The Catholic Church in Odisha plans to invite all cardinals, archbishops and bishops of India to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the persecution of Christian in the Kandhamal district of the eastern Indian state. The Church expects all prelates along with hundreds of priests and nuns from all over India at the solemn Mass on August 25 on the St Joseph’s School Ground in Bhubaneswar, the state capital. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India will also collaborate with the program, says the prelate in the June issue of the archdiocesan official circular.
As reported by mattersindia.com, a message from His Grace Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, the chief organizer of the program read, “We are persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed. Let us rise up from the ashes of 2008 Kandhamal riot. As we complete 10 years of the Kandhamal violence, we are planning to pray in the name of the Kandhamal Church.” Archbishop Barwa says the Church has experienced God’s powerful presence and accompaniment during all hardships and persecutions down the centuries. Everything happens for a purpose, said the Divine Word prelate, who added, “Let’s pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the persecuted Christians of Kandhamal and for their continuous growth in faith.”
The prelate said at the commemorative Mass on August 25 the Indian Church will pay homage to the Kandhamal martyrs, who inspire and encourage Christians in the country to witness their faith at all times.
Source: www.mattersindia.com
