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A Gaze
towards the Future
But we need to turn our gaze to the future. There is no escaping the
fact that "fundamentalism" and "fanaticism" are
raising their ugly head in present day India, especially in the
North. They thrive on violence and false allegations. The
great bogey being pushed center stage is "Conversion," which in
their twisted mind is inconceivable without fraud, force and allurement,
particularly in the case of Tribals. Hence we may anticipate that
this area will become their chosen battlefield. We already have had
a number of gruesome incidents in Dumka, Karondabera, Bundu, Kurpania,
Bishrampur, etc.etc. But we are not dismayed. The light will
continue to burn. We also know that the blood of martyrs turns into
seed of Christians.
Our Priorities
So, we go ahead. The needs and opportunities before us are
great. We'll continue to give our pastoral priority to the faith
formation and systematic catechesis of our people, especially the younger
generation. It is deeply regretted that we experience a certain
block in the media apostolate and in the formation of candidates for the
secular priesthood.
There are other sectors of great concern: the right of our non-Christian
tribal brothers and sisters to be adequately informed about the good news
and the pearl of great price that we have found, the formation of
competent lay leaders for their responsibilities in the social, political
and public life, the promotion of ecumenical cooperation with the other
major Christian Churches in the field, the advocacy of global solidarity,
etc.
A Growing Church
I'd like especially to draw your attention to the opening of new mission
stations, schools, convents, and dispensaries. The personnel we
have, but the money for the acquisition of land and for the necessary
constructions is totally lacking. There are many places where work
could be started if funds were to be available. Once the
infrastructures are in place, we are able to make excellent use of them
for generation after generation. I could give you many names, though
they might not be very meaningful to you: f.i. Jonha, Bahya, Getelsud,
Ormanjhi, Thakurgaon, Brambe, Bhandra, Lohardaga, Kisko, not to speak of
places in, or near, the Ranchi capital itself. Enormous amounts of
work remain to be done. We can only place our trust in God and those
who feel inspired by him to come forward in a big way to support our
formation, building ground and construction fund.
A radically changed Situation
On 15.11.2000 Ranchi became the Capital of the newly created State of
Jharkhand. Ranchi used to be a mere Distict Headquarters in the
State of Bihar. Now, this radically changed situation will greatly
affect the Ranchi Church as well. Catholics throughout Jharkhand
look up to Ranchi as the original seedbed, of their faith, as the Mother
Church in Jharkhand and the present Metropolitan See of their hope.
They expect from it a new commitment to hold aloft the burning torch of
evangelization, to consolidate and expand its facilities, services,
hospitality, advice and assistance in every sphere. I do not see how
we can possibly live up to this hope without the prayerful support of all
our friends and benefactors. So, if you'd like to help, you may
kindly send your donation by crossed cheque, A/C Payee only, in favour of
"Ranchi Catholic Archdiocese", and send it to my address at
Archbishop's House, Purulia Road, PB. 5, Ranchi - 834 001, Jharkhand,
India; or you may send it by direct bank transfer to the S.B. Account No.
10207, in favour of the "Ranchi Catholic Archdiocese", with the
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), at the Gram Guru Education Center Branch,
Purulia Road, Ranchi - 834 001, Jharkhand, India.
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