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Chairman
Bp. Joseph Mar Thomas
Catholic Bishop's
House, Dharmapitam,Sultan Bathery, Wayanad Dt., Kerala - 673 592,
India.
Tel: +91 493 - 620207,Fax: +91 493 - 621287
Vice- Chairmen
Bp. Rt. Rev. Dr.
Varghese Chakalakal
Bishop of Kannur,
Bishop’s House, Chovva, Kannur - 670 006. Kerala, India.
Tel. (O): +91 497-2729977, 2729988, 2768800 (P), Fax (P): +91 484 -
2768877
E-mail : cnn_diocese@sancharnet.in, kannurdiocese@vsnl.com
Bp. Mar Mathew Anikuzhikattil
Bishop's House,
Karimban, Manippara P.O., Idukki - 685 602, Kerala, India.
Tel: +91 486 - 2230266, 2230204, 2230100 (P), Fax: +91 486 - 2230100
E-mail: periappuram@sancharnet
Secretary
Mrs. Annie Rodney
Ann Villa,
H.No.3, Bank Nagar, Kannur 670 002
Ph: +91 479-2728106
E-mail:annierodney@gmail.com
About KCBC Women's Commission
KCBC women’s
commission was formed with an aim to inspire, animate and create
awareness among all women for their empowerment and growth by giving
emphasis on spirituality and women’s life experiences. Ever since its
inception during 2000 the commission has been working for the
empowerment and spiritual growth of women in the church.
KCBC Women’s
commission has been organizing and coordinating its activities through
the combined effort of diocesan secretaries, directors and with the
valuable guidance and support from the Chairmen Bishops. His Lordship
Bishop Mar Paul Chittilapilly was the First Chairman of the
Commission. At present His Lordship Bishop Mar Mathew Anikkuzhikkattil
is the Commission Chairman and His Lordship Major Abp.Moran Mor
Baselios Cleemis Catholics and Bishop Rt.
Rev. Dr. Varghese Chakkalakal are the Vice-chairmen of the
Commission. Ms.Beena Sebastian is the Executive Secretary of the
Commission.
Women’s
Commission provides a platform for women to get together to share
their joy and to interact and deliberate on issues and problems
concerning them. This has also provides opportunity to find out
innovative ways and means for a positive change. Above all the
gathering helps women to get inspiration to make a change within and
to grow spiritually emotionally and socially. The women’s Commission
encourage women to form solidarity and support with groups like
Domestic workers, widows, divorced and separated women, single women,
battered wives, wives of alcoholics, teenage groups etc. Women’s
Commission by its timely support empowers women through various
publications and programs to address their issues collectively.
Historical
Background
The Women’s Desk
of the CBCI was established at the CBCI Conference held at Pune, on
January 1992.
At the CBCI
meeting of February 1996, the women’s desk was formally promoted to
the status of the commission.
As a first step,
a desk for women was started under the CBCI laity commission with
Sr.Cleopatra CMC as the secretary, Bishop Basco Penha as the chairman,
Bishop M.C Soosai Pakim [Trivandrum] and Bishop Vijay Anand Nedumpuram
[Chandrapur] as the member bishops of the commission. This body
represents the concerns of all women’s initiative. It aims at the
empowerment of women irrespective of cast or creed. To this end
women’s desk was set up at regional and Diocesan level all over the
country. First Regional Conference of the KCBC women’s Desk was
organized in July 1994.In the conference, the Diocesan secretaries
from various Dioceses were selected.
The second
Regional conference of the KCBC Women’s Desk was held at Chaithanya
pastoral Centre, Kottayam on January 1996.
The Third
Regional Conference of KCBC Women’s desk was held at the Pastoral
orientation Centre, Ernakulam from 20th – 23rd
August 2000 with the theme “Jesus liberates women and gives us
fullness of life and exploring women’s God experience”.
At the end of
the meeting a memorandum was prepared and was given to the KCBC
conference held at St.Thomas mount on September 1, 2000 where the
following matters were discussed and decided.
“In view of the
co-ordination of women folk of Kerala in the church level, Mrs.Beena
Sebastian regional secretary, CBCI Commission for women placed a
request for the formation of the commission at KCBC level. Considering
the discussion on the matter, the family Commission headed by His
Excellency mar Paul Chittilapilly was entrusted with further study and
proposals for its organizational structure and existence.”
