By F. M. Britto
Raipur, Feb 8, 2023: The archdiocese of Raipur on February 8 celebrated the golden jubilee of its formation.
“I wish this celebration gives you new impetus to build the kingdom of God in Chhattisgarh,” said Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, who was the chief guest of the celebration at Amlidih, Raipur.
Congratulating for the dedicated services of the diocese over the past 50 years, the nuncio said, “You have grown over the years in spiritual life.”
Remarking on the local gifts of steel, coal and rice brought at the offertory procession, the Vatican representative remarked, “You have been blessed with God’s gifts.”
“Chhattisgarh is known for its culture and the people are very friendly. I experience that,” he remarked.
Bhupesh Baghel, the Congress chief minister of the state, said, “Missionaries in the state are known for their services, especially in the field of education and health care.” He appreciated the special services rendered to the lepers at Abhanpur and during the Covid-19 time.
Cardinal Anthony Poola, the archbishop of Hyderabad who was present, said he saw “the spirit of synodality among you.”
The first missionaries to the region were the Fransalian priests, who halted at Raipur when they travelled by bullock cart from Visakhapatnam to Nagpur, to serve the few Catholics there.
Later missionaries from Nagpur served this region.
Bifurcating from Nagpur, three civil districts around Raipur region was entrusted to the South German province of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, commonly known as the Pallottine Fathers, on June 27, 1950. Declared an Apostolic Prefecture on January 16, 1964, German Pallottine Father John Weidner was appointed its prefect apostolic.
It was raised as a diocese on July 5, 1973, and Monsignor Weidner was nominated the apostolic administrator on February 8, 1974.
Monsignor Weidner died suddenly on August 17, 1974, at the age of 56. He was succeeded by another pioneering German Pallottine missionary, Father Francis Werner Hunold on Aug 23, 1975. After his resignation in 1983, Jesuit Bishop Philip Ekka, transferred from Ambikapur, was installed as Raipur’s first bishop on January 6, 1985.
Bishop Joseph Augustine succeeded him on June 6, 2004, followed by Bishop Victor Henry Thakur – both were of Raipur diocesan clergy.
In an area of 60, 814 square kilometers, with 19 civil districts, 92 diocesan clergy, 81 Religious priests and nuns belonging to 31 religious congregations serve the 68 parishes and various institutions of the archdiocese.
Raipur diocese in the capital of Chhattisgarh was raised as an archdiocese on March 18, 2004. Raigarh, Ambikapur, Jashpur and Jagadalpur are its suffragan dioceses.
During the Jubilee year, many spiritual, pastoral, social, cultural and welfare programs were organized in parishes, deaneries and diocesan levels.
The jubilee celebration was attended by a number of Catholics, priests and nuns from all the parishes and missions of the archdiocese, besides many bishops, civil dignitaries and guests.
The jubilee began on July 15, 2022, with the Mass, hoisting of the jubilee flag, and presenting the jubilee logo, ‘Rooted in Christ for the life of the world’ by Archbishop Thakur in Raipur in the presence of many faithful.
Although the jubilee program was celebrated on February 8 for the convenience of all, the jubilee year will conclude on July 5.