Tinto Kollamparambil CST
Introduction
Women are blessings for family and society. It is because of their dedication and commitment many families have a happy atmosphere. They are indeed working from morning to late night. Harriet Morgan would say, “A strong woman is someone who is able to smile this morning like she wasn’t crying last night.” She is always trying to have positivity in her works and dealings. Woman’s motherly nature is such that she is able to find out the needs of each member of her family and respond to it accordingly. She forgets her own needs and tries to fulfil the needs of others without any complaints. For example, whenever I go home, my mother is ready with sweets and delicious meals, which I like. It shows her kindness and affection for me.
I know many of my friends who are close to their mothers than fathers. The reason would be their openness and motherly touch. A mother is ready to forgive if any of her children do anything wrong. It is also true that we approach our mothers to present before father for any of our needs and wants. The previous health minister of Kerala, K.K Shilaja, is an example before us. She was meeting families and conducting various camps during the pandemic.[1] Her quick action and apt decisions really made her name famous. If we look around us, there will be women working like Shilaja Teacher without demanding anything. The contributions of religious sisters are also a boost for society and hope for the new generation.
Even though we have seen the good aspects of women, there are certain things that put them under control. The patriarchal attitudes and values always played hell for them. This false ideology created against women is still prevalent in our society. It is out of ignorance that many men continue to treat women according to oppressive social customs. Who is there to change this concept? It remains a silent question in our midst. Jesus had a different outlook on women. He never blocked them, was never hesitant to give the blessing, never harassed them or teased them but had compassion. We see many women disciples following Jesus in his life and during his death on the cross. It is to a woman Jesus appeared after his resurrection. However, we know that this mentality is missing from our churches. If we want to know how good a local church is, we should see how it can end violence against women.[2] It is true to the core. Often, the Church is silent and stands with the perpetrator’s position than the victim. But gradual developments are happening after the arrival of Pope Francis. So, through this paper, I would like to share the issues faced by women in our churches from a comprehensive perspective of women issues in India.
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Issues faced by women in India
In India, women, particularly socially disadvantaged women, are considered the most vulnerable in our society. They are looked down and are never allowed to come to the forefront of society. There are many laws enacted for women’s empowerment. For instance, Laws passed by the British East India Company and British Raj are Bengal Sati Regulation in 1829, Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act in 1856, Female Infanticide Prevention Act in 1870, and Age of Consent Act in 1891. The Constitution of India promotes equality, dignity, and freedom from discrimination; additionally, various statutes govern women’s rights. But many women continue to face major difficulties like malnutrition, sexual violence, freedom of choice, etc. What is the reason behind this oppression? India is a traditional country; therefore, the gender disparity is built into the value system of our people. Consequently, it is difficult to come out of these barriers. It is necessary to shatter these shackles of tradition to free women from bondage and help them participate in our country’s public and developmental programmes.
1.1 ‘Lal Salam’ – Men’s voice
Participation of women in India is minimal from the days of freedom, while women’s participation is increasing in other countries. Psychological obstacles, economic hurdles, and socio-cultural barriers are restricting women’s effective participation. If we look at the Women’s representation in Raja Sabha, it is only 29 seats out of 232.[3]Women representation in Lok Sabha is also less, 78 seats out of 544 seats.[4]The choosing of women leaders also changes from place to place. In some places, women are elected on account of education, popularity, concern, etc. Most often, those women leaders who come to the authoritarian level of society will be restricted by the male leaders. Men will try to infuse their interests and prevent from self decision-making. As a result, many women are not free to say from their heart Lal salam.[5]
1.2 You are not a “Man”
Jawaharlal Nehru once said, ” You could tell the nation’s condition by looking at the status of its women.”[6] Today, Inequality from womb to tomb is a common phenomenon in India. However, India had a golden era (Vedic Era) where women enjoyed equal prestige and status. Things changed thereafter.[7]Even though Some open-minded citizens like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and others worked for the wellbeing of women, the mentality towards women remains the same in many places of India. India is the only large country where more girls die than boys.[8] It is because of the freedom, status, and prestige missing for female children compared to male children.[9]Females often face extensive limitations on their ability to move freely and make decisions affecting their work, education, marriage, and social relationships.
With the prevalence of gender discrimination, and social norms and practices, girls become exposed to the possibility of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child domestic work, poor education and health, sexual abuse, exploitation, violence, etc.
