Priest publishes book on history of Christianity in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A priest from Cuttack-Bhubaneswar archdiocese has published a book on the history of Christianity in Odisha.

Fr. Anselm Francis Biswal’s book “Christianity through the Centuries” in Odia language is first of its kind and has 21 chapters that cover the history of the eastern Indian state from first to twenty first century.

“Normally it is not possible and practical for a common man to read and know the lengthy history of Catholic Church. I published the book to fill the gap,” Father Biswal told Matters India.

He says the book presents the history of Christianity in a simple yet attractive way to Odia readers who, otherwise, have not other recourse to such books.

The 161-page book tries to relate faith and practice of Christians in the backdrop of history and interprets its significance. He says books have no significance if they do not relate to life and induce interior changes.

The author takes the memory lane of Christianity through the centuries. It is a journey into the past with faith and hope. The book highlights the church as it lived its faith among the people of various nations and cultures as salt of the earth and light of the world.

The readers will be encouraged to find the fulfillment of the primary task of the church, namely to be a sacrament of salvation to humanity. The book will also help the believer to feel with the church and it will help the readers to find a new horizon of understanding.

This is the author’s third book. His previous books include “Catholic Social Teaching” in Odia and “The Little Mustard Seed” in English. He has also produced an Odia fild on birth of Christ.

Born in 1935, Father has worked in many capacities as priest in different parishes in Odisha and he was social service director of Catholic Charities, the social service wing of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archdiocese. At present he is on the staff and spiritual director at Khristo Jyoti Mohavidyaloyo, inter-diocesan seminary at Sambalpur, western Odisha.

In a massage, Divine Word Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and chairman of Odisha Catholic Bishops’ Council, said the book will help readers to strengthen their Christian faith.

Writing forward in the book, Divine Word Father Jesuraj Rayappan, principal and professor of Church history at Khristo Jyoti Mohavidyaloyo, said, “As a student of the history of the church I wish to thank Fr. Biswal for having undertaken this noble and gigantic task of sharing his knowledge and experience with the people who are hungering for the church history. The pages that the readers are going to glance through are not just pious expressions of a loyal Christian but these are interpretation of events which give meaning to our beliefs and practices.”