Indian priests follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, man’s liberator

MUMBAI, June 24, 2009, 10.00 Hrs (AsiaNews):

On the occasion of the Year of Priests AsiaNews asked Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and President of the Catholic Conference of Bishops’ of India (CCBI), for his thoughts about the importance and value of this initiative for the Church in India.

The cardinal inaugurated the Year with a solemn celebration in the Clergy Home in Bandra, which houses Mumbai’s retired priests. He chose this place for three reasons:

“Firstly, to show them our affection, our appreciation for their priestly ministry so faithfully carried out for so many years—it is as a gift to them; secondly, for their apostleship of prayer which makes our senior priests a power house of prayer for the Church in India and the Universal Church; and finally because our retired priests have a wealth of wisdom that stems from their pastoral ministry and experience—their graces will shine on all our Presbyterians all over.”

India is a country of great religious tradition in which priests are acknowledged and respected as men of prayer and spirituality; men who have dedicated their lives to God, who bear witness through their life and by living the values of the Gospel. In India priests spend their lives for others and for us priestly vocations are a huge blessing.

God has blessed India and the Indian Catholic Church with many vocations which it shares with the rest of the world. Our priests go out into the world; administer the Sacraments for the entire people of God; serve the Universal Church in its various ministries; offer their contribution to the spiritual life of so many people.

This year, which is dedicated to the priesthood, is a gift because it allows the Church to continue priestly training, enhance their spirituality and service orientation and reinforce their human qualities so that they can be more effective ministers.

In India, religion is a way of life; it is an integral part of India’s traditions. For most people, religion permeates every aspect of life, and in many parts of India, our priests and bishops are called Swami, men who are revered for their sanctity, respected for their ability to communicate with God and lead people to God. They play a significant role in people’s lives and in society.

There are many challenges for priests in India. People look up to priests for guidance and help in the social sphere, education and health. They look up for spiritual guidance from a man who serves, who is at the service of both God and Man.

Unfortunately in many parts of our beloved motherland, priests have been targeted when they minister to empower the most marginalised and backward groups in society. Our priests have been toiling selflessly for the poorest of the poor, for Dalits and Tribals, trying to empower them through education, make them self-reliant and clothe them with human dignity. Sadly this has been the cause of much resentment among some elements in the upper castes who can no longer oppress, exploit and subjugate people who are almost always at the bottom of the social order.

Following in the footsteps of the priest Jesus Christ, priests in India have been breaking down social barriers; they have been empowering our poor, Tribals and Dalits for a life of self-reliance and dignity. We have seen how the persecution of Catholic priests is due to their charisma which has enabled them to stop social injustice. The mission of Christ was to liberate people and the Church in India is blessed to be walking in His path.

Most recently, I was anguished and pained at the persecution and suffering of our priests in Kandhamal, in Orissa, about the specific manner in which our religious were targeted and the sadism of fundamentalist forces. The liberative mission of Catholic priests is always opposed by those who want to keep the people in bondage.

(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)