ASIA/INDIA - The Day of the martyrs of Orissa will be celebrated on August 30

Wednesday, 16 March 2016 martyrs hinduism local churches

Arcidiocesi di Bhubaneswar

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Bhubaneswar (Agenzia Fides) - The Church of the state of Orissa (Central India) will celebrate "Martyrs' Day" on August 30 every year. As Fides learns, this was established by the Regional Conference of Bishops of Orissa, choosing the date which is the day after the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. His Exc. Mgr. John Barwa, Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and president of the Regional Conference, told Fides: "We are delighted with this decision, adopted to honor and respect the sacrifice of more than 101 people who lost their lives during the anti-Christian massacres in 2007 and 2008: most of the victims come from the district of Kandhamal".
The Regional Conference of Bishops of Orissa has officially asked the Indian Bishops' Conference (CBCI) to make August 30 a "National Day" to commemorate the martyrs of Orissa. "We are awaiting the decision of the CBCI, but we are confident", said Mgr. Barwa, who gave a speech during the recent plenary assembly of Indian bishops, held in Bangalore, and highlighted the support of the bishops on this initiative. "After my presentation on the story of the martyrs of Orissa, many Bishops were eager to learn more", he said.
The Conference of Bishops of Orissa has already appointed a special team of priests and researchers to document the incidents that caused the deaths of 101 Christians in Orissa. With the support of the Episcopal Conference, the diocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar would like to start the diocesan process to declare the martyrdom, by appointing a "postulator" for the cause.
The local Catholic community in Orissa has welcomed the Bishops’ decision to celebrate the Day of the martyrs on August 30 with joy. (SD-PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/03/2016)