By Purushottam Nayak

Bhubaneswar, Oct 25, 2023: The Vatican has given a go-ahead to start the beatification process for 35 people who were martyred for their faith during the 2008 anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal in eastern India.

A message from Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli to Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar says the Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has granted “no objection” to initiate the process of beatification for the Servant of God Kanteeswar Digal and companions, “martyrs of Kandhamal.”

The letter shared with the media on October 15 was dated October 18.

It says the nuncio is pleased to forward to the archbishop an October 2 letter from the dicastery.

The dicastery was responding to Archbishop Barwa’s May 31 letter requesting the Vatican to consider beatification for the 35.

Archbishop Barwa’s proposal was approved and recommended to the Vatican by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India during its plenary assembly held January 24-30 at Bengaluru.

The news has been welcomed by people associated with the martyrs of Kandhamal for 15 years.

“It is indeed a great tribute for the simple villagers who followed Jesus on the Calvary,” says Father Ajay Kumar Singh, a social activist who has been fighting for justice for the Kandhamal survivors.

The Kandhamal martyrs “could have succumbed to temptations of denying faith and Jesus as most of the attackers gave the options of death or conversion to Hinduism. It is testimony of their faith and belief that priorities over comforts, family and world,” Father Singh told Matters India.

Rajendra Digal, son of the Servant of God, thanked the Vatican for the permission to start the process of sainthood of his father and others. “It is a proud moment for me that my father died for the faith in Christ. He is the true witness to the whole world of firm faith in God,” he told Matters India.

The 35 martyrs are 24 men and 11 women. They are:

1. Father Bernard Digal
2. Juboraj Digal
3. Sibino Pradhan
4. Raghapati Digal
5. Kantheswar digal
6. Bikram Nayak
7. Rajesh Digal
8. Trinath Digal
9. Parikhita Nayak
10. Suchitra Digal
11. Lensa Digal
12. Subedana Nayak
13. Mayagini digal
14. Jhunima Parichha
15. Bastina Montry
16. Priya Darshoni Nayak
17. Dustina Parichha
18. Sirel Parichha
19. Bhumika digal
20. Tepan Nayak
21. Badani Digal
22. Digamber Digal
23. Lalita Digal
24. Augustine Digal
25. Tileswar Paltasingh
26. Kundan Montry
27. Hemant Digal
28. Bibhisana Digal
29. Reboti Parichha
30. Melanio Digal
31. Krushna Nayak
32. Jamadei Pradhan
33. Baliarsingh Digal
34. Gonda Digal
35. Mary Pani