First Bhil tribal bishop ordained in Jhabua, India
(June 18, 2009) The first bishop to be ordained from the Bhil tribal community says
he want to "empower" his people "socially, economically and politically." Bishop Devaprasad
Ganawa of Jhabua said this on the occasion of his June 16 Episcopal ordination that
he wants to take up "a holistic revival plan" for his community with the people's
support. The Divine Word prelate also stressed the need to protect tribal dialects,
culture and traditions, as well as fight increasing drug and alcohol abuse that have
become part of tribal life. About 10,000 people, mostly Bhil tribal Catholics, attended
the ordination ceremony, with many saying they have high hopes that the new bishop
would help them develop as a Church community. The predominantly tribal diocese in
central Indian Madhya Pradesh state, created in 2002, has been without a bishop since
its first prelate, Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal, was transferred to neighbouring Indore
diocese in October 2008. Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal led the ordination ceremony,
which saw tribal people in traditional dress dancing to the beat of drums. Eleven
other bishops, including three archbishops, more than 300 priests and about 500 nuns
also attended. Fifty-eight-year old Bishop Ganawa heads a diocese of about 31,000
Catholics in an area which is home to about 4 million people, mostly Hindus. Presently,
14 of the 61 priests in the diocese are from the Bhil community.