Sanyas inspires Syro-Malabar Church

KOCHI: The Church is taking lessons from Hinduism for the training of priests.

Christian priests with strong moorings in Hindu sanyas will lead the Church in the 21st century if the new ‘Charter for priestly formation in the Syro-Malabar Church’ is anything to go by.

The charter recommends an introductory course on sanyas in Hinduism in the second year orientation programme for the seminarians.

“This is a preliminary course on Hinduism in general. This course should help the seminarians to come into touch with the four ashrams of Indian tradition and to make them aware of the food habits of sanyasis,” says the charter.

It also suggests that minor seminaris should bring in Hindu sanyasis to give the future priests proper orientations in this line.

“Inputs in this regard by a learned and experienced sanyasi will be helpful for the seminarians to incorporate traditional Indian elements in his lifestyle,” it says.

A basic course on computer application and accountancy are the other highlights of the new guidelines for the priestly formation. Spoken English training, coaching for public speaking, a course on management and leadership also await the seminarians in the initial years.

The recommendations are being circulated among the clergy leadership and they will be discussed in the seminar on priestly formation at Mount St Thomas here which will begin on Wednesday. The seminar will give an outline for the new syllabus for priestly formation on the basis of the charter recommendation.

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