ASIA/INDIA-A Bishop "always on the road" to give stimulus to mission among the tribal

Purnea (Agenzia Fides) –Mgr. Angelus Kujur, SJ, Bishop of Purnea, diocese in North Bihar, in northeast India, bordering Nepal is a Bishop “on the road” always travelling. His untiring movement has only one reason: the mission among the tribal. The Bishop carries out pastoral visits and mission trips each week during the year traveling the length and breadth of the diocese`s territory, and marked by a large river system, from the countryside and mountainous areas. With the help of a jeep, a motorcycle or small boats, he visits the tribal villages of the area: "It is an experience of continuing mission and genuine preaching- the Bishop explains in an interview with Fides - which aims to respond to the commandment of Christ to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. "
His diocese has a composite population, where Hindus and Muslims are the majority (about 8.9 million people) and 25 thousand are Catholics, all tribal. The evangelization of the tribal people, Mgr. Kujur explains to Fides runs no risk for the Church: they are mostly adivasis, the Santhal ethnic group, devoted to agriculture. To carry out missions among the other groups (Hindus and Muslims) can lead to conflicts and tensions, so the local church is focused on indigenous people working for their socio-economic and human development, but "above all by being close, becoming known , relating with the chiefs of the villages, visiting and bringing the message of love of Christ. "
The Bishop is "always in motion" and, as he tells Fides, "always gets a warm reception from the tribal villages." "Faith in Christ always receives great interest and much appreciation. Once they get to know the Gospel, many of them convert and are baptized during simple ceremonies but full of spiritual intensity, " remarked the Bishop.
The Church is also a point of reference for them, as it promotes social and economic development programs and helps them especially in education. As the lives of tribal people is very precarious and uncertain - and subject to monsoon floods that can continue to destroy their only source of income and reduce hunger – they are forced to move often and education for children becomes very difficult. The Church helps them and provides them with schools and educational staff. "
In the diocese of Prunea, moreover, given the presence of Hindus and Muslims, "interfaith dialogue is another path we travel, we want to live in peace and all the religious leaders of Hindus and Muslims, appreciate, and cooperate for this aim. We often meet to say 'no' to intercommunity violence that infests other Indian states, with the aim of preventing conflicts and tensions, building together a fair and fraternal society. " (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/05/2011)