US outsourcing prayers to India
Following the outsourcing of software and other technological work in recent years, Western nations have now begun "offshoring" of Christian prayers to India.
"With Roman Catholic clergy in short supply in the United States, Indian priests are picking up some of their work, saying Mass for special intentions, in a sacred if unusual version of outsourcing," The New York Times reported.
Joining Americans in sending Mass intentions, requests for services such as those to remember deceased relatives and thanksgiving prayers, to clergy in India, are Canadians and Europeans.
No other Indian state receives more intentions from overseas than Kerala, where the Masses are conducted in Malayalam. The intention, often a prayer for the repose of the soul of a deceased relative, or for a sick family member, thanksgiving for a favor received, or a prayer offering for a newborn, is announced at Mass.
Generally individuals don't receive overseas requests, which are mostly routed to churches in Kerala through the Vatican, the bishops or through religious bodies. Such requests are increasingly arriving via e-mail, though the regular mail and the word of mouth of traveling clergymen constitute a majority.
The Times, quoting priests, said memorial and thanksgiving prayers for locals are said for a donation of Rs 40, whereas a prayer request from America costs 5 dollars.
Sebastian Adayanthrath, auxialiary bishop of the Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese in Kochi, said his diocese received a monthly average of 350 Mass intentions, which are passed to the needy priests. He added that in Kerala, where priests earn about Rs 2,000, the overseas money is a welcome supplement.
In Bangalore's Dharmaram College, Rector James Narithookil said he often received requests for Mass intentions from abroad, which he disbursed among the 50 priests in his seminary. Most of the requests from the United States were for requiems, with donations of 5 to 10 dollars, he said.
"With Roman Catholic clergy in short supply in the United States, Indian priests are picking up some of their work, saying Mass for special intentions, in a sacred if unusual version of outsourcing," The New York Times reported.
Joining Americans in sending Mass intentions, requests for services such as those to remember deceased relatives and thanksgiving prayers, to clergy in India, are Canadians and Europeans.
No other Indian state receives more intentions from overseas than Kerala, where the Masses are conducted in Malayalam. The intention, often a prayer for the repose of the soul of a deceased relative, or for a sick family member, thanksgiving for a favor received, or a prayer offering for a newborn, is announced at Mass.
Generally individuals don't receive overseas requests, which are mostly routed to churches in Kerala through the Vatican, the bishops or through religious bodies. Such requests are increasingly arriving via e-mail, though the regular mail and the word of mouth of traveling clergymen constitute a majority.
The Times, quoting priests, said memorial and thanksgiving prayers for locals are said for a donation of Rs 40, whereas a prayer request from America costs 5 dollars.
Sebastian Adayanthrath, auxialiary bishop of the Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese in Kochi, said his diocese received a monthly average of 350 Mass intentions, which are passed to the needy priests. He added that in Kerala, where priests earn about Rs 2,000, the overseas money is a welcome supplement.
In Bangalore's Dharmaram College, Rector James Narithookil said he often received requests for Mass intentions from abroad, which he disbursed among the 50 priests in his seminary. Most of the requests from the United States were for requiems, with donations of 5 to 10 dollars, he said.
posted by Mr Farnham at
7:18 AM
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