: it is urgent to eradicate this threat from our own community". Noting that religious people often "do not have the courage to denounce corrupt practices, becoming, thus, accomplices", the participants at the seminar developed a list of "joint actions" necessary to root out corruption. To work on two specific plans was underlined: awareness and education. The first commitment is to share with members of the community these issues, raising awareness and creating a "shared awareness". This awareness must be taken, then, to schools, parishes, youth associations, through debates and assemblies. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/12/2011)