Mission congress rekindles faith among tribal Catholics
(November 04, 2011) Catholics in central India have resolved to revive the faith
European missionaries introduced among their ancestors more than a century ago. Around
1,600 delegates from 200 parishes spread over five dioceses in Chhattisgarh state
attended a mission congress that ended October 28, during which attendees were urged
to be better witnesses for their faith in the predominantly Hindu nation. “We need
more light of Christ these days since there is too much darkness in the world,” Bishop
Paul Toppo of Raigarh said in his keynote address to the congress. Jesuit missionaries
from Belgium first introduced the Catholic faith to Oraon tribal people of central
and eastern India. Chhattisgarh state has over 400,000 Catholics, mostly tribal and
dalit people, in a population of 20.8 million. Participants in the congress acknowledged
the pioneering missionaries’ hard labour and the persecution suffered by the early
Christians, and resolved to live their faith boldly and to preserve their culture.
They also resolved to organize spiritual programs in an effort to revitalize Catholic
faith, and to implement new campaigns to curb social and human rights problems including
alcoholism, human trafficking, and government corruption that have hindered the spiritual
and economic growth of Catholic communities in the region. Bishop Emmanuel Kerketta
of Jashpur expressed his gratitude for the work of early missioners in educating people
for service to the Church and the nation. The Oraon tribal prelate said missionaries
from the region now serve the Church throughout the world.