Accordingly, His
Excellency Mar Paul Chittilapilly discussed about the future structure
of the commission with the core team members and asked Mrs.Beena
Sebastian to contact the directors of the Family Apostolate to get the
name of the women’s commission secretaries from each diocese. The
meeting of the Directors together with women’s representatives met on
November 11, 2000.The meeting held on November11, 2000 felt solidarity
with the request of women representatives to have their section
independent from the Family Apostolate.
The meeting
held on November 28,2000 at 2pm at POC chaired by His Excellency
Bishop Mar Paul chittilapilly.Fr.Geo Payyappilly,Secretary of Family
Apostolate and Laity Commission, Mrs.Beena Sebastian Regional
secretary KCBC women’s commission and diocesan secretaries from 13
dioceses were present at the meeting. Some of the decisions taken at
the meeting were:
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Women
representatives desire to have a KCBC commission for women.
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The secretary
of women’s commission under CBCI for the regional level is elected
as the secretary of the proposed commission subject to the approval
of KCBC.
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The
representatives of women from each Diocese together with the
Episcopal Commission member will constitute the General body of this
commission.
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The Diocesan
representative shall be the secretary under the diocesan director
whom the local Bishop will designate.
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The Dioceses
were grouped into five Zones-Trivandrum, Kottayam, Ernakulam,
Trichur and Malabar covering all the dioceses .These five members
together with representatives of CRI, CCWI and of CARITAS will be
the core members together with the secretary of the commission.
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The financial
support from KCBC
The above
decision of the meeting was presented by His Excellency Bishop Mar
Paul Chittilapilly in the KCBC meeting held on December 5-6, 2000.The
KCBC made the following decisions:
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The
Commission for family is renamed as KCBC Commission for Family,
laity and women. This section shall function independently under the
same Episcopal Commission.
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The
proposed structure for the commission and the election are approved
.Later they can make their own statutes and regulations, which can
be submitted for the approval of KCBC.
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The
financial assistance has to be sought within the association itself.
BYLAW OF KCBC
WOMEN'S COMMISSION
NAME OF THE
ORGANISATION : KCBC WOMEN’S COMMISSION
ADDRESS OF THE ORGANISATION : PASTORAL ORIENTATION CENTRE,
PALARIVATTOM,
KOCHI-682025, TEL:91 484 2805722
AREA OF
JURISDICTION
: STATE OF KERALA
PREAMBLE
The
discrimination against women and children seems to be embedded in the
structure of the society. Violence against women sometimes starts from
the very moment of the conception of the Girl Child and is experienced
by them at all stages of their life.
His Holiness The
Pope John Paul II appealed to the Ecclesial Communities, States and
International Institutions:
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To make every
effort to ensure that the women regain full respect for their
dignity and role.
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To make
effective and intelligent campaign for the promotion of welfare of
women.
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To examine the
past with courage and to work in a convincing manner so that the
widest possible space be opened to women in society, economy,
politics and in the life of the Church.
In this context
the KCBC has given its consent to have a Women’s Commission in the
Kerala Region according to the request of the CBCI Women’s Commission.
The Women’s Commission is not an Organization, but is a Commission to
inspire, animate and create awareness among all women in the Diocese
for women’s empowerment and growth. If there are Catholic women’s
organizations existing in the Diocese,the Secretary of the Women’s
Commission can take initiatives to form a group in such dioceses.The
Women’s Commission should encourage women to form solidarity and
support with groups like domestic workers,widows,divorced and
separated women,single women,battered wives,wives of
alcoholics,teenage groups etc.
SCOPE AND PURPOSE
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To network all
women’s organization at the diocesan level.
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To give
platform for all diocesan women to come together to exchange their
enriching experiences.
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To deepen
among women a sense of their dignity as human beings created in the
image and likeness of God.
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To stimulate
reflection in the Church on its mission to form a discipleship of
equals.
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To work for
gender justice in the wider community.
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To develop and
articulate spirituality based on women’s life experiences.
SPECIFIC AIMS
I. Spiritual
and Theological Formation
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To provide and
support opportunities for women’s spiritual and theological
formation with particular reference to feminine spirituality and
theology.
