The new provincial of the Congregation of the Mission (CM) in North Indian Province says he will use technology to enhance missionary work.
“Implementing technological advances in our province following the time and signs of the world would be one of my missionary priorities,” Vincentian Father Mathew Nayak, told RVA News.
He was elected as the new provincial on March 1, 2022.
“I have a vision of my province's mission, and I have a mission of serving people to the best of my abilities,” said Father Nayak.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the province, he wants to upload all the data, documents, information, and news that will be published on the provincial website.
“We will introduce a ‘centralized administration’ system to streamline all the pastoral activities,” he said.
Through the use of technology, the province, which is based in the city of Berhampur in the Eastern Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa), Father Nayak plans to reunite all the schools, seminaries, and educational institutions under the Vincentian Board of Education.
“Our congregation will be better off if we work together,” he said.
The Congregation of the Mission (Latin: 'Congregatio Missionis') is a Roman Catholic society of apostolic life founded by Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) in Paris, France in 1625. As of 2021, the Vincentians number about 4000 worldwide, with a presence in 95 different countries.
Its members are known by various names in different countries: Vincentians, Lazaristes, Padres Paoles, and Paulinos. The society was introduced in India in 1922.
As of now, it has two provinces in India and one region—the Northern Indian Province, the Southern Indian Province, as well as the Northeast Indian region.
Besides being a missionary, Father Nayak is also an educator, advocate, musician, and teacher of music.
Before he was appointed Provincial Superior of the Northern Indian Province, he served at De Paul School, Gopalpur-On-Sea, Odisha as its principal.
The North Indian Province, Provincial post was vacant after the death of Father Prakash Tirkey due to Covid-19 on May 7, 2021.
From the Congregation of the Mission's headquarters in Rome, Vincentian Father Tomaž Mavrič, the Superior General of the congregation, appointed Father Nayak to be provincial.
Father Sebastian TJ, the president of the election commission addressed his letter to all the members of the commission on February 12, 2022.
Father Mavrič wrote, “In our ordinary council meeting on February 11, 2022, we carefully examined the results of the elections for the appointment of the Visitor (provincial) in your Province.”
“Having carefully read and evaluated the proposal with my council, and after receiving unanimous approval, I am confirming the confrere elected by the province,” Father Mavrič said.
Father Nayak’s term is for three years and can be extended for another term, according to the Province’s norms.
The superior general thanked the present visitor in charge Father Jose Nazhiampara for his brief but effective leadership in the interim period.
Originally from Baghmari Nua Sahi, India, Father Nayak was born on September 29, 1973.
From 1987 to 1988, he served as assistant parish priest of St. Peter’s Church in Mohana, Gajapati district of Odisha.
His role as seminarian’s formator for Jyoti Nivas’ seminarians in Baripada spanned from 1988 to 1993.
As assistant rector at Rayagada Minor Seminary for their congregation seminarians, he served there from 1993 to 1995.
In 1995 and 1996, he was appointed assistant parish priest of Lourdes Shrine, Dantolingi, Surada in Odisha.
From 1996 to 2002, he served as a parish priest of St. Pauls’ Church at Gunupur parish, Odisha. His tenure as principal of the Sacred Heart School in Rayagada lasted from 2002 to 2011. He served from 2011 to 2014 as principal at New De Paul School, Berhampur, Odisha.
From 2014 to 2017, he was appointed Rector at Aquinas College a regional Philosophate of Odisha.
From 2017 to 2020, he was on sabbatical in Ethiopia and rector of Lazarit Major Seminary.
From 2020 to 2021 he was elected as Rector of St. Paul’s Major Seminary at Tero, India.
Before he was appointed a provincial in 2021, he worked as a principal at De Paul School, Gopalpur, India.
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