By Augustine Singh
Bhubaneswar: Catholic priests in India need to work more for justice and human rights issues defending the poor and the marginalized, said Father X. D. Selvaraj, president of the Catholic Priests’ Conference of India (CPCI).
“CPCI is progressively oriented priest coming together, reasonably to inspire and encourage fellow priests and communities and to fulfil their ministry in a prophetic manner,” said Father Selvaraj.
The CPCI is an association of progressive diocesan priests of India. It began in 1987.
The priest was speaking at the 31st annual meet in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Eastern India on September 25.
More than 42 priests of the CPCI, working in different parts of the country have gathered in Bhubaneswar, in view of deliberating on the theme “Social Justice and Human Rights” and in relation to the constitution and to make pilgrimage visit to Kandhamal in the 10th year of the infamous Kandhamal anti-Christian persecution in 2007 and 2008.
“CPCI is to enable the members to read the signs of time and live accordingly, bearing the spirituality very special to the diocesan clergy to address to the need of social and pastoral needs of people and society and social justice in particular,” Father Selvaraj appealed the priests.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop Niranjan Sualsingh of Sambalpur, Odisha, said, “We the diocesan priests share the same priesthood of Jesus. Whatever work we are engaged we need to remember this aspect. Hence, unity and cooperation among the priests are important to be creative, fruitful and Effective.”
“Globalisation, liberalisation and multinational investment generally aim at capitalism — profit-oriented, however not so much for the human dignity and quality living.” According to him violence in the society is because of greed and lack of respect for human life,” the bishop added.
He stressed the constitution based freedom of speech and equality and fair opportunities to people as per their condition.” He exhorted the priests, “Priests need to come out from their comfort zone and plunge into society so that the community members would live with dignity.”
Father Ajaya Kumar Singh, a noted social activist, and committed minority rights and human rights activist, was honoured and recognised for his outstanding contribution towards the human rights, and work for minority and marginalized.
Father Singh in his keynote address highlighted the socio-economic situation of Kandhamal and Odisha.
He shared with the priests some of the convictions and posed, “If priests do not have the sense of rights and dignity in them, how can they help people enjoy their rights and dignity?”
He further said, “No social development would be complete without human rights and human dignity and justice.”
There was also a sharing session of experience during and in the aftermath of the Kandhamal violence in 2007 and 2008 against the Christians.
The priests availed the opportunity to express their plight during the violence, and how they were protected by Jesus.
According to them, “The rehabilitation and compensation and other endeavours still to be done. There is still fear among the survivors. Hundreds of them are not back to their villages and a big number of people were forced to be migrated or even trafficked.”
The CPCI members have the plan to meet the survivors of the violence in their own villages to be able to empathize with them and as a part of their pilgrimage to Kandhamal, before they wind up the programme on 27 September.