Catholics of Kandhamal district in eastern Indian state of Odisha gave a rousing welcome to 23 bishops who visited the region to express solidarity with survivors of the 2008 anti-Christian violence.
The bishops arrived in Odisha to attend the 36th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) in Bhubaneswar, located over 300 km from Kandhamal.
After the assembly, they travelled to the region, known as the Land of Martyrs, to meet the people who endured one of India’s worst religious persecutions.
Their first stop was the Sacred Heart Mission Station and Nandagiri village, where survivors have been rehabilitated. The local community welcomed the prelates with traditional tribal dances, while Archbishop John Barwa, S.V.D., of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, extended a formal greeting. Parish priest Fr. Sanatan Pradhan, along with lay leaders, presented the bishops with flower bouquets and shawls as a mark of respect.
Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, Vice President of the CCBI, lauded the resilience and deep faith of the survivors.
“For the first time, 23 bishops have come together to visit Kandhamal,” said Fr. Mrityunjaya Digal, a native of Nandagiri. “Our people are overjoyed to welcome the shepherds. This visit will strengthen their faith.”
The bishops then proceeded to Our Lady of Charity Parish in Raikia, a major town in Kandhamal district. A large crowd gathered to greet them. They also visited the St. Catherine’s Convent of the Daughters of Charity and their rehabilitation centre.
Archbishop Barwa welcomed the bishops once again, while Bishop Kishor Kumar Kujur expressed gratitude on behalf of the visiting delegation.
A particularly emotional moment came at Dibyajyoti Pastoral Center in Kanjamendi, which was completely destroyed during the 2008 violence. Some bishops were moved to tears as survivors shared their harrowing experiences.
“It is heartbreaking to see the charred remains of a vehicle still lying in the pastoral centre’s compound,” said Bishop Alex Vadakumthala of Kannur, Kerala.
The visit culminated in a grand reception at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Parish in Daringbadi. More than 3,000 Catholics lined the streets, greeting the bishops with tribal dances and drum performances.
In 2023, the Vatican granted permission to begin the canonization process for Kanteswar Digal and 35 other Kandhamal martyrs. The 2008 violence, which erupted on August 24 and lasted over four months, claimed more than 100 lives, left hundreds wounded, and displaced over 56,000 people.
“One day, the Land of Martyrs in Kandhamal will become a pilgrimage site for Catholics in India,” said Archbishop Machado, underscoring the deep spiritual significance of the visit. - Stephen Alathara
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