Sunday, June 9, 2013

Untouchables: Those banished from the village limits



JmdHw$gm~mhoaMm {¼ñVr g_mO

H$m{_b nmaIo


àH$meH$: gwJmdm àH$meZ

2) JmdHw$gmVrb, JmdHw$gm~mhoaMo OJ

{h§XwñWmZmV {~«{Q>em§Mm A§_b gwê$ Pmbm Voìhm `m XoemVrb ~hþVoH$ àm§Vm§Vrb g_mO Añn¥í`, Añn¥í` Am{U doJdoJù`m OmVr-O_mVtV {d^mJbm hmoVm. {~«{Q>em§À`m amOdQ>rV nmíMmË` {dMmam§Mo XoemV dmao dmhÿ bmJbo VgVgo nwamoJm_r nwT>mè`m§Zr Añn¥í`Vm{Z_w©bZmgmR>r bT>m gwê$ Ho$bm. _mÌ Xoembm ñdmV§Í` {_imë`mZ§Va Am{U H$m`ÚmZo Añn¥í`VmnmbZmda ~§Xr `oD$Zhr hr àWm {H$Ë`oH$ df} MmbyM am{hbr hmoVr. Añn¥í`m§Zm Ë`mH$mimV ^moJmì`m bmJUmè`m `mVZm§Mr _m{hVr H$ê$Z KoÊ`mgmR>r ñdmV§Í`nyd© H$mimVrb J«m_rU g_mOOrdZmMr AmoiI AgUo Oê$arMo Amho.
_hmamï´>mVrb IoS>oJmdm§V Ë`m nyU© JmdmVrb bmoH$dñVr EH$mM {R>H$mUr AmT>iV Zmhr. H$mhr OU Amnë`m eoVm§da amhV AgVmV, H$mhr {R>H$mUr Xhm~mam Kao EH$Ì AmT>iVmV Am{U Ë`m dñVrbm dmS>r åhQ>bo OmVo. JmdMr _w»` dñVr åhUOo JmdR>mU. H$moH$UMm AndmX gmoS>bm Va JmdR>mU Am{U dmS>çm AemàH$maMr dñVr ~hþVoH$ {R>H$mUr gmnS>Vo. `m JmdR>mUm^modVr Mmoam-XamoS>oImoam§nmgyZ g§ajUmgmR>r VQ>~§Xr Ho$br Agm`Mr, `m VQ>~§Xrbm JmdHw$gy åhQ>bo Om`Mo. JmdR>mUmV åhUOo `m JmdHw$gmÀ`m AmV g_mOmÀ`m Cƒ dUm©À`m åhUOo ñn¥í` OmVrÀ`m bmoH$m§Mr Kao Agm`Mr. JmdHw$gmÀ`m ~mhoa ImbÀ`m OmVrÀ`m, Añn¥í` OmVr§À`m bmoH$m§Mr dñVr Agm`Mr. `m Añn¥í` g_mOmV _hma, _m§J Am{U Mm§^ma `m OmVtMm g_mdoe Agm`Mm. _hmamï´>mÀ`m OdiOdi gd©M ^mJm§V Añn¥í` g_mOmV _hma OmVrÀ`m bmoH$m§Mr g§»`m gdm©{YH$ AmT>iVo.
JmdHw$gmÀ`m AmVrb daÀ`m OmVr§À`m Am{U JmdHw$gm~mhoaÀ`m ~{hîH¥$V, ImbÀ`m OmVr§À`m g_mOOrdZmMo Xe©Z KS>dUmar H$mhr nwñVHo$ {dgmì`m eVH$mÀ`m gwédmVrg Am{U Ë`mZ§Va à{gÜX Pmbr hmoVr. {~«{Q>e A_XmZrÀ`m H$mimV ñn¥í`m§Mo Am{U Añn¥í`m§Mo nañnag§~§Y, ~bwVoXmar Am{U JmdHw$gm~mhoa OJUmè`m bmoH$m§Mr VËH$mbrZ OrdZe¡br `m~Ôb {dídmgmh© _mZVm `oB©b Aer _m{hVr hr nwñVHo$ nwadVmV. Ë`mH$mimVrb g_mOOrdZmMm Aä`mg H$aUmè`m g§emoYH$m§À`mÑï>rZo hr nwñVHo$ AË`§V _wë`dmZ AmhoV. {̧~H$ Zmam`U AmÌo `m§Zr {b{hbobo 'JmdJmS>m' Am{U 1915 gmbr à{gÜX Pmbobo ho Ë`mn¡H$s EH$ AË`§V _hÎdmMo nwñVH$ Amho.1 {dgmì`m eVH$mÀ`m gwê$dmVrVrb Aìdb B§J«Or A§_XmZrÀ`m H$mimVrb npíM_ _hmamï´>mVrb J«m_rU OrdZmMr ho nwñVH$ AmoiI H$ê$Z XoVo. aoìh AboŠPm§S>a am°~Q>©gZ `m§Mo 1938 gmbr à{gÜX Pmbobo 'Xr _hma \$moëH$ - A