Gabriel Vaz
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 17: A permanent solution to the vexed language issue in liturgy that has plagued the Archdiocese of Bengaluru since the last four decades with primacy for Karnataka’s official language of Kannada and accommodation to conducting liturgical services in other languages as its key points has at last been announced.
The permanent solution announced by Bengaluru Archdiocese Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras, in his latest official circular No. 131/2015 issued on April 12, the Divine Mercy Sunday,is based on the 10-point Directives issued by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Vatican, on January 8, 2015 "for a permanent solution to the long-standing language issue in the Archdiocese of Bengaluru."
The Archbishop, in his official circular, has announced the implementation of the "Directives in toto into Particular Laws for the Pastoral welfare of the whole of the Archdiocese of Bengaluru" exercising the power of legislation under Canon Law 391. "These laws come into effect immediately," the Archbishop said making it clear that "any doubts of interpretation and/or implementation of these laws will be done by the Archbishop alone, based on the Original Text." "All other previous laws through Circulars No. 3/83 and 2/88, and other laws and regulations related to the language issue are hereby abrogated" consequent to the issuance of the latest Directives by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples to solve the language issue in the Liturgy and promulgation of the laws in the Archdiocese.
The implementation of the policy on finding a permanent solution to the language controversy in Bengaluru Archdiocese is likely to have spin off effects in several other Dioceses in Karnataka, especially Chikmagalur, Mysore, Shimoga etc, wherein Konkani speaking and other linguistic groups have been agitating and clamouring for solution to their demands for liturgical services in their own respective mother-tongues.
Faithful to have say in choice of language
Significantly, the 10-point directives that have now become the Laws in the Archdiocese, provide for the use of English"for Liturgy in all our parishes, especially in the city and semi-urban parishes" in view of the cosmopolitan character of Bengaluru with the faithful comprising of migrants from other parts of the State, country and even abroad besides the education of large number of children in English medium schools.
It also casts a duty on the Parish Pastoral Council under the leadership of the Parish Priest to "study and make a profile of the parish community and make proposals" regarding the languages to be used for liturgical services to the Archbishop regarding the scheduled of masses in different languages to be used in the Parish.
Yet another important directive is allowing the choice of language in the liturgy during Marriage, Funeral, Anniversary and other similar celebrations of the parties concerned subject to the condition that these celebrations are to be placed outside the fixed services of the parish.
In toto acceptance of 10-Point Directives
The 10-point Directives from the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, which have been accepted "in toto" and promulgated into laws in the Archdiocese of Bengaluru, are:
1. The Principal language of the Archdiocese is Kannada, as stated in the Pastoral Handbook of the Archdiocese (2009). In all parishes of the Archdiocese, therefore, the principal language is to be encouraged in Masses and liturgical services and gradually introduced wherever it is not existing. While scheduling Masses, Kannada Mass could be given the prime time.
2. The Archdiocesan common liturgical celebrations (celebrations that are not to be duplicated – Jubilee, Chrism Mass, Ordination etc), which the Archbishop presides will be held in Kannada, while making provisions for reading, singing and commentary in different languages that are prevalent in the Archdiocese.
3. However, provision has to be made in our parishes for Masses and other liturgical services to be conducted in other languages, depending on the need of the congregation. This is simply because the language of the liturgy should be in the language of the vast majority of people present at worship for their better understanding, participation and assimilation, "while keeping the schedule of Masses and the languages used in the existing parishes untouched."
4. Bengaluru is a cosmopolitan city. There are large numbers of faithful who are migrants from other parts of the State and country and even abroad. Majority of our children are studying in English Medium Schools. English, being the universal language, should be used for Liturgy in all our parishes, especially in the city and semi-urban parishes.
5. Therefore, it is the duty of the Parish Pastoral Council under the leadership of the Parish Priest to study and make a profile of the parish community and make proposals to the Archbishop, who, taking into consideration the recommendations made by the Dean and also in consultation with the College of Consulters, will decide the schedule of the Masses and the languages to be used in every parish. The proposals should include the policy for the First Holy Communion, First Friday, Confirmation, and Parish Feast Day Masses etc.
The same policy should be followed not only in parishes but also in institutions and mission units of the Archdiocese.
6. When a new parish is erected and/or an existing parish is bifurcated, the Archdiocesan Boundary Committee will propose the parish limits and also the profile of the new parish.
7. Directives issued by the Archbishop must be accepted and followed by all.
8. Marriage, Funeral, Anniversary and other similar celebrations should be in the language of choice of the parties concerned, and these celebrations are to be placed outside the fixed services of the parish. If the Parish Priest is unable to celebrate such a Mass, the parties with his permission, could bring their own priest.
9. The language of the priest’s funeral mass should be in English unless otherwise circumstances demand it.
10. All issues should be solved in a cordial atmosphere with mutual respect, openness, dialogue and in consultation.
Three-member Papal Commission
The circular states that the permanent solution is based on the report of the 3-Bishops’ high power commission headed by Emeritus Archbishop Thomas Menaparampil of Gauwati, Bishop Agnelo Gracias of Mumbai and Bishop Thomas Dabre of Pune constituted by Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples in 2012 and the subsequent widespread consultations and discussions that the Archdiocese held with different groups, especially the Archdiocesan Priests’ Council (Senate) and also the report of the 10-member Senate Committee as also the recommendations of the Archdiocesan College of Consulters.
The Archbishop had forwarded the ‘’viable and practical recommendations to solve the language issue in the Archdiocese," which was discussed in the Priests’ Council meeting held on July 17, 2014 and "approved in toto" by all the members of College of Consulters (barring one member) on August 27, 2014, which was later sent to Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio on September 24, 2014 for forwarding to the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples "to study, consider and issue Directives."
Prudent Guidance of Archbishop
Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, has in an official communication to the Archbishop on January 8, 2015, informed the formal approval accorded by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of People. "Having carefully and thoroughly examined the documentation and the organic proposal Your Grace has transmitted, along with the favourable opinion of the Priests’ Senate and the College of Consulters, approves the same proposal, expressing the hope that through its wise implementation with paternal and pastoral solicitude, the present atmosphere of contraposition and intolerance within the same Diocese be overcome once for all," Archbishop Pennacchio said quoting the Vatican letter from the Prefect.
Archbishop Pennacchio has also expressed the wishes of Prefect of Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples that the Archbishop would provide "prudent guidance to the entire flock, regardless of ethnic and linguistic origin."
Christian Spirit, Live and Let live, Give and Take
The Archbishop has made it clear that "We neither question the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples nor discuss these Directives anymore, but we will only find ways and means through its wise implementation, with paternal and pastoral solicitude, the present atmosphere of contraposition and intolerance within the (same) Diocese be overcome once for all as exhorted by the Apostolic Nuncio in his letter."
"My earnest appeal to all the Archdiocesan Clergy, Religious Priests, Brothers and Sisters, and the People of God is that let us make concerted and relentless efforts to implement these laws with the spirit of goodwill and undivided obedience to our higher ecclesiastical authorities, and also strive to put an end to this long-standing language controversy in our Archdiocese," the Archbishop said.
Archbishop Moras said: "If all of us have the genuine pastoral care and Christian fellowship, we can certainly promote harmony, peace and unity in the Archdiocese. More than ever, this is an opportune time for us to come together with God’s help to do our best to revitalise our pastoral ministries for everyone’s welfare in the Archdiocese. If all of us have the true Christian Spirit and live and let live attitude and give and take policy, we are sure to make the Church in Bengaluru flourish and grow."