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 18^th 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.