ñQ>S>r Am°\$ AZQ>Mo~ëg BZ _hmamï´>' `m nwñVH$mVyZ Ah_XZJa, am`JS> (Hw$bm~m ho AmYrMo Zmd) {Oëho Am{U ZmJnya `m n[agamVrb _hmam§Mo JmdJmS>çmVrb ñWmZ Am{U Ë`m§Mr OrdZe¡br `m{df`r _m{hVr {_iVo.2 (`m nwñVH$mMr _amR>r Amd¥Îmrhr AmVm CnbãY Amho. 3 ) Ë`mZ§VaÀ`m H$mimVrb åhUOo 1950À`m Xaå`mZ _hmamï´>mVrb Jm_rU g_mOOrdZmMr _m{hVr H$ê$Z XoUmao {d. _. Xm§S>oH$a Am{U _. ^m OJVmn `m§Zr {b{hbobo '_hmamï´>mMr J«m_rU g_mOaMZm' ho AmUIr EH$ _hÎdmMo nwñVH$ Amho. nwÊ`mÀ`m JmoIbo AW©emó g§emoYZ g§ñWoZo _hmamï´>mV 1951-52 gmbr gd}jU Ho$bo hmoVo. Ë`m gd}jUmVyZ hmVr Ambobr _m{hVr `m nwñVH$mV g§H$brV Ho$br Amho.4 ñdmV§Í`moÎma H$mimVhr Añn¥í`m§Zm Hw$R>ë`m hmbAnoï>m§Zm Vm|S> Úmdo bmJV hmoVo `mMo {MÌU 1970 Z§Va à{gÜX Pmboë`m AZoH$ X{bV boIH$m§À`m AmË_H$WZm§VyZ ñnï> Pmbo Amho.
JmdHw$gm~mhoaÀ`m _hmam§À`m dñVrbm _hmadmS>m Am{U _m§JmÀ`m dñVrbm _m§JdmS>m åhUV AgV. _moJbmB©Vrb d¡Omnya Am{U J§Jmnya VmbwŠ`mVrb _hmadmS>çmbm 'amOdmS>m' AgoM g§~moYbo OmVo. `oWrb AZoH$ Jmdm§Vrb _hma bmoH$ e§^a dfmªnyduM {¼ñVr Pmbo Agbo Var EH${dgmì`m eVH$mV AmOhr Ë`m§Mr dñVr amOdmS>m qH$dm _hmadmS>m åhUyZM AmoiIbr OmVo. Y_mªVam_wio Ë`m§À`m gm_m{OH$ Am{U Am{W©H$ pñWVrV \$magm ~Xb Pmbm Zmhr `mMoM ho g§~moYZ EH$ ÚmoVH$ Amho.
ImZXoe, _amR>dmS>m dJ¡ao n[agam§V JmdHw$gmMo ~m§YH$m_ XJS>mMo qH$dm ^|S>mMo åhUOo nm§T>è`m _mVrÀ`m H$ÀÀ`m {dQ>m§Mo Agm`Mo. JmdHw$gmÀ`m ~mhoa nS>Ê`mÀ`m dmQ>oda XadmOm Agm`Mm. nyduÀ`m H$mir doerMo ho XadmOo gy`m©ñVmnmgyZ gy`m}X`mn`ªV ~§X Ho$bo OmV AgV Am{U àË`oH$ doerda amIUrgmR>r dogH$a åhUyZ EH$ _hma ~gV Ago.
Á`m Jmdmbm ZXrAmoT>çmgma»`m dmhË`m àdmhmMo nmUr {nÊ`mgmR>r dmnabo OmB© Aem {R>H$mUr Añn¥í`m§Mr dñVr nmÊ`mÀ`m àdmhmÀ`m ImbÀ`m ~mOyZo Ago. AemàH$mao daÀ`m OmVrMo bmoH$ ZXrMo nmUr àdmhmÀ`m daÀ`m ~mOyg ^aV Am{U ImbÀ`m OmVrMo, Añn¥í` bmoH$ àdmhmÀ`m ImbÀ`m ~mOyg nmUr ^aV. Ë`m_wio Añn¥í`m§À`m ñnem©Zo {dQ>mi Pmbobo nmUr dmnaÊ`mMm YmoH$m {Z_m©U hmoV Zgo.
ZXrda qH$dm AmoT>çm§da gm_m{OH$ CVa§S>rZwgma doJdoJù`m {R>H$mUr {d{eï> OmVtMo nmUdQ>o AgV. àdmhmÀ`m daÀ`m ~mOybm gd©àW_ g_mOmÀ`m gdm©V loð> Aem ~«m÷U OmVrMo nmUdR>o, Agm`Mo, Ë`mZ§Va ImbÀ`m OmVtMo åhUOo _amR>m, _mir dJ¡ao ñn¥í` OmVtMo nmUdR>o Agm`Mo. ñn¥í`m§À`m nmUdR>çmImbr Añn¥í`m§Mo nmUdR>o gwê$ hmoV. Ë`m§À`m gm_m{OH$ ñVam§Zwgma åhUOo AmYr am_moer d Mm§^ma, Ë`mZ§Va T>moa, Ë`mÀ`mImbr _hma, _hmam§À`m Imbr _m§Jm§Mo nmUdR>o AgV. gdmªÀ`m eodQ>r Imbr ^§Jr OmVrMm nmUdR>m Ago.
