By Purushottam Nayak
Berhampur: A Catholic priest in Odisha, eastern India, has encouraged young people to use social media to connect with people during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Social network has become one of the means to keep in touch with the people,” says Father Bhanja Kishore Nayak, pastor of St. Teresa of Child Jesus Parish in Kotamaha under Berhampur diocese.
The 32-year-old priest encouraged young people such as Paras Kumar Singh, 24, Nitin Kumar Singh, 25, Alok Kumar Singh, 26, to reach out to people through their YouTube channel during the pandemic.
“Our hymns, praise and worship songs through YouTube channel can help faithful, priests, religious nuns to relate with the Lord Jesus Christ in the time of corona virus pandemic,” Father Nayak, singer, composer and the music director, told Matters India October 16.
Their effort was blessed by Bishop Sarat Nayak of Berhampur, who is vice president of the Odisha Catholic Bishop’s Council and chairman of the council’s Commission for Liturgy.
It is good that the laity, priests and Religious use social media for the spread of devotional hymns which help the faithful to pray well in their families and strengthen their faith,” the prelate told Matters India.
Bishop Nayak, however, cautioned that social media’s unlimited reach has no control. “So, matters need to be error free, theologically and linguistically, and sensitive to the diverse religious /cultural feelings of the people,” the prelate explained.
Father Nayak said they seek the bishop’s approval as they do not want their programs hurt anyone in a pluralistic society. “It is better to have the bishop’s permission and the text of the hymn approved by the liturgical commission of the diocese or of the regional commission,” said the priest who was ordained four years ago.
The channel has won approval of local Catholics. “I used to go to the church but now Covid-19 guidelines prohibit me. I was looking for a way to pray well at home. I found the hymns on the YouTube channel helpful,” said Remij Singh, 85 a retired Catholic police officer in Bamunigam.
Singh says Odisha has more than 1 million Christians but Catholic hymns Odia language “is very rare in social media.” He commended Father Nayak and youth team for using their talents in music to spread the Word of God.
“It has influenced young and old generations,” he added.
Kamala Parichha, 45, a Catholic mother, says, “Coronavirus can shut the churches but not our faith in Christ. Singing helps to pray and strengthen faith in God.:
According to her, song is a gift from God “to unite our heads and our hearts in praise. We sing in God’s presence. “To sing is to pray twice” she told Matters India.
Paras Kumar Singh is a music composer and key board player. Nitin and Alik play musical instruments Octapad an electronic drum and tabla musical instrument for the production of the liturgical hymns.
The team has successfully uploaded liturgical hymns in YouTube channel that reach out to all Christian denominations.
The team plans to compose more hymns and reach out to more people, provided some fund them.