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To create a
space for spirituality based on women’s experience of God.
II. Research
and Documentation
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To research
and document the social reality of women.
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To compile
information regarding existing for women.
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To prepare a
directory of resource persons working for the empowerment of women
III Witness
to Gospel Value
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To create an
awareness of religious, cultural, political and economic structures
that oppress women at home, at work, in society and in the church.
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To
conscientize women and men about the part they play in the
perpetuation of oppressive structures and the need to work
collectively to transform such systems
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To promote the
establishment of social structures and that support women in their
multiple responsibilities as homemakers, care givers and wage
earners.
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To identify
and empower groups of marginalized and exploited women.
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To fight all
forms of violence against women and provide supporyt and healing to
victims of such violence.
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To network
with women and human rights groups that work for the empowerment of
women.
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To build up
and give visibility to independent group initiatives that work for
the empowerment of women.
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To work for
gender justice according to civil and canon law.
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To mobilize
public opinion with regard to the image of women in the media.
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To promote
women’s participation and leadership in political and civil affairs.
IV. Marriage
and Family
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To promote
wife-husband relationship based on mutual respect, shared parenthood
and equal partnership, particularly in decision –making, family
finance and domestic work
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To promote and
ensure the right of the girl child including her rights to family
inheritance.
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To encourage
among members of the family, mutual respect and shared
responsibility at home.
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To fight
against social, cultural and religious practices that undermines the
dignity of women.E.g.: abortion, dowry, wife beating, evils of the
caste system etc.
V. Education
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To promote
education of women especially those of the lower income groups, by
formal and non formal methods
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To encourage
girls to widen their career/job choices from the narrow range they
currently pursue upholding the dignity and the role of the mother in
the family.
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To promote the
economic independence and stability of women by helping them acquire
new skills, upgrading old skills and supporting apprenticeship
schemes for women, particularly in quality, non-traditional
occupations.
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To provide
training for women in decision making and problem solving skills.
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To promote
through school and college education, the equal dignity and mutual
responsibilities of women and men with a view to challenging
structures, customs and attitudes that oppress women.
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To
educate women, especially the more disadvantaged, about their
constitutional and legal rights.
VI.
Participation in the church activities
WORKING OF THE
KCBC WOMEN'S COMMISSION
Structure
General Body
The General body
of the Commission comprises of the chairman, Member Bishops, Executive
Secretary of the KCBC Commission for women, the Diocesan Secretaries
and a representative of CRI. They help in making policy decisions,
initiate programs and activities in keeping with specific aims of the
commission. the General body meets once in year.
Chairman and Vice Chairmen
The chairman
shall preside over the General Body and the Executive Committee. In
the absence of the chairman ,the Vice-Chairman who is present shall
preside over the meetings.
Executive Committee
The Executive
Committee consists of the Episcopal Commission together with the
Executive Secretary, treasurer, five zonal Secretaries and the
representatives of CRI. The Executive Committee meets twice in a year.
The Executive
Committee keeps in constant touch with the dioceses through Diocesan
Committees to follow up the activities.
Zonal Secretaries
Dioceses are
grouped into 5 zones- Ernakulam, Kottayam, Malabar, Trichur, and
Trivandrum
1. Ernakulam
Zone – Alleppey,Ernakulam-Angamaly,Cochin, Kothamangalam and
Verapoly
2. Kottayam
Zone – Chanhanassery, Kanjirapally, Kottayam, Palai, Thiruvalla
and Vijayapuram
3. Malabar
Zone – Bathery,Calicut,kannur,manathavady,Tellicherry and
Thamarassery
4. Trichur
Zone – Irinjalakuda,Kottapuram,Palaghat and Trichur.
5. Trivandrum
Zone – Quilon,Neyyattinkara,Punnalur,TrivandrumAD and Trivandrum
The General Body
elects Zonal Secretaries.
Executive
Secretary
The KCBC women’s
Commission’s Executive secretary [appointed by the KCBC] will be
representing the Kerala Region as the secretary to the CBCI Women’s
Commission. She will be the link between the CBCI Commission for women
and the KCBC Commission for women.