_mÌ {dQ>mi Pmbobo Ë`m ZXrAmoT>çm§Mo nmUr Ë`mZ§Vahr dmhVM amhm`Mo Am{U Xwgè`m Jmdm§V VoM nmUr Cƒ dUmªMo bmoH$ n{hë`m§Xm dmnaV AgV. dmhË`m nmÊ`mbm {dQ>mi ZgVmo Aer EH$ åhU _amR>rV Amho, Vr ~hþYm `m H$maUm_wioM Aem _`m©{XV AWm©Zo ê$T> Pmbr Agmdr.
H$mhr Jmdm§V gmd©O{ZH$ AmS> qH$dm {dhrarVrb nmUr dmnabo OmB©. _mÌ _hma, _m§J, Mm§^ma, T>moa, am_moer Am{U H¡$H$mS>rgma»`m ImbÀ`m OmVrÀ`m bmoH$m§Zm `m VWmH${WV gmd©O{ZH$ {d{harda nmUr ^aÊ`mMr nadmZJr ZìhVr. Ë`m§À`mgmR>r doJio {dhra qH$dm AmS> Agm`Mo. _mÌ _hmam§À`m {d{harda _m§Jm§Zm nmUr ^aVm `oV Zgo. _mÂ`m AmOmoimV åhUOo KmoJaJmdmV 'amOdmS>çmV' åhUOo _hmadmS>çmV ñdV§Ì {dhra hmoVr, ho _bm ñnï> AmR>dVo. amOdmS>çmVrb `m {dhrarbm JmdmVrb ñn¥í`m§À`m {d{harnojm df©^a A{YH$ _w~bH$ nmUr Agm`Mo Ago _mPr AmB© AOyZ gm§JV AgVo.
Á`m Añn¥í` OmVtZm ñdV:Mr {dhra Zgo Ë`mbmoH$m§Zm _J BVam§À`m _ohoa~mZrda Adb§~yZ amhmdo bmJo. gmd©O{ZH$ {dhrarda VmgZVmg C^o amhÿZ H$moUrVar Ë`m§Zm nmUr dmTy>Z XoB©b `mMr Ë`m§Zm dmQ> nmhmdo bmJo. nmUr ß`m`Mo Agbo Var Ë`m§Zr Imbr dmHy$Z hmVmMr Am|Oi Ho$ë`mZ§Va ñn¥í` bmoH$ bm§~yZ dê$Z nmUr AmoVV AgV.
Añn¥í`m§Zm gmd©O{ZH$ nmUdQ>o Iwbr H$aÊ`mV `mdr `m _mJUrgmR>r S>m° ~m~mgmho~ Am§~oS>H$am§Zr H$moH$UmVrb _hmS> `oWo 1927 gmbr bT>m Ho$bm. VoWrb MdXma Vù`mMo nmUr Añn¥í`m§Zr MmIbo. _mÌ Var gmd©O{ZH$ nmUdQ>o Añn¥í`m§Zm Iwbo hmoÊ`mgmR>r AmUIr {H$VrVar XeH$m§Mm H$mbmdYr Omdm bmJbm. 'Añn¥í` O_mVr gmd©O{ZH$ {d{harda nmUr ^ê$ bmJë`mMo EH$hr CXmhaU Amåhr nmhUr Ho$boë`m 72 Jmdm§V {_imbo Zmhr' Ago {d. _. Xm§S>oH$a Am{U _. ^m. OJVmn `m§Zr 1957 gmbr à{gÜX Pmboë`m Amnë`m nwñVH$mV {b{hbo Amho. g_mOgodH$ S>m° ~m~m AmT>md `m§Zr Añn¥í`Vm àWoMo {Z_©byZ H$aÊ`mgmR>r 1970À`m XeH$mV 'EH$ Jmd, EH$ nmUdR>m' `moOZm am~dÊ`mgmR>r _hmamï´>mV Midi am~dbr hmoVr. 'EH$ Jmd, EH$ nmUdR>m' `mM {ef©H$mÀ`m nwñVH$mV S>m° AmT>mdm§Zr OmVrg§~§YmVrb Amnbo AZw^d gm§{JVbo AmhoV.5
h„r J«m_rU ^mJm§V gJirH$S>oM JmdR>mU, JmdHw$gy Am{U dog `m Jmoï>r B{VhmgO_m Pmë`m AmhoV. _mÌ `m OwÝ`m ~m§YH$m_m§Mr nS>PS> Pmbobr Agbr Var Ë`m§À`mer {ZJS>rV g_mOaMZoV Am{U g_mOmÀ`m _mZ{gH$VoV \$magm ~Xb Pmbobm Zmhr. AÑí` ñdénmV `oWo AmOhr JmdHw$gmÀ`m AmV Am{U JmdHw$gm~mhoa OJUmar XmoZ doJdoJio OJ AmT>iVmV.
g§X^©:

