India’s religious hold ‘coffee-shop’ on good governance of congregations

(October 03, 2011) The religious orders of India are envisioning a major shift in the way their communities are being administered in the light of emerging trends in civil society using principles of good governance. The Conference of Religious India (CRI) that brings together the major superiors of religious congregations in India took its cue from a café billboard caption that read, "a lot can happen over a cup of coffee," and held its first ever ‘coffee-shop’ in New Delhi on Sept 26. The CRI secretariat organized the meet at CRI house, Delhi, with a small gathering of six major superiors from in and around the capital and four members of CRI house. Religious congregations in India are today stressing upon good governance like participatory approach in decision-making, accountability and transparency. Participants in Delhi ‘coffee-shop’ underscored the need for proper training and education to animators and members of religious communities. They also said stressed on accountability on the part of leaders and members not only in decision-making but also in standing up to the decisions in the process of implementation. CRI National Secretary, Montfort Brother Mani Mekkunnel guided the discussions, focussing on the issue-based approach and concerns such as decision-making, transfers and appointment. The coffee-shop has kick started wider consultation on the vision, principles, characteristics of good governance and its possible implementation in congregations.