Date of Award

5-2022

Access Restriction

Campus Access only Research Projects

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Theology

School or College

Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts

First Advisor

Brett Hoover

Abstract

Discrimination in the Indian Catholic Church is a leading reason why the lower caste Dalits leave and join the Pentecostal churches, especially in south India. This is a grave threat to the future of the Catholic faith in India and the sharing of the true and full Gospel message. In this paper, I will explore three themes in these regards: the current reasons for leaving, historical and social context, and theological teachings, and provide a recommended pastoral approach for the Church’s response to this crisis. Specifically,

  • Reasons why the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches draw Christians away from the Catholic Church.
  • Historical context and the social experiences of the Dalits.
  • Theological foundations of the fundamental rights of human beings based on Jesus’ response to marginalized peoples.
  • How the Catholic Church might respond in the current culture.

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