Dalit Christian organizations in Tamil Nadu state in southern India have demanded a separate rite for Dalit Catholics as a solution to caste discrimination in the Indian Church.

Dalit Christians have long wanted an end to caste discrimination in the Church and have in the past urged Pope Francis to create a Catholic rite like the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankare churches based in Kerala.

The latest demand was raised at a seminar organized by the Dalit Christian Liberation Forum, which represents the state’s Dalit Christian priests and nuns, in Acharapakkam in the Chingleput Diocese of Tamil Nadu on October 15.

Over 250 participants attended, including Dalit rights activists, journalists, teachers and youth from 27 organizations to discuss and reflect on the document entitled “Towards an Individual Indo-Dalit Church and Rite” written by an team of experts led by a renowned theologian. Father Félix Wilfred.

Copies of the document were sent to Propaganda Fide, Rome, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CCBI), the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council ( TNBC) and bishops across India.

“The seminar was the first to be held after the preparation of the detailed document or article on the formation of the Church or of the Indo-Dalit individual rite. It was a continuation of the initial seminar held in August, ”Father Z. Devasagaya Raj, former secretary of the CBCI office for Dalits and the Backward, told UCA News.

We have faced discrimination and marginalization within the Church as well as in civil society over the past decades

Father Raj, one of the organizers of the seminar, further revealed that “this is the first state-level introductory meeting where Dalit Catholics and other denominational churches have gathered to reflect on a distinct Dalit rite within the framework of the Roman Catholic Church ”.

The priest said that Catholics of Dalit descent are different from the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankare churches. Their socio-political realities, culture, traditions, practices and way of life are different from those of Catholics belonging to dominant communities.

The CBCI Policy for Dalit Empowerment states that “the term ‘Dalit’ does not indicate caste identity… It is not only a matter of social and cultural category, but also a theological category.

“We have faced discrimination and marginalization within the Church as well as in civil society over the past decades. We want Dalit Christians to be treated equally, ”said Father Raj.

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The seminar in Tamil Nadu discussed and reflected on a church where Dalit Christians celebrate their music, culture and traditions as do the Syro-Malabar and Malankara churches. The participants felt that the demand for a Dalit rite would be in communion with Pope Francis’ call for a synodal church inviting all to communion, participation and mission.

Addressing the participants, Father Cosmon Arockiaraj, former secretary of the CBCI office for Dalits and the Backward Classes, said that “the Dalit rite in the Catholic Church will nourish the Indian Church. This would pave the way for unity in diversity and be an example of multiplicity.

“The Dalit rite is a proposition. It is the will of God and a need of the hour to form the fourth rite under the Roman Catholic Church. We Dalits are the body of Christ crucified on the cross, ”he said.

Dalits have the right to autonomy, equality and evangelism, said Father Arockiaraj.

Many have converted to Christianity and Islam in recent centuries, but these religions offer limited protection against societal prejudice and discrimination.

Sister Alphonsa, coordinator of the Thurumber Liberation Movement in Tamil Nadu, said: “The Dalit rite is the rite of the people. It would help Dalit Christians to experience the love of God without any discrimination.

The Dalits, or ancient untouchables, are considered the lowest of the ancient Hindu caste hierarchy. Many have converted to Christianity and Islam in recent centuries, but these religions offer limited protection against societal prejudice and discrimination.

Dalits among Catholics are currently spread across the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankare Churches and have repeatedly complained of being treated as outcasts in education, employment, vocation to the priesthood and appointment of bishops.

Some Catholics, however, fear that a separate rite will create “an invisible wall, a deep chasm” between Dalit Catholics and other members of the Church.

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