Christians in Orissa form Federation to forge unity

Bhubaneswar – In the wake of the recent sectarian violence in Orissa, the church leaders of the state have set up an ecumenical structure aimed at forging closer ties by working together towards unity.

"The aim of our coming together is to foster real unity, (which) distinguished the early Christian communities," said Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Cuttack–Bhubaneswar Archdiocese.

Archbishop Cheenath is the president of the newly formed All Orissa Christian Churches Federation.

The federation came into effect on July 5, when 33 representatives from various Churches working in the eastern Indian state met to sign and promulgate the federation's charter. The representatives from various Churches included one Lutheran, three Catholic and two Church of North India (CNI) prelates, several pastors and missionaries.

Archbishop Cheenath, who heads the Catholic Church in Orissa, is concerned that the situation of hundreds of Christian denominations in the state each acting on its own has projected a "very dismal picture of Christianity."

CNI Bishop Reuben Senapati of Cuttack, who was elected secretary of the federation, said the Church leaders agreed to promote Christian ideals and culture in all their activities.

According to the charter, the federation aims to "bring more abundant life" to the state's nearly 37 million people through the Christian spirit of service. It plans to work for people's "spiritual, moral, social, educational, cultural and human" advancement without discrimination on religious, social or caste grounds.

Christians form only 2.4 percent of Orissa's population. Nonetheless, the federation would try to promote Christian ideas on social, moral and religious issues. Among Christians it would provide a common forum to address concerns and to seek ways of working together on social welfare schemes.

The federation would also help the Churches present a united public face, its charter said. One concrete initiative would be to set up libraries and reading rooms to disseminate information on the Churches' common mission. Addressing health–care needs, especially in caring for HIV/AIDS patients, and promoting and protecting the environment are other priorities.

"In the context of communal disturbances and atrocities against Christians, it is essential that we project a united front rather than a divided Church," said D.K. Samantray, a Baptist representative.

According to Bishop Lucas Kerketta of Sambalpur, unity among the Churches would foster justice, peace and human rights against a backdrop of attacks on churches and missionaries in Orissa. The federation would help the Churches work for people's welfare amid communal clashes and societal conflicts, according to the Catholic leader.

The federation is the result of an initiative Archbishop Cheenath began more than a year ago. Since then, bishops and other Church leaders in the state have met several times to forge "real ecumenical unity," said CNI Bishop Khristo Charana Das of Sambalpur.

Some Churches were apprehensive initially, while others seemed eager for unity. But after the federation's stance was clarified, leaders of all Churches officially endorsed its charter and agreed to abide by it, Bishop Thomas Thiruthalil of Balasore, chairperson of the Orissa Catholic Bishops' Regional Council, said.

At the federation's first meeting, its members unanimously elected Archbishop Cheenath its president for life. Bishop Senapati's term as secretary goes for a year. Elections are to be held for all posts, except that of president.

Clement Parichha, a Catholic representative, said many Churches want to begin common sociocultural programs under the banner of the new federation.

"Our bond of fellowship for dialogue and concern will be strengthened," said Lutheran Bishop Anam Chandra Khosla of Joyepur, through common sociocultural programs under the banner of the new federation.

Over the past decade, Christians in Orissa have been living in fear, having been persecuted and harassed by Hindu fundamentalist groups. Time and again, tribal Christians were harassed and boycotted, churches and mission houses set on fire and pastors and missionaries either threatened with death or killed. Orissa, a state ruled by a coalition of parties including the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) caught the global attention when in 1999, an Australian missionary, Graham Staines, and his two sons were burnt to death by a Hindu mob. That same year, a Catholic priest, Fr. Arul Doss of Balasore diocese, was also brutally murdered.