A group of experts, including Religious women, discussed gender issues within the Church, stressing the need for further dialogue and networking to help the victims.

“Gender Relations in the Church: A Call to Integrity and Justice,” was the theme of the Aug. 15 national convention that 24 men and women attended in Pune.

It was organized by Streevani, a Church-run center that works to empower women. The center, directed by Sister Helan Saldanha, runs regular programs and researches on issues concerning women in society and the Church.

Virginia Saldanha, former FABC Executive Secretary for Laity and Women, highlighted the basis for gender relations, vision of the Church in the light of Vatican ll and FABC documents.

Saldanha, a lay woman discussed problems in relationship between men and women in family, religious institutions and in the Church.

Saldanha drew the group’s attention to the deepening of gender crisis due to a culture of secrecy, which only silences the victim. In most cases victims are women, she said stressing the need for starting a dialogue with the Church hierarchy.

Other panelists were Brother Varghese, director of Montfort Social Institute in Hyderabad, Sister Teresa Peter, vice president of Sisters section of CRI, Raynah Braganza Passanha, secretary of Pune diocesan Women’s Commission and Father Jacob Parapally MSFS, president of Indian Theological Association.

They helped the consultation to look at gender issues from various perspectives.

The participants concluded that the consultation is the first step towards a sustained commitment and proactive participation in the Church’s initiative towards gender justice.

“We need to network and collaborate with families, institutions and religious structures to look at the issue from the victim’s perspective,” the convention said according to a report.

END

Source: reported by Sister Helen Saldanha

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