Matters India Reporter
Kolkata, November 16, 2024: A church renovator priest of Baruipur diocese located in the suburbs of Kolkata city marked silver jubilee of his priestly ordination at St Stephen’s Church Kalyanpur where he is at present the Parish Priest. He was ordained priest 25 years ago on 4th November 1999 at St Joseph’s Church Raghabpur in South 24 Parganas.
On Friday 15 November 2024 the jubilarian Fr Himangshu Poti was escorted to the altar by his father Mr Parimal Poti along with some 100 priests, and two Bishops, under the gaze of over 100 religious sisters as well as members of his family, friends, parishioners and faithful.
Among the concelebrants present in the sanctuary were former Bishop of Baruipur Salvador Lobo, current Bishop Shyamol Bose of Baruipur as well as his cousin brother Fr Onshu Gayan of Krishnagar diocese and batch mate Fr. Philip D’Souza.
The solemn Eucharist was concelebrated in his parish St Stephen’s church established in 1971 which he soon plans to renovate.
Earlier in his six year tenure at Sacred Heart Church Thakurpukur situated on the outskirts of Kolkata, Poti undertook renovation of the church and installation of life size statues of the Way of the Cross, and built a beautiful church in Khoriberia, one of the substations.
Noted for his ability to raise funds locally Poti says, “our parishioners are wiling to come forward and help finance the renovation projects.”
Poti who has 3 brothers and one sister was born in Chak Balai Bag of Nepalganj in South 24 Parganas in 1968 to Mr. Parimal Poti and late Sima Poti.
After completing his graduation as well as Philosophy and Theology studies at the West Bengal Regional Seminary Morning Star College at Barrackpore, Poti was ordained priest and was assigned as the Curate in St Stephen’s Church Kalyanpur.
Two years later, Poti went to St Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bangalore to pursue two year Masters degree in Biblical Theology after which he served as secretary to Baruipur Bishop as well as Director of Diocesan Biblical Commission.
Poti has served as editor of the Diocesan newsletter, as well as Vocation Promoter and director of Dishari Pastoral centre and rector of Samarpan Minor Seminary at Kalikanan as well as spiritual director to Missionaries of Charity at Krithankhala and confessor at Missionaries of Charity Sishubhavan Kolkata.
Currently besides being parish priest, Poti is also secretary of the Priests’ Council of Baruipur diocese.
Religion by itself is not bad for it comes from Dharma, which implies ‘religion,’ ‘duty,’ and ‘righteousness. ‘ It derives from a Sanskrit root word meaning ‘to uphold or sustain’. So basically religion is meant to uphold truth and justice. It becomes bad when it encroaches into public domain or Civics or social matters dealing with the rights and duties of citizens. For example, education, health, marriage, divorce, alimony, adoption, inheritance rights, etc. Practices which cause breach of peace and public convenience in the name of religion, for example, religious festivals which block or inconvenience public places/ thoroughfares, loud music causing health hazards to children and the sick, noisy and polluting fire crackers. All these happen due mainly to the patronage by the ruling dispensation, of a majoritarian religion in a country or a state.
But the way different mainstream religions are used or applied to create division and hatred among the followers is worse than addiction to alcohol or opium. History tells us that religion was always used as a socio-political weapon to control people and nations. Whenever and wherever religious leaders have taken an upper hand, situation has spiralled out of control resulting in communal violence. History is also replete with instances where fanatic religious leaders had to be dispensed with when they tried to take over the popular government.
We have seen ample instances where in the name of religion, fanaticism has reared its head especially in Asian, African and Middle East countries. Examples are Boko Haram in Nigeria, Islamic State or ISIS movement in Iraq & Syria, and Mandir-Masjid problems in India including court cases to dig up Archaeological Sites/historical places of worship to reverse status quo and to suit political expediency. Considering this trend, the world would be a much better place without any religion which more than promoting holiness is being used to divide and rule people to suit vested interest of religious leaders. The result of this policy is most religious leaders are laughing their way to banks!
Fr Himangshu gave the lion’s share of the credit to his mother for what he is today. He said his mother’s last wish before her death (last year) was that his Silver Jubilee must be celebrated in a big way. The reason for this wish was when Fr Himangshu was ordained in 1999 his mother had fallen down from her terrace and badly broken her limbs. She had to be carried to the church in the arms of Fr Himangshu’s elder brother and couldn’t physically offer him to God.
Fr Himangshu also expressed his gratitude to his uncle late Fr Pankaj Poti for being his mentor. Fr Pankaj was a well-known composer of Liturgical songs. All the songs sung during the Jubilee Mass on 15th were composed by him.
Fr Himangshu felicitated his father by touching his feet and also expressed his gratitude to bishops Salvador Lobo and Shyamal Bose.