by Santosh Digal

Interview with Mgr John Barwa, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. Following the anti-Christian pogroms in Kandhamal (2007 and 2008), priests and nuns are involved in making communities "united and mature in their faith".

Bhubaneshwar (AsiaNews) - In the Year of Faith, Orissa Christians must "be focused, re-energized, and re-committed" to "renew" the mission and build the Kingdom of God. Interviewed by AsiaNews, Mgr John Barwa, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar (district of Kandhamal), offers the faithful of his diocese his best wishes for a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year. Despite the destruction wrought by anti-Christian pogroms in 2007 and 2008, faith in God has remained "firm".

What is your message for Christmas?

I wish and pray that all may have a Joyous Christmas, and let joy and peace experienced during the Christmas remain with others every day of the New Year 2013.

I am also confident that we have grown as an Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and we thank God for His continuous blessings, support and accompaniment.

My Christmas message is: Our houses, properties were destroyed, and some of our loved ones were mercilessly killed in 2007 and 2008 pogrom in Orissa, but our faith in our God remained firm. No one has succeeded, nor will succeed in destroying our faith. Our Lord Jesus is with us and He will remain with us.

How do you see the role of your priests and religious in carrying out evangelisation work in the archdiocese?

My priests and nuns' efforts to make local communities (parish communities and village sub-stations) united, grow stronger in faith and become vibrant are bearing fruits. During my visits to the parishes, I experienced their optimism, enthusiasm, generosity and goodwill. The enthusiastic welcome I received at every parish, the generous contributions of our people during celebrations and the growing amount of mission Sunday collections in the parishes are definite pointers to the love for the local and the world mission. The hope-filled forward looking among them are building a meaningful, peaceful and harmonious community in Kandhamal district and the Archdiocese. Their commitment to bring the Light of Christ to all peoples is true and real. There are lots of explicit and implicit signs of keen eagerness to create and sustain a favourable and conducive atmosphere for peaceful living and working together.

What is the significance of the Year of Faith for your Archdiocese?

Together we have encountered many odd situations and we have faced various threatening challenges. Yet, we have come a long way. As we journey through the Year of Faith, let us be focused, re-energized, and re-committed. May we step into the New Year 2013 with new hopes and renewed enthusiasm as we still have miles to go. The realities of yester-years and the demands of coming years are different and unique. The need of the hour is to have a firm faith and total trust in Our Lord "the way, the truth and the life" (Jn, 14:6).

As disciples and followers of Jesus, we do our very best to the best our abilities and leave all the rest in God's hands. This way, we will continue to work for the Kingdom of God no matter how challenging the road might be and no matter how uphill the going might get.

There is no room for complacency or sitting back. Let us journey to the New Year 2013, Year of Faith and Prayer, with renewed faith and commitment. May our Beloved Mother Mary, Queen of the Mission, accompany us!

• india
• orissa
• kandhamal
• anti-christian
• pogroms
• archbishop
• john
• barwa