1.3 Missing the “Wills”
In India, women are “viewed” as somebody who is naturally tasked to take care of his family against her will. She is “expected” to give up her career to make time for family and the household chores. As a result, it is not out of her freedom she acts but out of the force. There are also many atrocities happening against the will of women. She is not safe on the roads, in villages, even in homes. It is a fact that, In India, rape is reported every 15 minutes.[10]
Female foeticide, domestic violence, honour killing, witchcraft-related murders, and dowry deaths are the forms of gender-based violence. The reason behind these issues would be son preference, low status of women, social and financial security associated with sons, socio-cultural practices including dowry & violence against women, small family norms etc.
1.4 “Home Alone”
Most often, women are seen as the object or care-taker of the home. She should satisfy the needs of the husband’s parents, husband, and children. In some places, she is not encouraged to go shopping. Many women, therefore, think that marriage is the end of their freedom. Few parents give higher education to their daughters, while many get their daughters engaged as soon as they complete preliminary education. Early marriage interrupts a woman’s formal education, leads to early motherhood. Therefore, only 27% of adult Indian women had a job or were actively looking for one.
Since many women are in their homes, they have to face much harassment from home as well as society. According to the PTI report, Domestic violence cases in India increased since the March 24 lockdown in 2020, with husbands venting their frustration on wives who have no escape from their abusers.[11]So, she continues to remain as a silent sufferer without any solace in her home and society.
1.5 No Life beyond home
Ancient India – women enjoyed a higher status.[12]Later at the time of Manusmriti, religious fundamentalists denied education to girls and women. After independence, the university education commission laid particular emphasis on women education. Education is free for girls up to the higher secondary stage, and several states have made education free for girls right up to the university level as well.[13]The literacy rate of women is increasing in India, but many women are still locked up in the traditional norms. For them, birth, home, marriage, second home and death became the life cycle.
1.6 Dos and Don’ts
Society says who a woman should be! Being born as women, they have to face many rules and regulations. If we ask many women, they won’t be satisfied with their life. Today things are gradually changing. But for the past decades, only a few could enjoy their life[14] without specific limitations. Therefore, we can put women’s lives in this way: freedom is curtailed, feelings are suppressed, decisions are destroyed, will is killed, and intellect is falsified with a patriarchal mindset. Therefore, women should come out from these physical, spiritual, psychological, and mental barriers to gain equal status in society.
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Issues faced by women in the Church
As we have seen the issues faced by women in India, let us move to the second chapter. Since Church is also part of the society, whatever is carried out in the society will have a ripple effect on the Church’s members. So, the social mindset will be influencing here too. For instance, many a time, women are given second class status in our society. The same ideology is continuing in some Churches also. Along with this, giving importance to the opinions of women is missing in our churches. The patriarchal nature of the Church restricts freedom for women in the Church, especially things regarding entering the sanctuary. I have identified some of these issues after having a dialogue with my companions in various places. I thank for their support and guidance to complete this paper. So let us see the issues in detail
2.1 Women under Clericalism
Clericalism is connected with “superiority”. It is a mindset that makes the priests think that they are “better than others”. In his 2018, in a “Letter to the People of God,” Pope Francis condemned these sins of sexual abuse and the abuse of power in the Church. He linked those sins to clericalism.”[15] To say no to abuse is to say an emphatic no to all forms of clericalism. If we look at the Church, women suffer because of the clerical abuses in the Church. Many incidents are kept hidden so that Church should not go through shame. In recent times many such issues have been raised in Kerala Church. It shows us that the interest of women is not respected; sometimes, they are humiliated. It is the parish priest who controls the parish Church. Whatever he decides will be the final verdict. Therefore, many priests do not want women participation in the sanctuary as altar servants during mass. Women are also not allowed to enter the sanctuary in some places.
2.2 “No voice, No Respect”
Women are ever ready to contribute to the needs of the Church. Sometimes they are not recognized for their effort and contribution. Instead, they are silenced and not given proper respect. In some places, women were also not given chances to speak in the Church. Women’s opinions are not highly appreciated, and sometimes it is not recorded in the minutes. Verbal abuses from the clerics make their life miserable. Many widows also suffer in the Church because of the bad-omen attributed to them. It forces them to live a secluded life.
