By I P Sarto
Dumka, Oct 16, 2023: About 600 delegates attending a Basic Ecclesial community Synod convention were welcomed by five parishes of Dumka diocese in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand state.
The parishioners, on an exposure program, on October 14 welcomed bishops, priests and nuns by washing their feet, making them walk on leaves from the entrance of the compound to the church.
“I was touched by the joyful welcome and deep faith of the Santhal Tribals,” said Emeritus Bishop Salvadore Lobo of Baruipur, one of the delegates who represented 20 dioceses of eastern India and the Andamans.
Dumka, the second capital of Jharkhand, is some 250 km northwest of Kolkata.
The October 12-15 convention allowed faith sharing by the participants.
This exposure was to strengthen the faith of the tribals and to bring unity among them, said Holy Cross Sister Christin Joseph, one of the organizers of the convention.
The delegates also shared their BEC experiences with the parishioners. The interaction was enriching and we learned a lot from one another, said Mala Sherpa from Sikkim.
Sonaton Mardi, 19, from Asansol diocese in West Bengal, and Prachi Murmu, 12, from Dumka, shared how BECs have influenced their personal life and their parents to have deep faith in Christ. Their sharing was a great inspiration to the youth and children, said Father Goutam Naskar from Baruipur.
Mahendra Gurung from Sikkim shared how the BEC animators in his state went out immediately on October 5 to help those affected by floods, thunder burst and landslides in the hilly region. Sikkim was affected by natural calamity on October 4.
“We immediately identified 50 people admitted to hospital who needed blood,” said Gurung. He also shared how BECs function in Darjeeling diocese with all men, women and children participating in the Gospel sharing actively. The BECs did relief work during the pandemic in 2020-2021.
“Gurung’s sharing touched my hearts, now I shall work actively for BEC promotion,” said Father Charles Hansda of Dumka diocese.
Alexander Joseph from Port Blair said he was visiting Jharkhand for the first time. “The experience of the BEC convention enriched me. I shall share with all people in Andaman the importance of BECs and to promote BECs for lay empowerment,” he told Matters India.
“Our parishioners were also thrilled to welcome the convention delegates and to interact with them personally”, said Sister Meena Tirkey , a member of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help Christians who promotes BEC in Dumka town.