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Bhopal, 6 July 2009: Christians held a symbolic
protest prayer meeting, (Sad-Budhi Prarthana Sabha), in
front of St. Joseph Girls Senior Secondary School at
Idgah Hills, Bhopal. The School is being run by the
religious organization called "St. Joseph Sisters of
Chamery". The meeting was organized by Christian Adhikar
Manch, Bhopal. The school authorities were not
authorities available for comments.
The organizers said that it is organized to pray to God
to improve the behaviour of the administration which is
in the focus of attention for their bad behaviours. It
is nothing new but over one decade this school has
become a curse to the Christian community. It has
defamed the Christian community and Lord Jesus Christ.
We find that some schools began to adopt their bad
manners. We want to tell them that these schools are run
in the name of the Christian community and the
Christians will no more tolerate these bad behaviours
that affect the Christian community.
Mrs. Sheela Shantiago, President, Christian Adhikar
Manch said, "the meeting of Bishops and catholic church
leaders held Bangalore in 1976 decided to adopt
education as one of the missions to spread the Love of
Lord Jesus who died on the Cross for this. The schools
run by the catholic church has become a counter witness
to this and this school is the epicentre of all such
misbehaviours with people.”
The organizers said that Christian community runs a
number of institutions in the state which imparts formal
and informal education. We are proud to say that all
these institutions are rendering self less service to
the mankind regardless of religion and caste. But due to
these few schools whole service of those dedicated
people too are under question.
Mrs. Rajni Rawate, Secretary of the Organization, said,
"Christian community is doing a lot of services in the
interior villages for the upliftment of the poor but due
to these few people the whole community is under
question. We believe that these persons are chosen by
God to lead a dedicated life for God and people. So this
prayer meeting is organized seek God's blessing for
them. We believe that only God can save this condition.”
The organizers have given separate memorandum to
Archbishop Dr. Leo Cornelio and Principal of the school.
The issues raised in the memorandum are i) The
principals must behave properly with Christians in
general and those who are devoted to the Church to
protect its rights must be given due respect in the
schools. ii) The principals must meet people politely ,
we mean reject admissions, correct children, parents and
staff with due respect to their dignity. iii) The
non-teaching staff including the watchmen must be told
to behave well with people because many are annoyed with
way that they treat them and it is badly affecting the
Christian community. iv) The Catholic teachers are not
properly treated in our schools they are not given
promotions and other benefits are not given in due time.
So a committee be set up to look into the plight of the
Christian staff in the schools. The catholic teachers
are not coming forward to seek justice due to fear of
targeted by the sisters and parish priests. v) The lay
peop
le have no representation in the Catholic education
board set up in the diocese and in the state, we want
our representation. vi) These schools are run by the
priests and sisters in the name of the Catholic Church,
and we are part of the Catholic Church so we want our
representation to be in the managing committee of the
schools. vii) We would like to have a meeting with all
the principals of the catholic schools in Bhopal
district along with you to discuss our problems.
Coordinator Jerry Paul said, "the unchristian way their
dealing with people have defamed the whole community.
Former Principal of this school Sr. Francis Joseph is
known for her misbehaviour with people. She has a Ph.D
in this. The present Principal Sr. Lilly is following
her way. The prayer meeting organized today is only a
symbolic one. We may have to organize such meeting
in-front of such schools which are defaming the
Christian community and Lord Jesus.”
The memorandum asks "the principal to behave properly
with people politely, we mean reject admissions, correct
children, parents and staff with due respect to their
dignity, the non-teaching staff including the watchmen
must be told to behave well with people because many are
annoyed with way that they treat them and it is badly
affecting the Christian community." It also asks for the
inclusion of Catholic representatives in the school
administration.
We want these schools to be kind with people who are
coming to meet them, their watchmen and other staff too
are misbehaving with people, the schools are made for
the Christian community and the members of this
community is not given any consideration, our children
are not given subjects as per their choice, etc. We
think that divine intervention is needed to change their
mind. If our prayer meetings do not work then we may be
forced launch more such protests.
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