India: New books for the Aquinas College in Gopalpur-on-Sea, Orissa

Students reading in the library of Aquinas College, Gopalpur-on-Sea. @ACN
Students reading in the library of Aquinas College, Gopalpur-on-Sea. @ACN

Ever since the introduction of an anti-conversion law - contrary to the principle of religious freedom enshrined in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution - in the state of Orissa in northeast India, there have been repeated outreaks of anti-Christian violence in the region. Hundu extremist groups in particular view Christians as a potential threat, fearing they will undermine the existing caste-based social order with its built-in priviledges for the higher castes. They accuse Christian missionaries, who care above all for the poor, the Dalits and the members of the ethnic tribal groups, of seeking to convert them with money, trickery and force. In order to preserve the unity and security of India, they say, these „spies of the corrupt West", as they call them, must be punished.

The last great wave of violence was in August 2008, following the murder of Laxamananda Saraswati, the leader of a radical Hindu movement. Even though Maoist groups later admitted responsibility, Hindu groups used this as a pretext to attack Catholic priests and religious, set fire to cars, houses, churches, brutally murdering many people and devastating entire villages in Christian areas. Some 93 people were killed during the attacks, including a Catholic priest. This was indeed a grave setback for religious freedom in the country.

Although Christians in India are just a small minority of around 6.2 % as against 74.5% Hindus, they are of immense service in society - in schools, orphanages, hospitals and clinics - and are greatly appreciated by most ordinary people. Catholic schools and other educational institutions are among the best in the country.

A typical example is the Aquinas College, the philosophy seminary of the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission) which was founded in 1955 in Gopalpur-on-Sea on the east coast of India, close to the town of Berhampur. Here in this small coastal town of around 20,000, most of the people are fishermen, poor and uneducated, often illiterate, and hence easily oppressed by members of the upper castes.

It is here that the seminarians of the Vincentian Congregation spend three years studying philosophy and preparing themselves through the practical apostolate in the area for their future arduous mission as priests. St Thomas Aquinas, patron of their college, understood that man is a unity of body and soul, in need of continuing formation. „Therefore", continues the Rector of the college, Fr. Louis Mittathany C.M, "stress is given to mission oriented formation so that they may be priests and missionaries fit for the present day world, being fully conscious of its realities, needs, and changing circumstances. The world still stands in need of liberation. It involves sacrifices and witnessing and above all transformation of oneself and others to the likeness of Christ".

The seminary in Gopalpur-on-Sea is the only philosophy seminary in Orissa and for the past ten years and more it has been so highly regarded that bishops and religious superiors from the surrounding dioceses have been asking if their own seminarians can be enrolled there. The seminary is happy to welcome them, and the rector believes that the opportunity to experience an early encounter with those of other ethnic groups and social outlooks can only help to broaden the minds and hearts of his seminarians and inspire tolerance in these future priests. He believes that this openness towards others, combined with a sound education, is an essential prerequisite for peace and harmony in India and in the world as a whole.

„Tolle, lege - Take, and read", was the invitation to Saint Augustine of Hippo. But it is this, precicesly, that is currently proving difficult in the philosophate, where many of the texts are becoming scarce and somewhat antiquated. ACN has stepped in with €5,000 so that they can obtain new works of Eastern and Western philosophy and so equip the seminarians with the knowledge they will need to confront the difficult situation in their own country.

To know about this and many other similar projects in favour of the pastoral needs of the suffering Church, please contact our national offices.