Talcher: Six Catholic couples, who defied tribal customary laws, celebrated their marriage’s silver jubilee in an eastern Indian parish.

Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar led the jubilee Mass on February 19 at Catholic Church, Talcher in Anugul district, the coal city of Odisha.

The Divine World prelate congratulated the couples and reminded them it was God’s unconditional love that helped them complete 25 years of marriage.

“As honest and faithful followers of Christ we are called to do what we can to live our lives according to different set of rules. We can proclaim that God alone is sovereign. He is the Lord of all creation, and all that is on earth,” he said in his homily.

About 14 priests, 10 nuns and about 1,500 attended the ceremonies.

Parish priest Fr. Joseph Dungdung washed the couples’ hands and welcomed them into the church by applying tilak on their foreheads.

The couples renewed their marriage promises after homily.

They also thanked God for keeping them together for a quarter century. They are Mourice Kullu and Lilly Clarencia Baa, Victor zkiro and Florencia Kullu, Tartitius Kerketta and Emerencia Barwa, Alexander Barla and Catherina Xess, Praful Kujurand Ajita Ku. Dungdung, Joy Singh and Jyoti Soy.

The parish priest explained that the couples had married outside their clan. “These marriages were unique because love had broken the tradition and culture to marry outside their tribe,” he explained.

Among the couples, Emrencia Barwa is an Oraon tribal while her husband Tartitius Kerketta is from the Khadia tribe.

Praful Kujur, is Oraon while his wife Ajita Dungdung is a Khadia.

Tartius Kerketta, a Khadia, married Emerncia Barwa, Oraon.

Tribal laws forbid such marriages.

Jyoti Soy, one of the women, said she understood their marriage vows’ meaning better after her husband fell ill. “We were young energetic in the time of marriage. Now my husband is sick yet the marriage promises are very fresh that we will be together in the time of joy and happiness, in the time of sickness and difficulties,” she told Matters India.

Emrencia Barwa, another woman, said she was happy and proud that their children witnessed their marriage renewal. “We are grateful to God, our parents, neighbor, and dear and near ones,” she added.

Mourice Kullu said their marriage has seen ups and down, but God helped them to overcome difficulties. “We sometimes agreed to disagree on some issues, but grew together in love,” she told Matters India.

Odisha has 62 tribes in 13 districts. The Catholic Church accepts inter-tribe marriages.

However, tribal councils oppose and restrict such marriages and at times fine the defying couples.