Indian bishops honour director, producer of Face of the Faceless for inspiring Synodal Lay leadership

The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) honoured Dr. Shaison P Ouseph, the director of the heart-touching film Face of the Faceless, along with its producer Sandra D' Souza Rana, in recognition of their powerful storytelling and contribution to faith and social justice.

The felicitation took place during the 36th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI, on January 30, 2025, where the movie was screened before bishops, clergy and lay leaders.

The film about Rani Maria Vattalil (January 29, 1954–February 25, 1995) was about an Indian Catholic nun and social worker in the Franciscan Clarist congregation.

She worked in the Diocese of Indore. She dedicated herself to catechetical formation and educational instruction in different areas of the region. She was vocal in matters of social justice, which led to her murder by those opposed to her aid of the poor. A hitman, Samandar Singh, murdered her at Nachanbore Hill in Indore on February 25, 1995, while she made her way to Indore on a bus.

After her death, the canonization process began, and on November 4, 2017, Indore, she was beatified.

The film portrays the struggles of the marginalized, through a unique retelling of Christ’s message, deeply moved the audience and reinforced the Church’s mission of justice and compassion.

Archbishop John Rodrigues of Bombay, who facilitated on behalf of the CCBI, praised the filmmaking team for being a model of synodal lay leadership.

“They have narrated the story of Jesus in a way that resonates with today’s world, touching hearts and inspiring action,” he said. “Their work encourages many to stand with the poor and the exploited.”

Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, the President of CCBI, presented a memento to Shaison P Ouseph and Sandra D' Souza Rana as a token of appreciation for their contribution to faith-based storytelling.

Archbishop George Antonysamy, Vice President of CCBI, further honoured them with a traditional Indian shawl, acknowledging their artistic and social impact.

Reflecting on the film, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore described it as “heart-touching” and admitted watching it with tears in his eyes.

“This movie is a profound model of lay involvement in the Church. It demonstrates how the laity, through creative expressions like cinema, can deepen the faith and advocate for justice,” he remarked.

The screening of Face of the Faceless at the Plenary Assembly served as a reminder of the power of storytelling in evangelization and social transformation, inspiring many within the Church to continue working for a more just and compassionate society. - Stephen Alathara