Mgr Menamparampil is among the speakers at the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, Philippines. He was also a conflict mediator between various ethnic groups. He told AsiaNews about the value of the Congress for the Catholic Church in Asia and how people can bear witness the Gospel today, even amid tensions and violence of those who "hate us." "with the same pain in our hearts that we descend to our depths during a Eucharistic adoration."

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – “In Asia, prayer gatherings draw larger crowds than sports events or entertainments of any sort. This is the best answer to militant atheists who keep arguing that religion is dying out. At a massive prayer-event the rich and the poor become equal”, says Mgr Thomas Menamparampil, Archbishop of Guwahati and Apostolic Administrator of Jowai in India, speaking about the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu. The Archbishop acted as mediator in the conflict between the various ethnic groups and declares that “silent worship is just what Asians value most in religion” and for it “Eucharistic adoration breathes a sense of mystery.”

“We would best witness to the Gospel in Asia”, says, “if we should be able enter into the mental state of Jesus who felt abandoned as he was close to his death in order to understand the inner agony of those who feel abandoned by society, even by their families and intimates in certain painful contexts.  The cry of the poor is the cry of Jesus on the Cross”.

The role od dialogue with religions, which it doesn’t mean sit together to have “a cup of the”, but “it is ongoing relationship, mutual education, stimulating cooperation.” The Christian Inculturation should not become “like an artificial face-makeup, but it is the life-giving touch of Christ.” Archbishop Menamparampil’s interview with AsiaNews follows:

Excellency, what is the meaning of the International Eucharistic Congress for the Church in Asia?

Silent worship is just what Asians value most in religion. Eucharistic adoration makes profound meaning for them as it breathes a sense of mystery. It stands for depth in their understanding. The external ceremonies and solemnity are less important in their perception. What is Important is to delve behind the meaning of those rituals.

For believing Asians, all activities derive their strength and motivation from their relationship with the Ultimate. Mahatma Gandhi began the more serious part of his political career in an Ashram with regular habits of prayer. When he taught nonviolence from a prayer context it appealed to the nation. With the tools of nonviolence sharpened, he could go ahead more confidently into his struggle for his country's independence.

How do we witness to the Gospel in Asia in our times?

I think we would best witness to the Gospel in Asia when we join the rest of local society in seeking to address the problems of the day. "We also evangelise when we attempt to confront the various challenges which can arise (EG 61)," says Pope Francis.              

Addressing a human need with a sense of commitment is the primary duty for a Christian. "You yourselves give them something to eat," said Jesus to his disciples who wanted to withdraw before an actual human need. I would not limit this way of addressing the needs of the poor to merely to food and drink, medicine and blankets; but also to encouraging words and supportive fellowship, to contextual wisdom and a vision for the future, reassuring forgiveness and dreams that people consider impossible. 

The sigh of the helpless is closely linked to the loud "groans and tears" (Heb 5:7) of Jesus in Gethsemane. We should be able to keep close to him in his agony in the anguish of deprived slum dwellers, marginalised ethnic groups, exploited Dalit villagers; in the uncertainties of mentally confused young people.  

We should be able enter into the mental state of Jesus who felt abandoned as he was close to his death in order to understand the inner agony of those who feel abandoned by society, even by their families and intimates in certain painful contexts.  The cry of the poor is the cry of Jesus on the Cross.

I would say the best evangelisers today are those who have developed the skill of building bridges to individuals and communities, not necessarily those who are over-confident about their message and their methods, or those who speak from a moral high ground, or are specialised in denouncing others. 

The best missionaries are those who know how to relate with cultures, communities, heritages,  and collective identities with intelligence; and how to deal with resentful individuals, inward-looking ethnic groups, angered societies, vengeful radicals, with attention, respect and sensitivity. 

The best evangelisers are those who accept the most pressing problems of the day as the starting for sharing a relevant message, suggesting realistic solutions, and sustaining hope when all human solutions fail. There they have a chance to point beyond!

What would you say about dialogue with religions?

The problem with us is that we seem to limit Dialogue to an academic exercise. How many dialogue sessions end up as a ritual, concluding with a cup of tea! But if the dialogue is about the most pressing problems of society at a given moment, it comes to life. Each one draws strength from his/her own source of inspiration, but its worth is weighed according to its relevance to the anxiety they share. One's words acquire convincing power in proportion to their applicability to the context. 

