Four men ordained priests in significant ceremony: Kandhamal

Kandhamal had reasons to cheer on Wednesday when four men were ordained as priests in a Christian ceremony, first of its kind since violence rocked the district last August.

In the religious ceremony held under strict security arrangements, four Christians who underwent 12 years of training entered priesthood under the supervision of Archbishop of Orissa Raphael Cheenath.

Earlier, the Missionaries of Charity (MOC) under whose overseeing the event went forth, mulled on keeping it away from the riot-hit district. However, with assurances from the state administration, the religious order went ahead with its plans.

Sister Summa with the MOC said situation in riot-hit places has changed, affirming that the ceremonies will "inspire" Kandhamal people to strive ahead and welcome a new dawn.

According to Summa, the primary role of the priests would be to "assist the poor and the homeless, not only the riot-affected."

Incidentally, all of the ordained priests hail from Kandhamal and were victims of the violence that rendered them homeless.

Asish Parichcha, Jeevant Nayak, Sushant Pradhan and Sushant Kanha were those ordained as priests in the significant ceremony.

Post-ordination, says Jeevant Nayak , "I will try my best to strengthen people's faith in the Almighty."

The sole intention, he asserts, would be to serve the people and spread the message of God. "We will try to send across the message of love and brotherhood among the people."

He laments that although the violence has subdued, "people are still in a state of trauma and fear." He suggests that people "try to forget the past and make our present and future beautiful."

Jeevant hails from Tiangia village where Father Bernard was killed during the riots in the aftermath of Swami Laxmananda's murder on August 23, 2008.

Currently, rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts are underway with Christian NGO's and church organisations working furiously for the thousands who are still in relief camps.

Meanwhile, BJD president Naveen Patnaik was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Orissa for the third term.

Mr. Patnaik, following the violence on Christians in Kandhamal, had severed ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with whom the BJD commanded a coalition government during the last two terms.

With the party taking a lead of 103 seats in the 147-member Assembly, Christians hope the politico will remember his promises to the minorities and work for the development of all communities in the state.