Polarisation, Populism, And the Erosion of Social Trust: The Indian Church’s Challenge and Call to Renewal

Abstract

This article explores the growing erosion of social trust in Indian society, exacerbated by deepening political and social polarisation. Amidst these challenges, it examines the potential of the Indian Church—given its substantial influence in education, healthcare, and social services—as a vital force for rebuilding trust and fostering social cohesion. However, the article contends that for the Church to assume this role effectively, it must undergo significant hierarchical reform. Central to this transformation is the need for greater accountability within the clergy and ecclesiastical leadership, grounded in the principles of synodality and James Keenan’s ethics of vulnerability. By embracing these frameworks, the Church can cultivate a more participatory and transparent structure, positioning itself as a credible agent of trust restoration in a fragmented society.