2009-06-18 13:10:42

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.







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