CBCI - JPD Office Fosters Lay Leadership for Just Odisha
New Delhi(CBCI News):Around 70 Christian activists from five different dioceses took part in a special leadership training that enabled them to dream of and contribute to a just Odisha. The training was jointly organised by CBCI Office for Justice, Peace and Development and the Justice and Peace Commission of Odisha Region at Red Cross Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, on 13 and 14 July 2013.
Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubneswer inaugurated the training and said Christians in Odisha, though a minuscule minority, have been mandated, by virtue of their faith, to be a leaven of justice and peace in this world. The Vicar General added that Christians would have to be guided by faith, hope and charity in building a new society, new Odisha.
The team of experts that facilitated the training included Fr Charles Irudayam, Secretary, CBCI Office for Justice Peace and Development, Fr. Ajay Singh, Secretary, Orissa Regional Commission for Justice and Peace, Fr. Stanislaus Jebamalai, Secretary, Jesuits in Social Action, Mr. Adikant Shingh, Mr. Jugal Kishore, and Mr. Dherandra Panda. These experts guided the participants to evolve suitable strategies that will help realise their vision and goal.
The activists from the dioceses of Sambalpur, Rourkela, Baleswar, Berhampur, and Cuttack-Bhubneswer in Odhisha were facilitated by a team of experts to deliberate on the following topics: Threats and challenges faced by the Odhisha Church; the situation of Dalits and Minorities; countering communalism; the budget earmarked for Dalits and Adivasis; human rights violations in Odhisha; women’s rights; child rights; rights of the minorities.The participants admitted that the inputs on Catholic social teaching encouraged them to play an active role in building a just society that ensures harmonious living for diverse groups.