Root & Branch Zoom: After the Seminary – Becoming Human and Free for Mission Today
| AFTER THE SEMINARY – BECOMING HUMAN AND FREE for mission today. Fr. Augustine Vattoly Kerala, India. With Penelope Middelboe and Kochurani Abraham. |
| “I had the privilege to discover that Jesus was not in the seminary but outside.” Fr Augustine Vattoly resigned last September, not from the priesthood in Kerala, but from his duties as parish priest of St Augustine Church in Kadamakudy in southern Kerala’s Ernakulam district, voicing frustration at what he called the “rotting of the Church”. The social-activist Vattoly, as he is widely and affectionately known, has been outspoken in favour of the poor, the marginal and the dispossessed for many years now. Upon leaving the seminary, he says, “I had the the privilege of encountering women activists who contributed to the development of my conscience.” He also points out that he was privileged to get out of the mindset of the seminary, and to study where liberation theology was taught, to read a great deal, and to meet many people upon his journey who “helped me to become human.” |
| Thus he found himself fighting and leading people’s causes: Coca-Cola, for example, who were drawing huge amounts of water whilst village wells ran dry, and the ‘land scam’ protests against Cardinal George Allencherry, as well as fighting for the rights of the Dalit community. He founded SOS, Save Our Sisters, in an ongoing matter which Root & Branch has brought to a wider audience, the case of Bishop Franco Mullakal accused of raping a nun, which is still being fought in the courts. |
| He points out that, in contrast to the way that nuns are governed by the rules of their order and their bishops, as a parish priest you have far greater freedom. Once you leave the seminary you can more or less do whatever you like, provided only that you say Mass. Currently, he is supporting nurses striking for better pay at the archdiocese’s Catholic hospital. He led the march to outside the bishop’s house. Whereas 30-40% of his brother priests might have silently supported his protests against Bishop Franco to seek justice for Sr Ranit, he imagines that 95% of his brother priests would be against his march against the archdiocese’s flagship hospital. |
| Please join us for this remarkable opportunity to meet Vattoly, and to hear more about his journey, as he puts it, to becoming human and free, for mission today. With him, we’re delighted to welcome the noted feminist theologian, Kochurani Abraham, as well as Penelope Middelboe, both well-known to R&B gatherings. Penelope will be in conversation with Vattoly, and Kochu will be on hand to add her perspective and thoughts. We are blessed! |
| Please note our differing day and time to fit in with India’s time-zone. Delighted that this will make it easier for many of our friends in Oceania to attend. |
| Saturday 16 May 13.30 – 15.00 London Time 14.30 ROME 14.30 DURBAN 08.30 NEW YORK 05.30 LOS ANGELES 05.30 VANCOUVER 18.00 MUMBAI 20.30 PERTH 22.30 SYDNEY Sunday 17 May 00.30 WELLINGTON |