1) qÌ~H$ Zmam`U AmÌo, 'Jmd-JmS>m' ; àH$meH$: h. A. ^mdo, daXm ~wŠg, 397/1, goZmnVr ~mnQ> _mJ©, nwUo 411 016 ({Vgar Amd¥Îmr, nwZ_w©ÐU 1995)

2) AboŠPm§S>a am°~Q>©gZ, 'Xr _hma \$moëH$ - A ñQ>S>r Am°\$ AZQ>Mo~ëg BZ _hmamï´>' Xr [a{b{OAg bmB©\$ Am°\$ B§{S>`m'; àH$meH$: dm` E_ gr E.npãbqeJ hmD$g, 5, agob ñQ´>rQ>, H$mobH$mVm, håào {_b\$moS>©, Am°Šg\$moS>© `w{Zìh{g©Q>r àog (1938); Xwgè`m Amd¥VrMo àH$meH$ S>m°. AemoH$ Jm`H$dmS>, H$m¡eë` àH$meZ, EZ-11, gr-3/24/3, hS>H$mo, Am¡a§Jm~mX, 431 003 (2005)

3) AboŠPm§S>a am°~Q>©gZ, '_hma bmoH$- _hmamï´>mVrb Añn¥í`m§Mm Aä`mg (^maVmMo Ym{_©H$ OrdZ), AZwdmXH$: {^jw grd{b~moYr Am{U ñ_aU X{hdbo; àH$meH$: Xo. am. nJmao, gwJV àH$meZ, 780, d¡embrZJa, ZmJnya- 17, ({ÛVr`md¥Îmr 1991)

4) {d. _. Xm§S>oH$a Am{U _. ^m OJVmn, '_hmamï´>mMr J«m_rU g_mOaMZm', àH$meH$: Y. am. JmS>Jri, JmoIbo AW©emó g§emoYZ g§ñWm (àH$meZ nmMdo), nwUo- 411 004 (1957); (nmZ 10)

5) S>m° ~m~m AmT>md, 'EH$ Jmd, EH$ nmUdR>m',


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Monday, June 3, 2013

Gaokusabahercha Khristi Samaj

    JmdHw$gm~mhoaMm {¼ñVr g_mO , gwJmdm àH$meZ, nwUo

H$m{_b nmaIo
S>r-29, lÜXm JmS>©Z,
qMMdS>Jmd, nwUo 411 033
H$m°nramB©Q>: O°ŠbrZ nmaIo

AZwH«$_{UH$m

1) _moJbmB©Vrb {¼ñVr ' amOdmS>m '

2) JmdHw$gmVrb, JmdHw$gm~mhoaMo OJ

3) doerImbyZ KmoS>m ZoÊ`mg ~§Xr

4) ñdmV§Í`nyd© H$mimVrb X{bV {¼ñVr g_mO

5) Y_m©§Va H$emgmR>r - ^mH$argmR>r, AmË_gÝ_mZmgmR>r {H$ {dÐmohmgmR>r ?

