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Saju Chackalackal
  • Saju Chackalackal
    Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram
    Dairy Circle, Hosur Road
    Bangalore 560029, India
  • +91 94 80 022339
Perhaps it was a sheer coincidence: my reading of the book The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice by Christopher Hitchens (London & New York: Verso, 1995) and the life of Christopher Hitchens came to an end on the... more
Perhaps it was a sheer coincidence: my reading of the book The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice by Christopher Hitchens (London & New York: Verso, 1995) and the life of Christopher Hitchens came to an end on the same day, to be exact on Thursday, 15 December 2011. While Mother Theresa was perceived to be instrumental in building up the lives of the least and the lost, Christopher Hitchens instrumentalized his life to pull down and destroy the life and associated public image of those personalities who were associated with the same downtrodden and the discarded in the mainstream society by employing his shrewd sophistry. It is quite strange to note that the fame of Hitchens came from the rhetorical flourish and verbal joust that he directed on the lives of those who had sacrificed their lives so that others may have life; to him the lives of great personalities such as Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi belonged only to a " universe of the mediocre and the credulous. " Indeed, as he made his fame and, consequently, a living from his unhindered critique on Mother Theresa and others, she continued her unhindered service for those who were not cared for by anybody. While people of Hitchens' status could relish on " promise and abundance and opportunity " available in an open and ever expanding world of self-realization and self-aggrandizement, the poor and the marginalized, the sick and the dying were only subjects for their intellectual snobbery and meticulously surgical but sterile scrutiny with complicated literary jargons; such intellectual and literary geniuses would argue for the enhancement of the quality of life of others, but would not move even their small finger to transform an iota in others' lives. Any transformation in the quality of lives of the selfsame people, however, was made only by people of Mother Teresa's commitment and availability. The polemic style of Christopher Hitchens and his acumen to target persons of fame made his writings an instant attraction and a business success. Not many, however, seem to have looked into the flaws in the arguments that Hitchens had advanced to attack his targets, Mother Teresa in particular. I feel that if Hitchens' victims were endowed with the wit and wisdom to construct manipulative arguments, especially by employing polemic language, they would have easily pulled down the already questionable and easily challengeable personal and professional life of Hitchens and many of his ill-conceived and unjustifiable arguments. But they were not only least bothered about such overtures, but were all the more intent on their mission of reaching out and spending themselves for the other, as that was the only instance that would bring life and light into others' lives and make their own lives existentially meaningful. Like many other self-styled critics of Mother Teresa, Hitchens was also intent on finding fault with her for almost everything that she did. For example, even the visit of Mother Teresa to the affected areas of Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984 is vehemently criticized by Hitchens as merely a show of sympathy and a 'hasty exercise in damage control'; although no connection between the Union Carbide and Mother Teresa is alluded, the impression given to the readers is that she had something at stake. However, it is clear from the situation that she had no other intention than offering consolation to the victims of this human-made tragedy (but at her own peril, as the area was not yet safe for life) and, if possible, to be of any assistance to them in a moment of helplessness. When she was asked for advice and counsel, she spontaneously advised them to 'forgive', which is also questioned by Hitchens
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Merging the Boundaries of Religion, Science, and Philosophy
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“Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions” (Nostra aetate) offered a positive outlook in approaching different faiths and their faithful, as they are accepted to be integrally part of the one Divine plan... more
“Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions” (Nostra aetate) offered a positive outlook in approaching different faiths and their faithful, as they are accepted to be integrally part of the one Divine plan for humanity. As fifty years have passed after this Declaration was issued by Vatican Council II, it is time that the Church and other religions take stock of the situation and prepare together for a renewed understanding of religion and humanity. Humanity can progress towards a more cohesive and peaceful existence only if religions offer a collaborative front and infuse in other socio-political realities a sense of communion. Although the Church has not succeeded in proceeding beyond the Nostra aetate, she has already laid out a new path of openness, dialogue, and collaboration into which Christians as well as the faithful of other religions should be initiated so that a better understanding of religious realities and human co-existence could be facilitated. The way forward in this direction needs to be effectively supported by educating youngsters in being authentically religious and dynamically interreligious at the same time.
