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News » Hyderabad Province (INH)

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GREAT EXPECTATIONS FROM THE SALESIAN SOCIAL FORUM
Hyderabad, Aug. 20. Leaders of Don Bosco Institutions in South Asia speak out on the Forum

The highest policy making body of the Don Bosco Institutions in South Asia (SPCSA), during their bi-annual deliberations held from 10-12, August, 2009 at Hyderabad, took stock of the progress of the newly formed Salesian Social Forum. At the January International Congress in Rome on Human Rights and Don Bosco`s System of Education, Fr. Pascual Chavez, the leader of the Salesian Family in the world, had called for a Human Rights approach, especially through education.  Salesians of Don Bosco work in 130 countries grouped into 8 regions. South Asian Region responded by initiating the Salesian Social Forum.
Fr. Noel Maddhichetty, Provincial of Hyderabad, felicitates Fr. Kanaka Maria Arokiam at the SPCSA meet.
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On March 10 this year the SPCSA Assembly first mooted the proposal for an association of social activists. A core group met on 1st April and initiated the Salesian Social Forum. The inaugural meeting of the Forum took place at Bangalore on 4-5 July 2009.  Acknowledging their roots to the Social Service Guild at Kristu Jyoti College, the 33 participants recalled with nostalgia the various events that brought them this far. The freeing of the 40 families of bonded labourers at Chickabasavanapura in 1975 remains the key event of this entire process. The meeting agreed upon their common vision given in the Forum Statement.

The SPCSA Assembly listened to the Progress Report and the Forum Statement, and appreciated the growth of the forum. They accepted the forum and the activities the forum members carry out. They had no questions regarding any of the activities, instead had some apprehensions about the influence the forum members could have on the rest of the community regarding permissions, punctuality and regularity in community activities. What they demanded of SSF members would also be demanded of everyone, they clarified. They expected the forum members to be models in the communities.

Regarding permissions and communications, Fr. T.D. John, the contact person for the SSF, assured the assembly that the members would be in constant touch with their provincials and would seek all the necessary permissions. He also asserted that as adult confreres and as human rights educators, the forum members would not be wanting in exercising their own fundamental freedom and rights. He did not see community life as a problem.

Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, the Provincial of Chennai, insisted on a Spirituality of Social Action that could sustain the movement. He was grateful for being introduced to the latest encyclical, `Caritas in Veritate` and sought an integral reading of the text by the members. Fr. Ellacheriyil Thomas, the provincial of Kolkata, warned of the danger of our losing our focus on Youth. He spoke of not grabbing more than one can chew. There was also the risk of getting bogged down in political conflicts.

Fr. Jose Maliekal, a forum member and the contact person on staff training and formation, spoke of the lurking dichotomy between matter and spirit, and the danger of seeing social action as exclusively secular. He challenged the assembly to relive the Oratorian temerity in our own times, especially in our Human Rights approach. He also called for an approach to formation that will help to bring Social Justice Concerns and Human Rights into the mainstream.

Fr. T.D. John asserted that thinking in terms of a new social order, or the kingdom of God was already thinking big. If there was a dire need, or if people were suffering, we need to think big and spare no efforts. He also pleaded for a participatory approach from the community which could encourage initiative and not brand it as individualism.

Fr. Kanaga Maria Arokiam, the Regional for South Asia and the President of SPCSA, fully endorsed the forum and confirmed its activities to be very much within the scope of the mission of the congregation. He reminded the confreres of the primary thrust of the 26th General Chapter on the Spiritual and Charismatic renewal of the Individual Salesian. He invited all to let this renewal encompass also our efforts towards Social Justice and Human Rights.

The session began with an intervention by Fr. Thomas Pallithanam, the delegate of the Hyderabad Provincial Commission for Justice and Peace. He brought the attention of the members to the Global  Call for Action Against Poverty (GCAP) and with it STAND UP / TAK ACTION against poverty and for the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) to be achieved by all nations by 2015. He invited the leaders to ``STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY`` on 16-17-18 October 2009 along with millions of others the world over. This year faith groups also have been invited to join. 16th October, Friday, is a working day when all our institutions could ``stand up against poverty.`` 18th October is a Sunday when people of all our parishes could also ``stand up`` to express their solidarity. We could begin by registering ourselves ``TODAY`` at www.standagainstpoverty.org. Here is an opportunity to be part of the teeming millions who hope for ``Another World That Is Possible.``

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