India: Theologians study impact of Covid on Church

ITA group picture

After a three year Covid break with only online encounters, around 40 members of the Indian Theological Association (ITA) met in person at the National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre(NBCLC), Bangalore, for their 44th Annual Meet and conference from 26th -29th April 2022.

The theme of the conference being 'The Pandemic Challenges to the Indian Church: A Theological Response', the deliberations began with critical reflections on the debilitating impact of the pandemic on the marginalized sections of the society.

After analyzing the Covid situation from the social and anthropological perspectives, the challenges of the pandemic were examined first from the biblical point of view.

'Theology in an endangered world' was the focus of theologizing on Covid 19 and its aftermath and its ecclesial implications were drawn by looking into the challenges posed by the pandemic to the Indian Church. Further, the response of the Indian Church was critically assessed and new avenues for pastoral action were spelt out. The resource persons included Dr Prakash Louis SJ, Dr Maya M, Dr Jacob Naluparayil MCBS, Dr Felix Wilfred, Dr Evelyn Monteiro SCC, and Dr Jacob Peenikaparambil CMI. Critical interactions with the resource persons and constructive discussions in groups helped to take the theologizing forward.

Election of a new team of office bearers has marked this event. A Alangaram SJ was elected the president, Evelyn Monteiro SCC as the vice-president, Victor Edwin SJ as the secretary and Rajesh Kavalackal CMI as the treasurer. Other executive committee members in the new team include Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, Fr Paul Inje and Fr Bilju Vazhappally and Jacob Parappally MSFS .

Two books of the earlier conferences namely Whither India? Theological Responses (edited by Raj Irudaya and Kochurani Abraham) and The Church in India Today: Credibility and Witness (edited by PT Mathew and Davis Varayilan) were released at this conference.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to live the theological mission of the Indian Church prophetically and pastorally, in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic.