Redemptorist Father Vimal Tirimanna, one of the leading theologians in Asia, has said that bishops in Asia should help develop and teach contextual continental theology in Asia, rather than limiting themselves exclusively to Roman theology in the seminaries in Asia.

Father Vimal also speaks about the importance of ending clericalism and encouraging lay participation to make the Church more participatory and responsive to the social realities of Asia, as so clearly wished by Vatican II.

What impact do you expect from the current synodal process?

I think the current synodal process is going to turn the Church upside down if you take it seriously. The synodal process aims to make the Church more participatory, which would naturally mean a diminishing of the present clerical dominance. That’s what Francis wants but many conservatives in influential ecclesial positions do not want that to happen. Some bishops, even in Asian nations such as Sri Lanka and India, are waving a red flag against this process though almost all of them pay lip service to it. If you want to restore the role of the lay people again in the Church as so clearly wished by Vatican II, the only solution is the synodal process.

How soon will that change happen in Asia?

It will be very, very far from present times. One reason is that Asia is very patriarchal, or matriarchal, culturally. So it will be hard culturally.  But I think it will happen gradually in time to come because I am quite positive after reading the national Episcopal synod responses. Lay people have expressed things that I never expected to be so bluntly and sincerely to be mentioned in those reports. Everywhere, they are seeking a chance to play greater roles in the Church, of course, according to the charisms/gifts showered on them by the Holy Spirit.

Do we need the hierarchy, including the papacy, as we see it today?

As some perceive it today, it may not be relevant. But we need to change this perception. Of course, the way some priests and bishops have been behaving has been quite destructive to the institutional hierarchical structure of the Church. But that is not enough reason to make a general statement that we do not need the hierarchy. We need the hierarchy. I differ from a few other friends of mine in the theological circles on this. We need the institutional aspects of the Church because without that the Church cannot function. Without an institution or structure, even this meeting of the FABC is not possible.

How can we change it?

Through conversion of each and every member of the People of God. I remember when we were seminarians in the 1980s, it was the time of Latin American liberation theology, and we were talking about structural change. At the time we were taught correctly that with structural change, the person also should change. It is because, behind structures, there are always persons. Structures do not jump onto our lap by themselves and stay there. It is we who create, maintain, and sustain them. So it’s we who can change them, but first we should change ourselves.

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