Catholic ashrams: Sannyasins or swindlers?

by Sita Ram Goel

The emergence of Catholic ashrams in several parts of the country is not an isolated development. These institutions are links in a chain which is known as the “Ashram Movement”, and which different denominations of Christianity are promoting in concert. The Protestants and the Syrian Orthodox have evolved similar establishments. Taken together, these institutions are known as Christian ashrams. Several books and many articles have already been devoted to the subject by noted Christian writers. The Ashram Movement, in turn, is part of another and larger plan which is known as Indigenisation or Inculturation and which has several other planks. The plan has already produced a mass of literature and is being continuously reviewed in colloquies, conferences, seminars, and spiritual workshops on the local, provincial, regional, national, and international levels. High-powered committees and councils and special cells have been set up for supervising its elaboration and implementation. What strikes one most as one wades through the literature of Indigenisation is the sense of failure from which Christianity is suffering in this country. Or, what seems more likely, this literature is being produced with the express purpose of creating that impression. The gains made so far by an imperialist enterprise are being concealed under a sob-story. Whatever the truth, we find that the mission strategists are trying hard to understand and explain why Christianity has not made the strides it should

Genres: Christianity

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Sita Ram Goel (16 October 1921 – 3 December 2003) was an Indian religious and political activist, writer and publisher in the late twentieth century. He had Marxist leanings during the 1940s, but later became an outspoken anti-communist and also wrote extensively on the damage to Indian culture and heritage wrought by expansionist Islam and missionary activities of Christianity. In his later career he emerged as a commentator on Indian politics, and adhered to Hindu nationalism.

Reviews

[Vineet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If we compare with East Asia specially India the conquest of America, Australia, Africa by Christianity can be rightly termed as cakewalk. They felt strong resistance here. However, they observed that Indian held high regards for ascetics. Therefore, in the name of ‘indigenisation’ Christian Missionaries disguised themselves as Sanyasis as if they were Hindu Sanyasis. This book exposes sinister plan of Christian Missionaries establishing Catholic Ashrams, wearing saffron cloths, living ascetic life so that they can attract Hindu Mass towards them and ultimately converting them to Christianity.
This book also contains the letters exchanged by Swami Devananda Saraswati and Father Bede Griffiths who runs similar Catholic Ashram named Shantivanam, between Father Bede Griffiths and the author, between Father Bede Griffiths and Shri Ram Swaroop. This is very informative book and shows author’s deep study and profound knowledge of Christianity.