ONGOING RENEWAL OF MORAL THEOLOGY IN INDIA
Keywords:
Moral Theology in India, Option for the Poor, Dialogue with Cultures and Religions, Gender JusticeAbstract
Indian moral theologians have enthusiastically responded to the call for renewal of moral theology by the Second Vatican Council. This paper presents some of the contributions of Indian moral theologians after the Council, and delineates some the concerns for further development of moral theology in India. Seminary continues to be main context of the moral theologian. Although it helps address the pastoral issues, it does not facilitate the engagement with many social issues. Similarly, moral theology needs to enter into a deeper and more open dialogue with the cultures and religions of India. It is also necessary that moral theologians become more courageous enough to ‘read the signs of the times’ and learn from them, instead of identifying his/her role merely as a commentator of the texts given. In the changed socio-political and economic context, preferential option for the poor has become a more challenging task. Moral theologian should strive for ensuring justice in the internal structures of the Church, and to work towards a more gender-just Church. Since there are two Eastern rites in India, the task of integrating Eastern perspectives into moral theological reflection is also important for further development and renewal of moral theology in India.
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