Chhotebhai
Dilution, Clericalism, overshadow National Syntheses
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 05-Oct-2022
The Synod on Synodality was kick-started in October 2021.The first phase, the national level, was to conclude by 15th August 2022 and the National Syntheses (NS) were to be sent to the Synod Secretariat at the Vatican. A communiqué from Rene Reid, Direct.....
Bells, Flags and Nectar
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 02-Sep-2022
Bell – Flags - Nectar The Amrit Mahotsav is over. This 15th August I had to hoist the flag at one event and arrange for it at another. At both events I spoke on the “Har Ghar Tiranga” (The Tricolour in Every home) campaign. My first thoughts went bac.....
Is Celibacy a Delicacy?
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 10-Jul-2022
Is Celibacy a Delicacy? A delicacy is usually related to food, my favourite indulgence. It is different from the daily fare of dal-chawal or sabji-roti. For me a delicacy is something like succulent pork chops. Obviously one cannot eat that everyday. .....
Hat-Trick
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Jun-2022
The just concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) would be fresh in people’s minds. Hence one cannot be faulted for presuming that this piece is about cricket! It isn’t. It’s not about red balls but about red hats, the red Berettas given to Cardinals. They a.....
Uniformity, Conformity, or Deformity?
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-May-2022
TV Debates and newspaper headlines are replete with news and views on the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC). They have generated more heat than light. That, sadly, may be what the UCC is all about. Let us go b.....
Make Love Not War
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Mar-2022
Make Love Not War As teenagers in the 1960’s we were exposed to the anti-establishment pop culture of the Beatles, and the anti-war protests of the hippies. The latter’s war cry (sic) was “Make love not war”. As I write this the Russian invasion of.....
Fire Frightening Franco: A corollary to Somebody Raped Nobody
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Feb-2022
In my previous article I dwelt more on the judicial aspects of the judgement in the Franco Mulakkal rape case. The present one is based on the petition that I have submitted to Abp Anil Couto, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Delhi ecclesiastical region.....
Will Shishu Bhawan now be Renamed as Shishu Mandir?
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Jan-2022
Year 2022 dawned bleakly. Not just because of the resurgent Covid, but because of the.....
Unequal, Even in Death
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 14-Dec-2021
“So it is said We are all equal when dead. It is indeed the great equalizer; But only, and only when Subtle lies are the tranquilizer! Else, those who lie down in death, Are not equal yet”. If you are wondering which moron had muttered these immo.....
The Hug, Unplugged
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Nov-2021
On 31st October 2021, Christians in India woke up to a screaming headline, accompanied by a large photograph of Pope Francis and Narendra Modi hugging each other. It evoked mixed reactions. As per views expressed in the Catholic media, it gave an impressi.....
Roman Synod or the Greek Tragedy?
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Oct-2021
In my previous piece I wrote about some of the salient features of Synodality, for which Pope Francis began the process in Rome this 10th October. It will culminate, again in Rome, in October 2023. This Roman Synodal process will take two years because it.....
The Power of One
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Sep-2021
Some of you may have seen my latest YouTube Hindi video 1+1=11 (eleven). It is the title of a 2003 Bollywood movie starring Govinda and Sanjay Dutt. You may also have heard the Hindi saying “Akele channa bhar nahin phor sakta” (A single grain of gram cann.....
Custodians of what Tradition?
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 13-Aug-2021
The magician was dressed in .flowing robes. He had his back to the audience. He claimed to be an alchemist that could change lead into gold – transubstantiation. In between his secret mumbo-jumbo he would suddenly turn around to face his audience, raise h.....
Whose Families are they anyway
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Jul-2021
Whose Families are they anyway This piece has been inspired by two recent events. This morning (4th July), I read that “nice guy” Amir Khan was divorcing Kiran Rao, his second wife, of over a decade. The previous day I had read a Vatican News report .....