A new monument to remember the martyrs of Kandhamal, Odisha
A stele with 105 names in Kolanaju parish commemorates 105 Christians killed for their faith in the 2008 pogrom. One of them was Fr Bernard Digal. “I remember his love and affection for people,” said his brother. In the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, one of the victims of violence by Hindu extremists is one of five new priests.
Kolanaju (AsiaNews) – A new memorial monument was inaugurated last Saturday at the Church of Divine Mercy in Kolanaju, Kandhamal district, bearing the names of 105 martyrs killed during the 2008 Odisha pogrom, the worst incident of persecution against Christians in India.
“The erection of a memorial or monument helps people remember in their grieving process,” said Fr Pradosh Chadra Nayak, the archdiocese’s vicar general. “Thus, they can honour the life lived and bear witness to lives sacrificed to bear witness to Christ.”
The faithful welcomed the priests with dances for the Eucharistic celebration. Hundreds of Kandhamal survivors gathered for the inauguration. After the Mass, Catholic faithful and priests shared memories and prayers for the martyrs in front of the monument.
“It is painful for us when we lose someone we love very dearly; still, our feeling of connection to them continues even though they are no longer present with us physically,” said Anakleta Nayak, a senior catechist who survived the violence.
"The moment I saw my brother's name, I remembered his love and affection for people, service and witness to Christ through the sacrifice of his life," explained Luicy Digal, brother of Fr Bernard Digal, former treasurer of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, killed mercilessly in 2008 anti-Christian violence.
"They are in our hearts and minds; we cannot forget them because they showed courage and stood firm in faith in Christ,” added Fr Manoj Nayak, a survivor and promoter of the monument.
The memory of the Odisha martyrs also lives on in new vocations. On Monday, Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar led the ordination of five new priests and four deacons.
The service took place in the Church of St Joseph in Godapur, another place in Kandhamal affected by the 2008 violence.
One of the new priests, Bimol Digal, hails from the village of Kampoda, and was personally a victim of persecution.
“God blessed the Church of Kandhamal with priests to continue the mission. And God gives to those who ask,” said Archbishop Barwa in his homily.
(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)
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