Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The laity of the diocese are called all over India and also in Sri Lanka to hold formation courses on evangelisation. Mons. Jude Paulraj, Bishop of Palayamkottai, diocese Tamil Nadu (southern India) told Agenzia Fides he is very happy for this and thanks God for all the blessings bestowed on his people. The diocese borders on the diocese of Kottar, affected by the tsunami: after the disaster it activated numerous activities of assistance and solidarity. Above all the young people gave a hand offering their services as volunteers.
These works are fruit of formation attentive to the themes and challenges of the world today and a faith celebrated with intensity. The Bishop, for his part, does not spare himself: he chose as his motto “In your Name, service and self sacrifice”. He explains to Agenzia Fides: “When God called me to lead his people he gave me an example to follow in his Son Jesus Christ. Like Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, I feel called to serve this people and take care of them even to sacrificing myself”.
“The community -Mons. Paulraj explains to Agenzia Fides - has a deeply rooted faith which it shows with serene testimony through joyful sharing with the poor. There are about 120,000 faithful in our diocese, among a population of 2.6 million. The community celebrates and witnesses the faith with joy in unity, with frequent reception of the sacraments and many come to daily Mass. Vocations are flourishing, we have 80 priests diocesan and religious. Above all there is a growing role of the laity who, since the Jubilee of 2000, have become ever more aware of their call to mission. We have two new lay movements ‘New Life in the Spirit and ‘Caris’, which count more than 600 groups all over the diocese and are involved in the formation of youth and families. They pray, they live moments of formation and spiritual retreat and they cooperate fully with priests in parishes. Our lay people go also to other diocese in India and Sri Lanka to hold courses on formation for evangelisation: this makes me very happy. I see it as a sign of maturity”.
Very often pastoral programmes are held at the “Jubilee Pastoral Centre” at Palayamkottai, opened in 1985, which in twenty years has served to organise initiatives also in other dioceses on themes of evangelisation, communication, youth and ecumenism.
The Bishop told Fides, we have a diocesan Commission on Christian life which aims to make the Bible known to children are school, in homes. We have commissions for catechism and for liturgy which are attentive to the different seasons of the liturgical year, proposing ad hoc formation programmes. “Lent for example - Mons. Paulraj explains - will centre on the Eucharist which generates brotherhood and equality: communion with Jesus bears the fruit of harmony with our brothers and sisters. We experienced the tragedy of the tsunami and were filled with a spirit of solidarity. I encouraged my people to strive to make this spirit of solidarity last for always”.
In diocesan pastoral work special care is given to the family, the cell of the Christian community, providing a service of psychological counselling in times of difficulty. Ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue is lively the Bishop told Fides: “We take part in the main Hindu and Muslim feasts and we invite Hindu and Muslims to attend ours. This exchange is profitable and helps to build good relations and give serenity to the Christian community in every day life. In this part of the country Hindu fundamentalism is not a problem. Our social centres, 11 schools, 49 centres of assistance, work without discrimination serving people of all religions. Our Justice and Peace Commission works to help orphans, street children and poor women. I launched a programme for adoption at a distance and already we are helping 600 children aged 3-16”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/02/2005 Righe: 42 Parole: 459)
