CNS photo/Parth Sanyal, Reuters
So far, Flynn and Council 2560 have helped the seminary re- and asks all to be “protagonists of the Church’s commitment to pair its whole plumbing system, re-drill a water well to reach clean proclaim the Gospel.” water, set up a computer lab with five stations, and buy new bikes The pope’s message further states: “The missionary impulse and fans for the seminarians, as well as tools for their garden. has always been a sign of vitality for our Churches, with their Flynn said that there are a few big differences between the cooperation and their unique witness of unity, brotherhood and Catholic Church in the United States and in India. “People feel solidarity that gives credibility to heralds of the Love that saves!” cheated if Mass isn’t two hours long,” he noted, adding that With support from Knights like Flynn and George, not to many Catholics in India leave for church at dawn and walk mention the millions of Catholics worldwide who have ofthrough dangerous neighborhoods to get there. The seminary fered prayers and financial support, Christians in Orissa are experience too seems to be more demanding: During the final currently moving back into homes from displacement camps. three years of a 13-year period of priestly formation, the semi- On June 29, a fast-track court set up in response to the 2008 narians participate in a “slum experience.” All seminarians are attacks convicted a government official affiliated with the sent into a major slum area for three weeks to live on the streets Hindu nationalist party with crimes related to the violence. with no money and only the clothes on their back. Nevertheless, Christians continue to face challenges to their Another Knight, Mathew George, grew up in the southern religious liberty. Indian state of Kerala, but has lived in the United States for the Seven of India’s 28 states have passed or are in the process of past 40 years. His family became longtime friends with Mother approving “freedom of religion laws,” which, according to Farris Teresa of Calcutta when she visited his home in India during and others, have been interpreted as anti-conversion laws that stihis father’s illness. fle evangelization. The laws criminalize conversion on the basis Today, George operates a of “force, fraud or inducelay apostolate called Catholic ment.” But some public offiAction Worldwide that supcials see the law’s consideration ports needy people in India of “inducement” as including and pairs seminarians with fihealth care or education. nancial sponsors in the “When you have that kind United States. of interpretation, then almost The primary service of the any action that can be taken Houston-based organization to provide what in a normal is to bring priests and reliChristian sense is charity, to gious into contact with diocehelp your neighbor, becomes ses and parishes in the United inducement,” said Farris. States that need them. Catholic Action Worldwide “If a parish in the United treads lightly in this regard beStates wants a priest from cause the state of Kerala has India, we try to find one for one such law. “The seminariTent shelters are set up for displaced people in Raikia village in the them,” said George, who is a ans and the orphans we are Indian state of Orissa Aug. 31, 2008. member of Bishop John L. sponsoring, they are not in Morkovsky Council 10290 in Kerala,” George said. “They Houston. are in the other southern Catholic Action Worldwide also enables people to provide states, because there are not restrictions there.” basic needs for orphans ($144) medication and housing for peoThe Gospel’s call to reconciliation and peace manifested itself ple with Hansen’s disease ($180) or a new concrete and brick in a unique way after the Orissa attacks, when a Hindu house for a homeless family ($1,000). landowner took a bold step to help displaced Christians. When the attacks in Orissa occurred in 2008, George quickly “After the attack, he had provided land for Christian families sent an e-mail message to the USCCB. And in response, the an- to put up tents while their houses were being rebuilt,” Farris nual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, said. “He had encouraged some of the other members of the which takes place in November, included special prayers for Hindu community to join in this effort. But he, in essence, was Christians in India. a lone voice.” For India to be a safer place for all religions, it needs more of SEEKING RECONCILIATION these voices. And as the state and local governments continue In solidarity with those in India and elsewhere, where divisions to address the religious violence, Knights will offer their chariand tension test the resolve of the local Church, the faithful table work, and the global Church will pray for reconciliation everywhere are constantly invited to join in prayer. and unity.♦ Pope Benedict XVI’s message for this year’s World Mission Sunday, which will be observed Oct. 24, places the understand- BRIAN DOWLING is the creative and editorial assistant of Columbia ing of international missions within the context of communion magazine. SEPTEMBER 2010
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