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Mission
This thesis traces the origin of the church to the mission of the son and the Holy Spirit.
This makes the church missionary by nature.
Acknowledging the plurality of religions and theologies and the church invites the
faithful to uphold the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and at the same time to discern Gods
salvific presence in other religions and cultures as well.
The thesis rightly points out the approach to mission has to be and integrated process,
incorporating inter religious dialogue, ecumenism, inculturation and establishing justice.
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Missions term for particular undertakings by the heralds of the gospel sent out by the
church going forth into the whole world, carrying out the task of preaching the gospel
and planting the church among the peoples or groups who do not yet believe in Christ.
The proper purpose of this missionary activity is evangelization.
2. In the context of the pluralism of religions and theology (LG 16, NA 1 -2)
The source of resurrection is ONE and the same but perceived differently and
experienced differently in the diverse religious traditions.
India is a country with pluralism of religions.
Variety of beliefs
Diverse doctrines
multiplicity of rites and cultures
In this context, catholic church in India faces the dual task of remaining faithful to its
beliefs and in the uniqueness of Christ and in discerning Gods salvific presence in the
plurality of religions and cultures
LG 16: Speaks of salvation of non Christians. Those who have not yet received the
gospel are related to the people of God in various ways.( Jews, Muslims, Hindus,
Atheists, tribals)
NA 1 : All human beings form one human community, having common origin and
common destiny. That is in God .
NA 2 : CC church rejects nothing that is true and holy in other religions. It exhorts
spiritual + moral goods of these religions must be acknowledged, promoted and
preserved.
3. The CC has to remain faithful to its beliefs in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ(Rm 5-8,
EA 10 -14) and continue his mission of making present Gods love and realize the divine
reign( EN 8,26,RM 13 -16) while discerning Gods alvific presence in the plurality of
religions and cultures( EA 15)
The uniqueness of Jesus Christ(Rm 5-8, EA 10 -14) (Christology)
Church while acknowledging the goodness in other religions ( LG 16,NA 1-2) affirms
the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in RM and EA.
Basing on Peters confession (Acts 4, 12) RM teaches there is no other name.( that is
there is salvation in no other name except Jesus Christ.)
Also it quotes Paul saying that - there is one God and One Mediator.( 1 Tim 2,5)
EA 10: Jesus is the highest gift that church can offer to the people of Asia. In this sense
mission is a privilege and duty of the church.
EA 11: Jesus is the God man who saves.
EA 12: Only in the person of Jesus does Gods word of salvation appear in all its
fullness.
EA 13 : Jesus Christ is the truth of humanity
EA 14: Uniqueness and universality of salvation in Christ.
Jesus Christ mains historys center and goal.
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Mission of making present Gods love and realize the divine reign( EN
8,26,RM 13 -16)
Jesus Christ through his life manifested Gods love ad his mission was to establish the
KOG.
During his earthly life and ministry the kingdom of god was his sole priority. Ex Mk
1,15: Jesus promises the kingdom. the manifesto of Jesus (Lk 4,16 -20) is the
actualization of the kingdom parable, his deeds, words, table fellowship, the prayer.
Our Father show his primary concern was to manifest Gods love and to realize the
divine reign.
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Any activity where the faith of the other (along with ones own) is respected/ taken
seriously is called IRD.
Here Christian faith is not to measure the faith of the other but to serve through dialogue.
Dialogue demands a rootedness in ones own faith and openness to the faith of the other.
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EA 33: speaks of the dignity of human person and encourages all to work towards the
promotion of human rights, justice peace etc.
(Moltman, lindbeck(Synod of Bishops 1971) EN, LE, SRS, Centiasimus Annus)
- EA 34: Preferential love for the poor and voiceless, because the Lord has identified
himself with them.
- EA 36 : work for health care(HIV,AIDs, etc)
- EA 37 : Education for all
- EA 38 : peacemaking among all.
- EA 40 : Condemns foreign debts, corruption, misappropriation of Public funds.
- EA 41 : Environmental( stewardship) protecting the environment and caring for the
earth.
Conclusion:
Challenges of Indian Mission:
a. Challenge of being church to serve and not to be served.
b. Challenge of prayer : whether Christian religious communities are centres of prayer and
contemplation.
c. Challenge of dialogue :
- With faith seekers discipleship witness.
- With the poor and the marginalized solidarity.
- People of different cultures inculturation
- People of different religious tradition IRD.
d. Empowering the poor Preferential option for the poor.
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