Dear Friends,
We would like to send you a copy of the 16th open letter sent by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to the Jesuit superior general in Rome regarding Fr. Pallaths case.
For further information, including this letter, please visit http://jjpallath.ahrchk.net.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission
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Sixteenth Open Letter to Jesuit Superior
(This is the sixteenth of a series of letters on the issues regarding the treatment of Fr. Pallath J. Joseph of the Kerala Province of Jesuits in India.)
September 17, 2001
An Open Letter to:
Rev. Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach
Superior General
Curia Generalize
Compagnia di Gesu
C.P. 6139
00195 Roma Prati ITALY
FAX: 39-06-686-8214
SIXTEENTH OPEN LETTER RE: Physical Assault, Slander through the Gutter Press, Filing of Fabricated Criminal Cases, Denial of Right to Livelihood and Other Matters Relating to Fr. Pallath J. JosephREQUEST FOR AN INQUIRY
Dear Rev. Fr. General,
The details about the violations mentioned above have been stated and repeated in the earlier 15 letters to you.
The Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace (FORUM) in their annual meeting called on everyone, including yourself, to take steps to settle the case of Fr. Pallath in a spirit of reconciliation by appointing a committee of inquiry that is acceptable to all parties. It was also suggested that all parties should accept the decision of this impartial committee. (The full text of the FORUMs recommendations was provided in my 14th letter to you.) Fr. Pallath has agreed to this suggestion. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) commends the FORUM for its courage to intervene in this matter and its wisdom in making these suggestions, and we urge you to take this opportunity in a spirit of reconciliation. The inquiry, as suggested, will provide an opportunity to study this matter thoroughly and to bring out the better side of all parties to deal with this complex problem. Such an outcome as suggested by the parties will also be helpful to the Catholic community and the human rights community in Kerala and to all those who are aware of this problem.
We would like to stress that the right to an inquiry is part of the humanism movement of our times. Without honouring this right, it is not possible to maintain human relationships in a decent and proper manner.
We are living these days through a tragedy, perhaps the worst in U.S. history. Elsewhere too there have been so many similar tragedies. This also reminds us that physical assaults on the human person, attacks on ones reputation and blackmail are despicable acts anywhere and more so among religious orders. To ignore complaints and requests for an inquiry is to condone such acts. That no inquiry has been held thus far into Fr. Pallaths case is evident from the fact that he nor any of his witnesses have been called before an inquiry.
Once again, we urge you to respond positively to this call for an inquiry.
Thank you for your further consideration to resolve Fr. Pallaths case.
