Bhubaneswar—A Catholic priest from Kandhamal district, Odisha, eastern India, has been assigned to serve in a Catholic diocese, Ireland.
Father Dusmanta Mahanayak (52), a diocesan clergy from Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archdiocese, Odisha, has been appointed to serve in the diocese Elphin, Northern Ireland. Father Mahanayak arrived in Ireland on August 17. He is first from Kandhamal and Odisha to be in Ireland as foreign missionary.
Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, was present at the Dublin Airport to receive the foreign missionary.
Fr. Mahanayak is the first priest from Kandhamal district, which is a key part of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and the district that witnessed anti-Christian persecution in 2007 and 2008 and Odisha, to be assigned to Ireland.
This comes as a common mission partnership between the Diocese of Elphin and Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archdiocese, Odisha.
When Archbishop John Barwa SVD of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar visited Ireland, particularly Elphin Diocese in 2012, it was a desired expressed by Bishop Christopher Jones, Bishop Emeritus, whether Archbishop Barwa could send some of his priests to serve in Elphin diocese. Then incumbent Bishop Doran followed the matter.
It is a great beginning that a priest from Odisha, India, has arrived serve in the diocese of Elphin, said Bishop Doran.
On the other hand, Archbishop Barwa expressed his happiness that Father Mahanayak showed interest for the overseas missionary assignment. “We thank Bishop Doran for his willingness to accept one of my priests into his diocese,” the prelate said.
Father Mahanayak, ordained in 1994, hails from Sacred Hearts of Jesus parish, Kattingia, Kandhamal district. He did his philosophy at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, a Pontifical Institute for Philosophy and Religions, at Pune, India, and theology at Khristo Jyoti Mahavidyalaya, the Regional Theologate of. Odisha, at Sason, Sambalpur. After his ordination he was appointed as pastor in several parishes and teacher at St. Paul’s Regional Minor Seminary, at Padanpur, Khurda District, Odisha. Prior to his overseas mission, he served as parish priest at Christ, the King Parish, Sikermaha, Kandhamal district.
“I am happy to serve in the diocese of Elphin. It is my initial anxiety that I have to learn the culture of the place and people and acclimatize myself to be immersed in the mission in Ireland. I trust that the providence of God will guide me and under the direction of Bishop Doran, I would do my best whatever pastoral responsibilities he will give me,” said Father Mahanayak, before leaving India for Ireland.