March 27, 2014
Founded in 1988, the Shimoga diocese was without a bishop after Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo was appointed to head the newly-created diocese of Udupi in 2012.
After a period of prolonged silence and suspense, the Pope announced Fr Francis Serrao the Bishop of Shimoga on March 19. The diocese with a population of over 2,40,000 comprises the civil districts of Shimoga, Chitradurga and Davangere.
Born on August 15, 1958, Jesuit Provincial Fr Francis Serrao (Karnataka Province) is the youngest in the family of eleven. Three of his brothers are priests and one a nun.
"We need priests today, who are witnesses rather than administrators or even preachers. If we do preach, it must be first with our life and then with our words," says Fr Francis Serrao while answering a volley of questions from Adolf Washington in this interview.
Excerpts:
1. The buzz-word among priests and laity is 'the Pope is making radical appointments of prelates and heads of international commissions to bring in a positive change in the Church. Your comments.
Pope Francis has made a very positive impact during this past one year on people of all faiths and none, with his simplicity, sincerity and saintliness. In his own way he has already brought about a change for the better in the way people perceive the Church and the Christian faith. I am sure he is guided by the motto of St Francis of Assisi to renew and re-build the Church in our times.
2. Jesuits are looked-upon as strong agents of social action. How do you see yourself in this new appointment?. The concrete tasks you envisage as Bishop.
It was about 40 years ago that our Supreme Legislative Body we call the General Congregation committed the whole Society of Jesus and each individual Jesuit to a decisive and unflinching commitment to the "service of faith and the promotion of justice". I have tried to live up to this in my own little way in all the ministries I have exercised. Now in my motto as Bishop SERVICE OF FAITH, FULLNESS OF LIFE I have tried to encapsulate this commitment which has become central to my ministry. I will certainly try to make it my guiding light in the new assignment that has been now given to me. I cannot list any concrete details right now since I am yet to go to the place of my assignment. But I assure you that with the help of God's grace, the cooperation of the Clergy and the faithful I will continue to give myself totally to the service of faith so that all may share in the fullness of life that Jesus brings.
3. You have been hailed by many as 'friend of the poor' from your past work-record. What is your understanding of ‘the 'poor'?
There is a very inspiring Jesuit in Chennai who in Jesuit circles is called "barefoot Jerry" because he has long ago shed his footwear and goes unshod everywhere even inside the Vatican. His pet phrase for the "poor" is "the last, the least and the lost". I subscribe to this definition of the poor. The poor are those who need us most. The poor are those who are physically disabled, psychologically depressed, spiritually hungry, educationally deprived and socially discriminated. The poor are those who are deprived of their human dignity on the basis of inhuman caste system, domineering class structures and oppressive gender discrimination.
4. There is a lurking fear in the Christian community in the country of fundamentalist forces taking over governance. How do we arrest that?
The fears and misgivings in the minds of the people just now are quite justified not only because of the ideology to which those who aspire to rule India subscribe to, but also because of their record when they were at the helm at the Centre and in the States. Here in Karnataka we have been witnesses of painful attacks on our churches and shrines. So we need to be on our guard. But that does not mean that we need to be afraid. We owe no one any apology for being Christians and Indians. This is our birthright and is enshrined in our Constitution. At the same time we must avoid demonizing those who attack us. They are also human beings like us even if their ideology sometimes blinds them and blunts their consciences. There is no substitute to dialogue in all its dimensions.
5. Statistics reveal that Chitradurga district suffers frequent draught and the economic-level of the people is abysmally low. Do you have plans for this district?
Let me first go to the diocese assigned to me and study the situation. The Church will not be able to wipe every tear from every eye. But the Church can certainly make some contribution to alleviate the sufferings of the people. It may be "widow's mite" but it is important. The Church cannot and must not try to take on herself the responsibilities of the Government. However, it should surely collaborate with it in this important work of bringing a ray of sunshine into the lives of people otherwise left in the darkness!
6. The diocese of Shimoga feels the need for greater concentration on establishment of professional colleges and uplift of the youth, urban and rural. Your plans.
Education as you know is one of the most powerful tools of emancipating and empowering the poor. When I was the rector of St Aloysius College, Mangalore and during the past five years as the Provincial Superior of the Karnataka Jesuit Province it was my privilege to help establish a Jesuit College in the diocese at Harihar. May be these ventures can be replicated elsewhere in the diocese in the years to come. Vision is there. What we need is the landing gears! Let us see.
7. There was a prolonged silence and suspense over the appointment of a Bishop of Shimoga. What were your immediate feelings as Jesuit on hearing of your appointment?
It may be difficult for people to believe but I was totally taken by surprise. I never expected this appointment. As a Jesuit I have taken a vow not to aspire for such positions. The very first time I came to know about this was on 7 March 2014. Not even the faintest inkling before that. Hence you can imagine my feelings. But then the same Society of Jesus which enjoins on us not to aspire for positions of power also teaches us that when the Superior's mind is clear, then we have to obey willingly and joyfully. That is what I did.
8. The Pope has recently focused much attention on 'sex scandals in the Church' and 'financial scams'. How would you as prelate address this issue in the Indian Context?
We need to make a clear distinction between unfounded allegations and credible accusations. Anybody can accuse anyone else of any crime just to slander and culminate. However, if there is credible evidence that the allegations may be well founded then there are well laid down rules and procedures even here in India, under the aegis of the CBCI which would need to be adhered to.
9. You have been involved in formation of priests. What ails seminary formation today? Do you see a need for greater thrust in certain areas?
My limited experience in formation has been mostly that of the Jesuits. Hence I would not consider myself to be well placed to comment upon the formation of the diocesan seminarians. Now that this new mission has been given to me I will certainly have to take greater interest in the formation of seminarians. All the same I can say that we need today priests who are witnesses rather than administrators or even preachers. If we do preach it must be first with our life and then with our words. Secondly, we the priests need to genuinely ask ourselves if in our life 'Martha' is dominating over 'Mary'! If the answer is in the affirmative then we need to radically look into our structures of formation and the life-style of the ordained priests.
10. The Pope has named 'calumny, defamation and misinformation' and equated them with mortal sins. Do you see traces of this in the Indian secular and Christian Media?
One cannot generalize. But it is an unfortunate fact that Indian media sensitivity to truth, efforts to verify facts and respect for the good name of people seems to be somewhat lacking. We need greater professionalism in our media.
11. Many media organizations in the Church have frequently voiced a lack of attention given to their needs and concerns and a subtle 'indifference of prelates towards the media. Your take on this.
I am not in a position to pronounce a definitive opinion on this except to say that the Church in India as a whole needs greater exposure to the media, greater knowledge of the media and greater sensitivity towards the media. In a democratic country like ours media is a powerful tool today of education, communication and creating public opinion. We can no more belittle its importance nor ignore it.
12. The Pope has on several occasions voiced concerns for simplicity of life-style among bishops, priests and religious. What would be your message to priests and seminarians?
I would not presume to give any message to priests and seminarians. But I will say one thing. I myself am greatly inspired by the Pope's example which perfectly matches his pronouncements. I myself would like to follow the Pope's example of simplicity, charity, humility and humanity.