Pastors pledge to serve persecuted with 'joy'

More than 100 pastors from various Christian denominations from Kandhamal district, the epicenter of December 2007 and August 2008 anti-Christian communal violence in Orissa, have resolved to take care of their flock with joy and commitment.

After having attended a two-day workshop in Kandhamal, July 26-28, they (pastors) returned to their respective villages to care of their Christian flock in the aftermath of riots with faith and confidence and in order to give people "hope" and "joy" being their leaders and pastors, said Ranjit Nayak, an organizer.

"We need to help our suffering, persecuted Christians and riot victims of Kandhamal to build up their life and work by providing moral support and encouragement in this trying times of their lives as joyful pastors and not merely social workers," he added.

Kandhamal lies in the hilly and forest heartland of Orissa, and is connected the outside world only by road. The population has of 52% Scheduled Tribes (93% of Kandh tribe), 17 % Scheduled Castes (88% of Pano/dalit caste), and 31% others. More than 75% of the total population are officially listed as Below Poverty Line (BPL). Of which, the percentage of SC and ST living under BPL 87% and 92% respectively according to UNDP Orissa Human Development Report 2005. So, people in Kandhamal are among the poorest in the country.

The Kandhamal riot was the largest single case of people of a single community becoming refugees in their homeland in the history of Independent India, unlike the many cases of violence against other religious minorities such as Sikhs and Muslims over the years. The violence saw 93 persons killed, over 6,500 houses were burned and
looted besides 350 Churches and 45 health and educational institutes destroyed.

The pastors also pledged to work for human rights and promotion of religious freedom and for the common good of society and churches, said Raj Kumar, the main resource person.

"Faith should be driving force of one's missionary work and place total confidence and trust in God," said Father Prasanna Kumar Pradhan, a speaker.

For this, one should be clear of one's true Christian identity and mission to devote one's life and time for God's vineyard with love and service, he added.

The pastors also agreed to coordinate and support each other for the
sake of missionary work.