2.3 Excluded group!
The Church lacks theological education/courses for women, theological voices to stand with women and acknowledge the contributions of women and other socially excluded groups. The spiritual gifts of women are not recognized sometimes. Gender policies are missing in local parishes.
Women are not encouraged to take up leadership roles in the Church.[16] Most of the time, the parish priest controls the parish, and again they have to wait for his consent. Some churches do not offer equal opportunity for women becoming members in the local committee or leaders in the various movements like the mission league in the Church.
2.4 Equality is Missing
The major discrimination based on gender is their exclusion from ordination and all the offices contained therein. The maleness of Christ rather than his humanity is emphasized, putting women on a plane lower than men. Even within the category of the non-ordained, women and men do not enjoy equal rights. Only men, including married men, can be ordained as deacons.[17]It also divide men from women in a sacramental hierarchy.
2.5 Not a Slave but Partner
Today, women play various roles in the Church as teachers, helpers, organisers, leaders, counsellors, etc. In the past, it was not the case. Even though women desire to come to the fore front of the parish, the parish priest often denies their suggestions and contributions.
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Issues faced by Religious Women in the Church
Religious are the backbone of the Church. Their prayers, charity works, and social works strengthen the Church over many years. But many a time, they are not recognized or given a proper place in the Church. They are treated as the handmaid of the clerics. Having discussed the issues faced by women in the Church, let us specifically identify the issues faced by religious women in terms of discrimination, clericalism, disrespect, etc.
3.1 “Not paid, not helped”
Religious sisters are always helping parishes for their smooth running. They are in the forefront in collecting children for various programmes, conducting seminars and awareness meetings etc. But many a time, they are paid less or not paid. They do sacristy work without any fail. But the vicar has no concern and respect for them. Often sisters have to take care of the guests of the vicar[18], taking money from their accounts. Needs and demands from the parish priest are many, but in return, they have not given any money to meet the requirements. It may be buying flowers for the alter decoration, buying various things for the Church, etc.
3.2 “Puppet for clerics”
Many parish priests tend to see women religious as handmaids to carry out orders and fall in line with their vision of what Christian life in the parish should be. If this does not happen, they feel disappointed and frustrated. Sisters are often humiliated by negative criticism from the pulpit. They are ridiculed before the public if anything goes wrong. The professional and personal competence of sisters is ignored sometimes. They are not invited for visiting places, outings, etc. Harassment of sisters in their pastoral/ apostolic engagements is no less. Seminarians often see sisters as mere menial labour force and get used to ordering them around. Many women’s congregations usually comply submissively to what the bishops desire, thinking it is the patriarchal and hierarchical Church that has to have the last right word in what has to be.
3.3 Barrier of rules and norms
Many congregations are traditional in their outlook. As a result, many congregations desire to keep the traditional rules and customs. They do not want to change anything according to the changing times, even though it demands. Therefore we see many of our religious women companions have no personal mobile phones, no permission to for outing, no entertainment, not much relation with family, no freedom, and no inner joy and satisfaction. These things lead to an unhappy life; growing frustration and complaints from religious sisters are examples. All these situations destroy each person’s original spirit, the vocation she received to be a faithful evangelizer before the Lord.
3.4 “Made orphan and made poor”
Property issues are prevalent in the Church. Church authorities take away the properties of sisters without any compensation. Sisters are often helpless to resist these demands of the Bishop. The fear of banning sacraments in their convents and not coming to celebrate vestition and final vows makes them voiceless to speak against Bishop even if the bishop is on the wrong. They have only their hope in the Lord for solace and joy.
Conclusion
Women are not property whom anybody can use it. For long years, Indian women had significantly lower status and prestige. They even feared going out alone. There was a time when they spent their days and nights within the four walls of their homes. But today, things are gradually changing because of the feminist movement. Even though there are various movements to uplit women in India, they face many inequalities, sexual harassment, verbal abuse, rape, and domestic violence. They are helpless before the patriarchal norms and structures. The does and don’ts of society restrict their freedom and choices. Since the Church is also an institution in society, the social influences are not that low in the Church. Church also continues to treat women as society dictates. Clericalism, discrimination, and verbal harassment are rather common in the Church. The attitude of the priest towards women is not that good sometimes. They are not given any privileges in sacraments; alter services, and other rituals in the Church. They are often neglected and kept aside by priests.
