Bengaluru: The call to build a more inclusive Church and society took on renewed urgency at the National Synodal Assembly, where participants turned their focus to the theme, “Inclusion of the Excluded.” The discussions brought into sharp focus the realities of marginalization that continue to affect large sections of Indian society.
Delivering the keynote address, noted sociologist Virginius Xaxa challenged delegates to confront the deep-rooted patterns of exclusion that persist across social structures. He described exclusion as more than social neglect, identifying it as a denial of fundamental rights such as equality, citizenship, economic participation, decision-making power, and human dignity.
Referring to the guarantees enshrined in the Constitution of India, Xaxa noted that while the framework promises justice, liberty, and equality for all, the reality on the ground remains uneven. He highlighted how divisions based on caste, class, religion, and ethnicity continue to shape opportunities and access, with Dalits and Adivasi communities bearing the brunt of systemic marginalization.
Raising a critical question for the Church, Xaxa asked whether its institutions genuinely reflect inclusivity or inadvertently mirror the inequalities present in wider society.
The session also featured a reflective sharing by Roy Lazar, who underscored that true synodality must begin with a willingness to listen especially to those on the margins. He emphasized that meaningful engagement requires first acknowledging the lived experiences of injustice and exclusion faced by vulnerable communities.
Calling for what he described as an “authentic metanoia,” or a profound transformation of heart and mindset, Father Lazar urged the Church to foster relationships rooted in fraternity, solidarity, and shared responsibility. He outlined key priorities for the synodal journey, including a stronger focus on the excluded, active accompaniment of marginalized groups, structural reforms, and greater representation of underrepresented communities in leadership roles.
He further stressed the need for reparative justice and highlighted the importance of building more inclusive and compassionate digital spaces, recognizing the growing influence of online platforms in shaping social interaction and participation.
Looking ahead to the Jubilee Year 2033, Father Lazar expressed hope that the Church in India would evolve into a community marked by closeness and solidarity a Church that walks alongside the poor, the vulnerable, and those pushed to the peripheries.
The assembly concluded the session with a strong appeal to examine both societal and ecclesial structures, reaffirming a collective commitment to ensure that inclusivity is not merely an aspiration, but a lived reality in the Church’s mission and ministry.