Fr. Edward says his suffering in Orissa, a gift for the Year for Priests
(July 23, 2009) "God has allowed this to happen to me so I could bear witness to
the faith of priests and solidarity towards all the priests of the world who suffer
in His name,” said Fr Edward Sequeira as he celebrated the 25 years of his Priestly
Ordination on July 18th at his native village in Mangalore. The SVD priest
was among the first victims of anti-Christian violence in Orissa, and survived the
attack to be back again to work in the missions. The anniversary falls as the Church
celebrates the Year of priests. For the Divine Word Missionary priest this coincidence
is another "sign of the work of Divine Providence" in the past year. He recalled that
on 25th of August last, 500 Hindus fundamentalist attacked the orphanage of Fr Sequeira
at Padampur in the district of Kandhamal, setting it on fire. Rajni Majhi, a twenty-year-old
who helped him as an educator, died in the blaze and he himself risked dying carbonized.
He further added that "It is only by the grace of God that I am alive today. Like
a loving father he saved me so I can witness His name." This past year he said, has
been a spiritual journey and a renewal of his priestly vocation. A priest is ordained
to identify himself with Christ. Christ carried the Cross and was crucified on the
Cross- and a Priest is called to live every day this incomparable value of his vocation.
Fr Edward said that his 83 year old mother has been an immense source of strength.
She had stood by him especially during the last year, praying for him. When he was
attacked she gathered the family, neighbours and others to pray the Rosary for his
recovery.