Women suffer, particularly, religious women suffer more in the Church. Lay women have their choices to get away from the Church, but religious women do not have this. As a result, they have to say yes to the demands of the clergy without saying no. They will be asked to work day and night in the Church without the parish priest’s help. Often they become the victims of verbal harassment. They are humiliated in public and sometimes from the pulpit itself. As a result, their lives become miserable, and they lose hope in the Church. When women religious are not treated as equals, the Church fails to radiate her beauty in its fullness. As St. Paul says, “If one of the members suffers, Christ suffers.” Women are also members of the Church. If she suffers, Christ suffers.[19] Therefore we need to eradicate our prejudices and false mentalities to work with women. As I said, we should not inflict pain on Jesus by harassing our women co-workers.
Notes:
[1]K.K. Shailaja ‘Teacher’ has been appreciated worldwide for her approach towards curbing the pandemic. She was named ‘Top Thinker of The Year’ by Prospect, a UK based Magazine. She was also included in the list of ‘Most Influential Women of the Year’ by Financial Times. (Source from https://feminisminindia.com/2021/05/14/kk-shailaja-teacher-kerala-profile/, accessed on 14 Oc,2021)
[2]– Blog, https://assessmentunit1.weebly.com.html (accessed on 14.09.2012).
[3] parliament of India Rajayasabha, https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/member_site/women.aspx.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).
[4]Bhanupriya Rao, BehanBox,https://behanbox.com/2020/06/29/women-mps-in-lok-sabha-how-have-the-numbers-changed.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).
[5]Lal Salam ( transl. “Red salute”) is a salute, greeting, or code word used by Communists in South Asia. The word lal means “red” in Hindustani; salam means “peace” and is an Arabic word for a greeting. In some cases the equivalent phrase Surkh Salam (Urdu: سرخ سلام) is used interchangeably. (Source – Wikipedia contributors, “Lal Salam,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lal_Salam&oldid=1036614722.html (accessed October 25, 2021).)
[6] Status of women in India, https://www.toppr.com/guides/essays/essay-on-status-of-women-in-india.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).
[7] In the ancient India women were held in high esteem and the the position of a woman in the Vedas and the Upanishads was that of a mother (maata) or goddess (Devi). In the Manusmriti, woman was considered as a precious being and in the early Vedic age, girls were looked after with care. Then practice of polygamy deteriorated the status of woman and in the medieval period, the practices of purdha system, dowry and sati came into being. With the passage of time, the status of woman was lowered. After the development of science and technology, female foeticide is being practiced on a large scale. This has led to a drop in the female ratio. According to the census 2001, the sex ratio in India is 927 females to 1,000 males. And then dowry have become common and started Female infanticide practices in few areas.
[8]Gender equality | UNICEF India, https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/gender-equality.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).
[9]In India, male child has more freedom compared to females.
[10]National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from 2018
[11] India Today, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/domestic-abuse-cases-rise-as-lockdown-turns-into-captivity-for-many-women-1661783-2020-03-31.html(accessed on 10.10.2021).
[12]During the Vedic Period women enjoyed a fair amount of freedom and equality. The Vedic Period can be best be termed as the period of feminine glory and prestigious life. Women participated in all sphere like men. Even Rig Veda has hymns composed by women and women sages existed. Therefore, the Rig-Vedic society was a free society. (Source – Umara Zainab, Did Women In Early India Really Enjoy A ‘High Status’? https://feminisminindia.com/2018/07/10/women-in-early-india-status/.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).)
[13]Female enrollment and employment of teachers in school …. http://www.tejasviastitva.com/female-enrollment-and-employment-of-teachers-in-school-education-in-undivided-andhra-pradesh-y-ramakrishna-and-prof-d-pulla-rao.html(accessed on 10.10.2021).
[14] Not in sexual pleasure but enjoying the world, travelling here and there.
[15] Letter of Pope Francis to people of God, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2018/documents/papa-francesco_20180820_lettera-popolo-didio.html.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).
[16]5 Must-read Leadership Books for Women Leaders. https://www.thehrdigest.com/5-must-read-leadership-books-for-women-leaders/.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).
[17]The power of religion over women in India, Global Sisters …. https://www.globalsistersreport.org/column/equality/power-religion-over-women-india-43236.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).
[18]An ecclesiastical agent, often called priest.
[19] Letter of Pope Francis to people of God, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2018/documents/papa-francesco_20180820_lettera-popolo-didio.html (accessed on 10.10.2021).
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Well reflected