Dear Friends,
We would like to send you a copy of the 18th open letter sent by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to the Jesuit superior general in Rome regarding Fr. Pallath¡¦s case.
Readers are encouraged to write to the Jesuit superior general and call for an inquiry into Fr. Pallath¡¦s case.
For further information, including this letter and all details abut the case, please visit http://jjpallath.ahrchk.net.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission
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The 18th Open Letter to Jesuit Superior
(This is the 18th of a series of letters on the issues regarding the treatment of Fr. Pallath J. Joseph of the Kerala Province of Jesuits in India.)
February 4, 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
18TH 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. Joseph – REQUEST FOR AN INQUIRY: FORUM OF RELIGIOUS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE AND MOST RESPECTED VOICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN INDIA, FORMER SUPREME COURT JUDGE V. R. KRISHNA AYER, CALL FOR AN INQUIRY; A PROPOSAL OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE PROVINCE MEET
Dear Rev. Fr. General,
This time I bring to your attention the proposal of the Jesuit organising committee for the province meet in Kerala in 2001. Probably you are not aware of these proposals.
The details about the violations mentioned above have been stated and repeated in the earlier 17 letters to you. At their annual meeting last year, the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace (FORUM) 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 FORUM¡¦s recommendations was provided in my 14th letter to you.) Fr. Pallath has agreed to this proposal. 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 encourage the better side of all parties to deal with this complex problem. Such an outcome as recommended 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.
In addition, Justice Krisner Ayer, the most respected voice of conscience in the Indian subcontinent and a former Supreme Court judge in India, has added his voice of concern and support on this matter. The full letter issued by him was in our 17th letter to you.
Fr. Pallath¡¦s dismissal and other violations have been also a concern for the Jesuits themselves. In this 18th letter, we reproduce a copy of the proposal of the organising committee of the Province Meet 2001 of Kerala Province which reflects the situation in the province after Pallath¡¦s dismissal. The province meet is a gathering of all the members of the province once every four yours, i.e., once during the term of a provincial.
PROVINCE MEET 2001
Catholic Mission
Mattul
4-9-2001
Dear Fr. Provincial,
Greetings from the organising committee!
As part of the preparations and planning for the forthcoming Province Meet 2001, the organising team had a preliminary meeting at Sameeksha, Kalady, on 3-9-2001. All three of us shared in the group our understanding of the present state of the province with a view to plan out and organise the province meet effectively and meaningfully. We would like to summarise here what we have perceived from different quarters/persons in the province, and we would like this to be presented in the coming meeting of the superiors and CCA members so that we have better clarity and focus regarding the content and goal of our province meet.
The following are our observations:
(i) There is a strong feeling that the real problem the province is facing at present is centred on the dismissal of Fr. P. J. Joseph from the Society and its aftermath. If we do not sufficiently deal with this issue in the province meet, we envisage serious reactions from the members of the province for not dealing with issues that concern us. On the other hand, if we have to take up this issue in our meet, we have to do serious and systematic preparation and reflection at the community as well as regional levels prior to the meet. But this cannot be done within such a short period of time so we propose to have our province meet in April or May instead of December. Or we also propose that the get-together in December be a preparatory meeting for a more serious and meaningful province meet later.
(ii) Apart from the issue related to the dismissal of Fr. P. J. Joseph, there are persons in the province who feel deeply hurt and so find it difficult to communicate properly with the province administration. In a get-together like this, should we not lend our ears to them and have open dialogue with them and thus open up new avenues for better communication and cordiality among ourselves?
(iii) There is also a strong feeling that we lack a common vision at the province as well as community levels. As a result, many experience lack of proper orientation and enthusiasm in our ministries. On an occasion like the province meet, should we not reflect together and search for a common vision?
Of the three points mentioned above, we feel that the first two need immediate attention. In case you are keen to have the province meet in December itself, we propose to do it based on the theme ¡§The Role of Self-Awareness towards Better Union of Mind and Hearts¡¨ which would enhance self-awareness and facility for introspection among the province members. This workshop could help each one to get in touch with oneself and become aware how one was affected and how one responded when certain specific issues emerged in the province. Perhaps this could be a preliminary seminar cum workshop towards a full-fledged province meet in the near future with a view to foster a ¡§union of minds and hearts¡¨ in the province. One of the resource persons, like Paul Coutino, SJ, Joe Kunnumpuram, SJ, M. C. Abraham or Mathew Chemplany, SJ, could facilitate the sessions during the meet.
We would like you to consider our concerns and proposals and discuss with the consultors, superiors and CCA members and give us concrete guidelines as to the conduct of the meet.
Signed
Convenor of the organising committee¡¨
Once again, we urge you to respond positively to this call for an inquiry. Thank you for your further consideration to resolve Fr. Pallath¡¦s case.