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Consecrated Life and Ministry: A Profiling for the Consecrated in Contemporary India
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This presentation was made in a conference held at Johannesburg, South Africa
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"An Indian Initiative in Christian Formation: Reflections on the Vision and Mission of Dharmārām for an Indian Church" captures a set of important ideals for which it has been established in 1957. In an attempt to recapture the noble... more
"An Indian Initiative in Christian Formation: Reflections on the Vision and Mission of Dharmārām for an Indian Church" captures a set of important ideals for which it has been established in 1957. In an attempt to recapture the noble vision and mission of Dharmārām and to instil a passion for the same among those who associate with this noble Indian venture in Christian formation, a few reflections are offered in two parts. While the first part, “Faith Seeking Harmony of Life at Dharmārām,” tries to dwell on an ideal understanding of the vision and mission of Dharmārām, the second part, “Seeking Divine Harmony: Stalwarts of Dharmārām Synthesis,” offers a review on the contributions of three important persons who have attempted to realize the Dharmārām dream in their own inimitable ways, thus, becoming shining stars on the Dharmārām horizons.
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Abstract on the Book: Against the theoretical framework of the sociological theories of secularization and institutionalization, Christianity in India: Sociological Investigations highlights the recent trends in Indian Christianity in the... more
Abstract on the Book: Against the theoretical framework of the sociological theories of secularization and institutionalization, Christianity in India: Sociological Investigations highlights the recent trends in Indian Christianity in the light of empirical data drawn from sociological surveys that the author has conducted over the past three decades.  Topics discussed include the proliferation and popularity of Pentecostal Sects, challenges in the life and ministry of the pastoral clergy and the religious of India, effectiveness of the formation of priests and religious, and the Christian contribution to social transformation through education.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
... BOOK TITLE: New Horizons of Indian Christian Living: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Dr. Vadakethala Francis Vineeth CMI, ed. Saju Chackalackal. YEAR: 2009. PUB TYPE: Book Chapter. PAGES: 1 - 2. SUBJECT(S): None. DISCIPLINE:... more
... BOOK TITLE: New Horizons of Indian Christian Living: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Dr. Vadakethala Francis Vineeth CMI, ed. Saju Chackalackal. YEAR: 2009. PUB TYPE: Book Chapter. PAGES: 1 - 2. SUBJECT(S): None. DISCIPLINE: Religious Studies. HTTP: ...
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
This article (originally a foreword to a book titled Rush to Riches: The War on Creation by Rayappa A. Kasi, published by Dharmaram Publications in Bangalore 2011) deals with the status of the environment and human contribution to its... more
This article (originally a foreword to a book titled Rush to Riches: The War on Creation by Rayappa A. Kasi, published by Dharmaram Publications in Bangalore 2011) deals with the status of the environment and human contribution to its destruction and nurturing. It calls for a constructive symbiotic relationship established between the nature and the human.
It is a study on the latest book by Amartya Sen, The Idea of Justice. The study focuses on Sen's rejection of any theory of justice, and argues for the necessity of foundational views on justice so that ethical deliberations can be... more
It is a study on the latest book by Amartya Sen, The Idea of Justice. The study focuses on Sen's rejection of any theory of justice, and argues for the necessity of foundational views on justice so that ethical deliberations can be properly carried out.
In the wake of climatic changes experienced in the cities, educational institutions have a vital role to play by way of conscientization and training in proactive involvement both on the part of the faculty and the students.
An academic directory and search engine.
An academic directory and search engine.
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And 36 more

An Epistemological Dialogue with Prof. Dr. Saju Chackalackal by Vivek Kumar, published in Logos: Theory of Knowledge Magazine (Christ Junior College-Residential, Bengaluru), Issue 1, 2016, pages 3-10
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This contains an appreciation on the forthcoming book "Remembering the Mercies of the Lord: A Journey through My Vocation and Mission" by Father John Peter Muringathery CMI.
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