Even the best proposals may be rejected, but the sense of what is right remains, and it may acquired greater respectability when the situation makes its rightness evident. 

But this is just one aspect dialogue. In fact, dialogue is ongoing relationship, it is mutual education, it is stimulating cooperation. It is about creating a sense co-belonging. In these times of mutual exclusion, mild hostility, and even absolute hatred between communities, religious groups and civilizational blocs, dialogue of respect and relationship is just what is needed. 

In a highly secularized, market-driven, value-neutral, materialistic world, sincere followers of various religious traditions must come together and inspire and help each other.

Religious dialogue ascends to new heights when it concerns itself with actual religious experiences. Everyone is deeply edified when he/she hears the description of an actual religious experience in another tradition. An encounter with the divine is life-transforming. In this era of vanishing and values and absence of moral convictions, we seek assistance from persons of every persuasion to help. Jesus somehow interests more people than we think, if only his real face is made manifest.

Mgr Menamparampil, what do you think about the ongoing process of Inculturation among Asian tribal cultures?

I am cautious about speaking on Inculturation as a sort of surgical operation or genetic engineering. I would consider it rather as a happy encounter between two sets of human experiences. 

The historical and social experiences of a particular tribe will have given shape to an identity to a community with its own worldview and values. If any community feels its identity or heritage threatened, it goes on the defensive. Today it is happening all over the world. If a community perceives an increase of threat, its defence may take a radical shape. 

Christian Inculturation should not become something like an artificial face-makeup or a decorative adaptation. It is the life-giving touch of Christ, a stimulating encounter with his message, where what is best in a tradition begins to flower in a new and amazing way. If there are areas of self-correction or instances of sharing elements from other faith-communities, these can only be in the context of the growth of the community in keeping with its original genius. 

That evangeliser helps best who knows how to bring to life what is best in a community's values and traditions. 

And what do you say about the missionary’s commitment to the poor?

My answer is simple: when you run short of generosity, draw close to the poor. Their needs will stir in your generosity. They will multiply your energies. They will empower you to do amazing things. No wonder, Mother Teresa used to say, "The poor are our teachers."  St. Vincent de Paul had some similar expression. 

In an earlier question I had already spoken about the various needs of the poor. Let me add one more dimension. I have a feeling that those who are poorest are those who are most distant from God. In this year of mercy, we come close them and help them to rediscover their way to God. 

And how do you deal with huge social problems?

Let me add a new category: those who oppose us, hate our beliefs and values, and harass and persecute us beyond endurance. I agree that we have every right to put the entire strength of law and the weight of public opinion in self defence. Any yet we have the duty to identify ourselves with them too. 

As the victim is our brother/sister, so is the aggressor. It is thinking about him that Christ cried and shed tears in the Garden and writhed in pain on the cross. It is with the same pain in our hearts that we descend to our depths during a Eucharistic adoration. If these things do not form a part of our inner struggle, our Eucharistic devotion lacks depth. 

The powers of evil are defeated only when they are driven out of the inner world of our brother/sister. Historic wounds cannot be healed by immediate persuasion. But putting our weight on the path of persuasion, we hasten the coming of the Kingdom. I am sure many will not agree with me. 

These are beyond practical possibilities, but our evangelisation becomes convincing only when people see that we know how to look beyond the horizon, that we are people of faith, that ultimate realities of which we speak are are living force with us. Let us keep believing in the impossible and striving towards it as a witness to our faith

Finally, does the Congress push forward the mission of the Christians in Asia?

In Asia, prayer gatherings draw larger crowds than sports events or entertainments of any sort. This is the best answer to militant atheists who keep arguing that religion is dying out. At a massive prayer-event the rich and the poor become equal. There they recharge their energies for another round of generous service. In this sense, the International Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines can help to revive the faith of the Catholics in that country and motivate all who gather there to return home and bear witness to their faith with redoubled spiritual strength.

(Nirmala Carvalho contributed)

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• Philippines
• International Eucharistic Congress
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• Asia