Nagpur: Catholic religious men and women are targeted in various parts of India because some people do not approve the social transformation they are bringing among the poor in the country, says a Divine Word missionary.

“The enormous contribution the religious bringing into society through value education and through healthcare ministries is commendable. The social transformation visible in remote areas has attracted everyone’s attention. And for this we are targeted often,” Fr Xavier Thirukudumbam told a gathering of Catholic religious in Nagpur.

The priest, who is the provincial superior of Divine Word congregation in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, guided more than 500 nuns and nearly 100 diocesan and religious priests who had come together on October 25 to celebrate the Year of the Consecrated people.

The daylong event organized by Nagpur archdiocese at St Francis De Sales Cathedral in response to Pope Francis’ call to the consecrated persons to “Wake up the World.”

“Our members continue their fight for social justice and freedom in spite of the persecution they face at different places, in different forms,” the priest asserted. “We are more and more identifying ourselves with the poor and marginalized,” he added.

He also pointed out the consecrated persons are “deeply engaged in pastoral ministries and missionary activities, venturing into new mission fields in India.”

Several Catholic nuns working among were raped or murdered and many priests were attacked in the past few decades.

Now many Indian religious are involved in re-evangelization in the West, he added.

He reminded the gathering that the Pope wants to be happy consecrated persons so that they can become “radiant prophet in today’s world. The distinctive sign of a consecrated person is to be prophet- the one who can announce the good tidings and denounce injustice.”

Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara of Nagpur in his homily “appreciated all the consecrated persons for their life and ministry in the Church.”

“The key word of Consecrated life is ‘Joy’” and though we are persecuted often we are a joyful people. We have a role to play in the world of today—the prophet of good tidings. Each of you is a prophet appointed to preach the Word.”

Archbishop Viruthakulangara hailed the consecrated persons as the asset of the Church and said: “The Church is rich in service because of you. You dare to reach the remote areas of the country where others cannot reach, bringing the light of education and medical facilities to our less privileged brethren.”

Archdiocese of Nagpur has some 50 religious congregations involved in education, medical field and social work.

Symbolizing each of them, 50 sisters performed an aarthi (floral oblation) during the Mass.

The gathering also honored 20 consecrated persons who have completed 60 years of consecrated life.

Each congregation displayed their charism and mission at an exhibition in the cathedral premises.

A souvenir detailing the same was released during the concluding program.

Biblical skits, dances and other cultural programs helped reaffirm the joy of the consecrated persons living the Gospel values amid persecutions.

The program included input sessions, Holy Hour, Concelebrated Eucharist, besides cultural programs by various religious institutions.