Help as many poor children as possible: First Dalit cardinal

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The first “Dalit” Cardinal in history, Archbishop Anthony Poola of Hyderabad who will be created a cardinal at the August 27 Consistory, says his mission had been “to help as many poor children as possible.”

Derived from Sanskrit, the word “Dalit” means “broken” or “downtrodden,” and refers to those so low in ‎social status ‎that they are considered outcasts or outside the four-tier caste system of Hindu society. Often referred to as “untouchables,” these people have been greatly exploited and subject to atrocities.

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News, the 60-year-old future cardinal reflects on how the caste system, even if technically abolished, still has remnants, what it is like serving India’s ‘untouchables’, and the current state of religious freedom for India’s small Christian minority.

What were you doing when you learned that Pope Francis nominated you to be cardinal?

I was in Kerala state that day to attend the golden jubilee valedictory function of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal moment. Some of my friends from Sardinia and Catania sent a message to me. Congratulations to you for being appointed as cardinal. My friend doesn’t understand English so well. Then I said I am only Archbishop of Hyderabad, and not cardinal; and it is 14 months that I have been serving here. Then they sent the link. This is what Pope Francis announced today. They told me your name is there at 17 minutes, 12 or 13 seconds, or something like that.

What does the nomination mean to you personally and how do you most look forward to helping the Holy Father and advising Pope Francis?

I was in shock. It was like surprise news for me, that I never expected. I never dreamt. But for me, I feel it is the grace of God and it is His will through Pope Francis, that I receive the call. Pope Francis, our Holy Father. I deem it as a great opportunity for me to serve the people, to serve the people in South India and all sectors of the people, especially Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

How do you interpret Pope Francis having chosen the first “Dalit” cardinal in history? What message do you believe the Holy Father is trying to send?

I understood from the time Pope Francis took up the office of pontiff that he been an embodiment of love, compassion and reaching out to the periphery, the poorest of the poor. That’s why as we always give priority to the poor and marginalized, we have a strong message of “a poor Church for the poor.” I can say whenever some kind of destruction came, through a cyclone or other natural disasters, or recently the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, I see the concern of the Holy Father toward all the people of the universe. In a special way, I think, maybe this is a situation where the Pope is expecting me to solve the problems of the poor, need marginalized, and maybe also Dalits. This doesn’t mean that we ignore the other people who are under our care as shepherds. It is my responsibility to take care of all the people entrusted to me according to their needs.

And the caste system in India technically has been abolished. But what really is the situation on the ground?

The caste system [was] abolished, we can say, but there are some social factors. Well, we cannot completely say that they’ve been abolished. But the real situation and the ground reality, as for your question, there are some differences. There are some people who are really fighting for recognition of their talent and the different activities they are doing. Long ago, there was no possibility for Dalit, “the untouchables” to have access to school or education. But now the government in India, especially in our states, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh where I come from, there are greater opportunities given to these marginalized, poor and Dalits, which also respect and encourage the poor people to go to school and pursue studies. Some become well-educated and are looking for a life. But they are treated differently as they aren’t ‘locals.’ There is a little bit of jealousy among human nature. I think what I expect from the people and what we try to practice, is raising awareness about people and situations, also these good situations, and trying to bring equality among all people.

Could you give an example of something that you’ve seen in your ministry to the Dalit people or to the poorest people of India that has particularly moved you or left a lasting impression?

I was born in Kurnool diocese, but I studied for neighboring Kadapa diocese. I signed up after my graduation as a seminarian and as a priest; my interest was to serve the people, whether on the parish level and deanery level or in the institution and I served as the in charge for sponsorship program. But there are remote villages in every parish. These places are very poor and drought prone areas. When we have to go to the villages, we can do so only in the evening as people will go for work during the day. They come only in the evening. We ring the bell at the church and we gather the children and teach them catechism. And people sometimes have to cook and come to the church. It is wonderful to watch. That instilled in me compassion and love, and a great responsibility for children — give them the gift of education because they don’t have money or assets to sell. But if you give them education, that will be a great gift. I am looking into my own life story.

How so?

After seventh grade I had to take a break because of poverty. I thought that is the end of my education. But it was mainly missionaries who took interest and brought me to Kadapa and helped me go for education. Therefore, after my Bachelor of Arts course, I felt that I didn’t have any connection with this missionary. But they took charge of me and helped me go to school and made me worth. That is the reason why I want to join the seminary. I went to Kadapa.

My intention was to help as many poor children as possible. This was my priority when I visited villages and wherever I worked as a parish priest. It was a beautiful moment for me. Whenever I see poor children, I take them in my car and put them in boarding homes. The lay missionaries also had a jeep. In those days, there were trunk boxes, those who go to hostels used these boxes to put their uniforms, the plate and everything else. And they take the children and entrust in the boarding to the director, which is in the parish or in the school. That impressed me. That’s why I tried to do much ministry in the villages.

This inspired your ministry?

All my life I have been a simple priest, simple missionary. I worked almost ten years as missionary. Then couple of years I went to the USA to pursue some studies, but I did mostly the parish work as an associate. When I came back again, I was given the sponsorship program. I was also in charge like a deputy manager of all Catholic schools in the diocese. There I had a vibrant ministry to reach out these poor people. Some 90% of them are Dalit, marginalized. There are also other sections where there are poor people where we need to attend to their needs.

What types of discrimination or mistreatment have you seen?

There is a system in the village. There’s a social stigma. What are we going to do? We can’t help it. Our houses used to be at the north end of the village to the corner of the village. When we go to the higher caste people, sometimes, when we are thirsty, there used to be a well. When we are thirsty, they will pour in our hand, and we have to drink water. But that wasn’t painful because we had accepted that social stigma. But this type of discrimination was not seen in the town or the biggest cities. That practice does not exist now, I mean, drinking from your hand or using separate plates and glasses for the Dalits.

Have you ever felt in danger doing your work?

See, we have the freedom of religion. An Indian citizen has the freedom to exercise, to accept any religion and live accordingly. In South India, with my experience, I can say we are very free. We do not take side with political parties. Anybody who is in authority, we give our 100 percent cooperation. I haven’t faced any danger doing my work because we don’t discriminate Hindus, Muslims or Christians. We treat them equally and we consider all of them as God’s children.

How is the situation for the Christian minority in India in general today?

In general, some kind of threat has been created. Some incidents do take place in different parts of India, especially in the north. There are some fanatic groups. But when we approach the government, they are very cooperative, understanding and amicable. They try to solve the problems. But in Karnataka, the destruction of some statues and other things was disappointing for us. But here, in some places, very minor incidents have taken place. But when we approached the government, security is promised to us totally 100 percent, I can say.

Do you have a specific devotion or saint you pray to often who helps you from day to day?

I have a great devotion to our Blessed Virgin Mary. In our village there was a chapel. There was a divine statue of Mother Mary, especially Our Lady of Lourdes. I have a special devotion to her, and in my difficulty, I pray, even wherever I am in my office. Also, on both my sides, there will be Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Vailankanni [Indian Apparition]. I have a special devotion to her. From childhood, this has been my practice.

Whenever I am in difficulties, I pray. I pray to Mother Mary, and I experience consolation. In prayer, I offer all my work and problems. I have experienced success. Since my name is Anthony, I have devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua too. Whenever I pray, I can firmly say I had help through the powerful intercession of Mother Mary and the intercession of Saint Anthony of Padua.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-06/dalit-india-consistory-cardinal-anthony-poola-interview.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NewsletterVN-EN