0
0
St John’s Regional Seminary, 15 December 2023: St John’s Regional Seminary, Kondadaba, marked a significant day on 15 December 2023, by engaging in a groundbreaking visit to the transgender community in Vishakapatnam. This initiative, part of the Feminist Trans-person Consciousness and praxis, aimed to foster understanding and dismantle the stereotypes surrounding the transgender community. The visit, characterized by meaningful interactions and exchanges, served as a platform to bridge gaps and challenge the societal taboos that often marginalize transgender individuals.
The brothers from Kondadaba Seminary, under the guidance of visiting professor Sr Amitha SDS, who is renowned for her dedicated work towards the welfare of transgender people, embarked on this visit with the goal of embracing and learning from the experiences of the transgender community. Sr Amitha’s expertise and compassionate approach played a pivotal role in facilitating this engagement, ensuring that the interactions were respectful, informative, and enlightening. This visit was not merely an act of social outreach but a deliberate step towards practicing a theology that is inclusive, affirming, and rooted in the principles of equality and dignity for all. The brothers’ initiative to reach out and connect with the transgender community underscores a profound commitment to understanding and addressing the complexities and challenges faced by marginalized groups in society.
The interactions during the visit demystified many misconceptions about the transgender community, fostering a sense of solidarity and support. It highlighted the importance of listening to and learning from the experiences of transgender individuals, thereby enriching the brothers’ perspectives and fostering a more inclusive and compassionate approach to their future ministries.
This initiative by St John’s Regional Seminary is a testament to the evolving understanding of gender and social justice within religious communities. It reflects a growing recognition of the need to engage with and support all members of society, particularly those who have been historically marginalized. The visit to the transgender community in Visakhapatnam stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action for more inclusive and understanding interactions across societal divides.
