Deepagam, Don Bosco Catechetical Center organized the sixth session of the Let’s Talk Faith (நம்பிக்கையை பேசுவோம்) Forum on Thursday, March 07, 2024 at Kilpauk, Chennai. The topic for the day was “Youth and Social Responsibility” (from the standpoint of youth). Mrs. Amelia, Associate Professor from Loyola College, Chennai accepted to steer the forum discussions as moderator. Twenty-three youth from Basin Bridge, SIGA, Don Bosco College-Kilpauk, and Loyola College, consented and took part in the discussions. Fr. Jesudoss and Fr. John Christy welcomed the participants and introduced the theme of the day. The discussion commenced at 7:00 PM and closed at 9:40 PM.

The discussion was set in motion by Mrs. Amelia on a seemingly two contrary terms: Faith (இறைநம்பிக்கை) vs Confidence (தன்னம்பிக்கை). She raised probing questions for the youth such as, is faith tantamount to visiting Church only? What are sins? What are acts of omission and commission? What are against conscience (for example, jealousy is a selfish attitude; we need to question oneself)? What alienates one from social issues? What could be inclusive for the social issues?

Positing such questions, the moderator opined that courage (“fighting spirit”) is needed for social justice. From where should courage come from: personal, parental or community? Should Christian take part in politics? Quoting John 18:36-37 (“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world…”), she raised the question on the issue of political involvement by Christians. She also answered quoting Matthew 22:21, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, to God what belongs to God.” Jesus lived revolutionary life in both spiritual and political realms. She referred courage to “fighting spirit” of a social activists. 

When the youth were asked about who were social activists, they responded with a long list of social leaders starting from Ambedkar, St Teresa of Calcutta, Don Bosco, Gandhi, Stan Swami… and every mothers. In this way, youth were guided to identify social leaders.

She posed another question, “Why a person should remain social activist all through one’s life?” “Why can’t he/she be a free person?” In this way, the moderator pointed to the fact that social activism does not make a person live free. Fr. John Christy intervened with his list of leaders who faced death through social involvement, namely Jesus, Buddha and Che Guevara. Mrs. Amelia interpreted Jesus’ death for being revolutionary. Jesus was condemned on three charges namely, revolting people, opposing tax regime, and messianic claim.

The moderator quoting Preamble of Indian Constitution (Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, and Republic State) exhorted youth to give up hate politics and Manusmriti that divides the society. However, the notion of castes was quickly suppressed-out from the discussion proceeding.

The flow of discussion was oriented towards the philosophy of legalism. Law, by its nature, is the convention of do’s and don’ts. Through the centuries, law has been used for ulterior motives. Church Law is totally different from the State Laws; in that there are no amendments to the Church Law. God has broken the natural law, by becoming man. Moreover, Jesus touched lepers and unclean persons, even dead body; He set forth the new law of love. Therefore, in Christianity, love surpasses laws. Love is social responsibility that over-rides selfishness.

Listening to the Law of Love, a youth present in the forum, suggested to provide books on social involvement in parishes and religious houses; another youth opined that sermons should be based on life situations.

Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti speaks of Christianity as Culture of Encounter against a Culture of Indifference. Saying ‘No Politics Please’ itself is a politic. But, Religious Freedom is that State and Religion are two separate entity; in India it is termed as Secularism. Secularism is finding unity in plurality of religions and cultures that goes against the principle of One State, One Culture and One Religion. Democracy is by the people, for the people and of the people. Youth in the forum having understood the national issues, firmly stood for India’s secularism. Political Literacy is first-time experience for the youth; that too, in the light of faith.

Fr. Jesudoss (Director-Deepagam) while concluding the forum again pointed to the youth, the ‘Parable of Good Samaritan’ as Jesus’ epitome of Social Responsibility, from the inspiration of Pope Francis’ Social encyclical Fratelli Tutti. He thanked Mrs. Amelia, her two field staff, and Fr. John Christy who actively took part in the forum responding to youth on various social issues in this Faith Talk.