Incontro tra diritto ecclesiale e cultura indiana: Cenni storici e sfide attuali

Jesu Pudumai Doss

doi:10.21697/pk.2020.63.1.06

Published: 2020-03-31

Vol. 63 No. 1 (2020)

Encounter between ecclesial law and Indian culture: historical background and current challenges

Jesu Pudumai Doss

Prawo Kanoniczne

Section: Rozprawy i Artykuły

https://doi.org/10.21697/pk.2020.63.1.06

Abstract

“A culture that is steeped in wisdom, rich in human experience, and filled with spiritual values that point to God and his providence in human history”, thus St. John Paul II – in his speech to the Bishops of India on 23 June 1979 – wished “to render respectful homage to the ancient culture of your land (India)”.

Speaking of the encounter between the ecclesial law and Indian culture, in the first part, a brief historical overview of Indian cultural growth is presented specifically in two areas: the four stages of Indian legal culture (Ancient Hinduism, Muslim influence, Introduction of the English system and Modern complex legislative system), and some significant moments of the presence and growth of the Church in India. In the second part, one wishes to gather the contemporary challenges, which this “encounter” has given rise to, both in the civil society (on civil recognition and some legislative implications) and in the Church (on adaptation of canon law, relationship between the sui iuris Churches, equality in the Church, inculturation and interreligious and ecumenical dialogue).

Keywords:

Church law, canon law, Indian Church history, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, missionary law, Indian culture, Indian legislative system, personal law, adaptation, equality, inculturation, inter-religious dialogue, ecume- nical dialogue

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Pudumai Doss, J. (2020). Encounter between ecclesial law and Indian culture: historical background and current challenges. Prawo Kanoniczne, 63(1), 113–147. https://doi.org/10.21697/pk.2020.63.1.06

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Jesu Pudumai Doss

Affiliation:

Facoltà di Diritto Canonico dell’Università Pontificia Salesiana, Italia Italy

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Prof. Dr. Jesu PUDUMAI DOSS is a Salesian (SDB) priest from Chennai, India. He holds five licenses in English Literature, Education, Civil Law, Canon Law and Eastern Canon Law, as well as a Doctorate in Canon Law (UPS, Rome, 2003). He is currently the Dean and Full Professor of the Faculty of Canon Law, Salesian Pontifical University; External judge of the Court of First Instance for the Lazio region at the Vicariate of Rome; member of the special commission for the treatment of the causes of dissolution of marriage in favorm fidei at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Defender of the Bond for the treatment of the causes of dispensation of ratified and non-consummated marriage at the special matrimonial office of the Roman Rota; and Consultor of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. He has published many books and articles in these areas: education, canon law and civil law (especially the law of minors and young people). One of his latest books is Child Protection Laws in India (New Delhi: DBYA-SA, 2015) and among those edited: Prophets with Wings. Accompanying the Young in Today's India (New Delhi: AIDBES, 2018). Email: pudu25@gmail.com