Nomination
and terms of voluntary service of Executive Secretary:
The Chairman of
the KCBC Commission in consultation with the members shall nominate
the Executive Secretary for the period of three years which can be
renewed for two more terms.
Functions of
the Executive Secretary
The Executive
Secretary work in close collaboration and under the guidance of the
chairman and member bishops of the Commission. The Executive Secretary
will be an animator and organizer through whom the KCBC commission for
women will realize its vision, aims and objectives at the Diocese,
parish and ultimately at the grass root level. She is expected
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To animate
women at the diocesan and parish level in keeping with the specific
aims and objectives of the commission.
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To follow up
the decisions taken by the Executive Committee.
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To report to
the Executive Committee
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To encourage
to set up women’s commission team in the dioceses.
Functions of
the Diocesan Secretary
The Diocesan
Secretary must work in close collaboration with and under the guidance
of the local Bishop and is expected.
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To animate
women at the parish level in keeping with the specific aims and
objectives of the Commission.
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To follow the
directives sent by the KCBC Chairman or the KCBC Women’s Commission
Executive Secretary.
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To report to
the Executive Secretary at regular intervals.
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To set up
women’s parish level committee in the Diocese.
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To network
with other women’s organizations who are Catholic, Christian,
Secular or of other faiths having similar vision.
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To conduct
awareness Programmes in Parish/ Forane, for youth, women’s groups,
schools, colleges etc.
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To make
resource persons available to conduct workshops, seminars and
lectures in the diocesan/ parish levels.
The Parish
Women’s Commission
The Parish
Women’s Commission could consist of the Parish Priest and a minimum of
3 or more women. They should be helped to develop a women’s
perspective to become familiar with women’s issues through leadership
seminars and training programmes at the diocesan level.
Functions:
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To function as
a Counseling and guidance group with whom, any one could get in
touch for help on women’s issues.
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To be the link
between the parish and the diocesan women’s commission for
communication and action.
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To conduct
awareness workshops with the parish organizations either by
themselves or with the help of resource persons.
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To be in touch
with Colleges/ Schools in the parish for arranging awareness
programmes.
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To network
with other women’s organizations – Christian secular or other faiths
having similar visions.
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To lobby with
the National/ State women’s commissions and other Governmental
departments if necessary.
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To conduct
regional seminars, conferences, workshops and other awareness and
training programmes.
Premature
termination of term of service
The Executive
secretary can be removed from office by the Chairman:
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If
she is found acting against the aims and objects of the commission
in the devaluation of the Executive Committee,
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If
she is found guilty by a court for the malpractice which tarnishes
the good name of the office,
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If she is
found propagating anti-Christian values in her activities.
Joint
Secretary
The joint
secretary shall be elected by the Executive Committee to work in
collaboration with the Executive Secretary to carry out the work
effectively for a period of three years.
Treasurer
The Executive
Committee shall elect the Treasurer of the Commission for a period of
three years. She shall keep the accounts properly and present the
Annual Account before the Executive Committee for approval and the
General Body for information.
Diocesan
Committee
The Diocesan
Committee consists of the Bishop, the Director, the Diocesan
Secretary, representative of the CRI and a minimum of d5 women
representatives who have spiritual and social concerns. (They can be
President or Secretary of other Women’s or Youth groups in the
Diocese). They should be helped to develop a women’s perspective to
become familiar with women’s issues through leadership seminars and
training programmes at the diocesan level, under the guidance of the
Bishop.
Diocesan
Secretary
The Diocesan
Secretary shall be nominated by the Diocesan Bishop.
Finance
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The
Dioceses are expected to pay their yearly contribution of Rs.1000/-
for the effective functioning of the KCBC commission for women.
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The
Dioceses are expected to meet the expenditure incurring at the
diocesan women’s commission.
The Executive
Committee can from time to time amend, delete or modify the provisions
of this by law in accordance with changes in social mores and ideology
of the Catholic Church. The amendment or modification shall come into
force only when it is passed in the General Body. The amendment can
be made by the General Body by a 2/3 majority, in which atleast 50% of
the members are present.
The bylaw of the
Women’s Commission will come into effect when it is approved by the
KCBC. The amendments, if made are also subject to the approval of
KCBC.
ACTIVITIES OF
THE COMMISSION
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