By Purushottam Nayak
Kandhamal: Catholics in Odisha, especially the Kandhamal survivors, have organized for the victims of floods in Kerala.
“The people of Kerala were the first to support us during the Kandhamal violence of 2007-2008,” said Father Manoranjan Singh, one of the three Catholic priests who celebrated Mass on August 19 for the flood victims at Our Lady of Charity Parish, Raikia. More than 3,000 people, all survivors of the worst anti-Christian violence in modern Indian history, attended the Mass.
“It is said “A fiend in need is a friend indeed.” Let us remember the “Samaritan” attitude of Kerala people,” said Father Singh, who is a victim of Kandhamal violence.
Father Jibanta Nayak, the main celebrant and a native of Tiangia, the worst affected village of anti-Christian violence, said Mass helps people’s spiritual growth and personal bonding.
Masses in many parishes in Odisha had the same intention.
“The Church in Odisha expresses her solidarity with the people of Kerala and offers her sincere condolences to all those families who have lost their dear ones,” said Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, chairperson of the Odisha Catholic Bishops’ Council.
He said Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the head of the Catholic Church in India, has urged Catholics in the country to generously support the people of Kerala.
“Let us support financially to rebuild the lives of the people and communities with rehabilitation and restoration of livelihoods” Archbishop Barwa said.
Father Ajay Singh, a human rights activist, said they would organize funds mobilization for the flood victims. “We could appeal to individuals, parishes and institutions. Kerala people have always stood by us and we could be prepared to volunteers for the immediate relief as well as later as and when needed,” he added.
The Society of Divine Word, a major congregation working in Odisha, has appeals to all to extend financial support to the flood victims of Kerala.
Bipro Charan Nayak, president of the Kandhamal Survivors Association, acknowledged the “real missionary zeal” priests and nuns from Kerala who work in Odisha. “We offer special prayers and petitions for the flood victims of Kerala state,” he added.
Suprobha Nayak, a tenth grader from Tiangia studying in St. Catherine Girl’s High School, said the nuns from Kerala “are so much dedicated and committed to educate and support us in our education. We are very sad after knowing the tragedy of Kerala state.”
Kanaka Rekha Nayak, a widow, said, “We are praying without ceasing for the people of Kerala in this time of tragedy.”
On August 17, Kandhamal organized fast and prayer for Kerala. Children of Kandhamal survivors in Tangia parish conducted Eucharistic Adoration led by Father Pradosh Chandra Nayak, vicar general of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar archdiocese that covers Kandhamal. Sister Goreti Senapati, superior of the local convent of Daughters of Charity, took the initiative.
Sister Anne Pallasely of the same congregation, a native of Kerala, said her house was fully immersed in water. “We have lost everything,” said the nun who works in a dispensary in Raikia, Kandhamal.
More than 400 people died and hundreds of thousands rendered homeless in Kerala after rains battered the southern Indian state for nearly two months, forcing authorities to open all its 42 dams.