6) _hmaH$s gmoS>Ê`mMm, Am§~oS>H$ar MidirMo AZwH$aU H$aÊ`mMm g„m

7) naXoer {¼ñVr {_eZar

8) '{¼ñVr _hma' eãXmbm Amjon

9) doJir AmhmanÜXVr Am{U A§Ë`g§ñH$ma àWm

10) Omohma, O` ^r_ Am{U O` {¼ñV

11) AmajUmÀ`m ~m~VrV X{bV {¼íMZm§da AÝ`m`

12) amOH$maUmV 'Zm KaH$m Zm KmQ>H$m' pñWVr

13) gm{hË`joÌmV {nN>ohmQ>

14) e¡j{UH$ joÌmVrb AZweof

15) eVH$dra '{_amoß`m' _m{gH$

16) {dÐmohr gm{hpË`H$, g§nmXH$ gË`dmZ Zm_Xod gy`©d§er§

1) _moJbmB©Vrb {¼ñVr ' amOdmS>m '
KmoJaJmdbm Amåhmbm Om`Mo Agbo {H$ AmXë`m {Xder Am_Mo _m_m ~¡bJmS>r KoD$Z lram_nyabm `oV AgV. KamVrb Amåhm H$mhr _wbm§Zm _J ~¡bJmS>rMr g¡a KS>V Ago. nhmQ>oM ñd`§nmH$ H$ê$Z ~mB© EH$m H$mnS>çmV ^mH$ar Am{U ~Q>mQ>çmMr ^mOr ~m§YyZ KoB©. ~amo~aÀ`m {nVirÀ`m H$S>rÀ`m Vm§ã`mV nmUr Ago. Xwnmar ~mamÀ`m gw_mamg WmoS>o\$ma nmUr Agboë`m JmoXmdarÀ`m nmÌmV Am_Mr ~¡bJmS>r CVabr {H$ Am_Mm àdmg H$mhr H$mi Wm§~o.
{edam__m_m JmS>rMo ~¡b gmoSy>Z Ë`m§Zm ZXrMo nmUr XmIdyZ AmUë`mZ§Va Ë`m§À`mg_moa H$S>~m Q>mH$s. 'J§Jm Amobm§S>br åhÝOo Ambmo AmnwZ AmVm _moJbmB©V, AmËVm H$m` {Zå_mM nadmg !' Ago åhUV ~mB© Amnë`m _mhoaÀ`m {XeoZo ZOa Q>mH$s. J§JoÀ`m C§M Vramda C^o am{hbo {H$ KmoJaJmdÀ`m {¼ñVamOm _§{XamMo C§M {eIa R>iH$nUo {XgVo Ago Vr Amåhmbm Zoho_r gm§JVo. gH$mi, Xwnmar Am{U g§Ü`mµH$mir àmW©ZogmR>r `m XodimMr K§Q>m dmOVo Voìhm Vmo AmdmO `oWn`ªV EoHy$ `oVmo hohr AZoH$Xm _r {VÀ`m Vm|Sy>Z EoH$V Ambmo Amho. _mÌ Z{XÀ`m H$mR>mda C§Mmda C^m amhÊ`mMm à`ËZ H$ê$Zhr _bm H$Yr Ë`m XodimMo Zm {eIa {Xgbo Zm Xwnmar ~mambm Ë`m K§Q>oMm AmdmO EoHy$ Ambm.
OodU Pmbo {H$ _J _m_m ZXrÀ`m dmhË`m àdmhmOdiÀ`m dmiyV ~marH$ IÈ>m V`ma H$ar. H$mhr jUmVM Ë`m IS>S>çmV nmUr da `oD$ bmJo. Vo nmUr EH$Xm {ZVi Pmbo {H$ _J AmoOirZo Amåhr Vo nmUr {nV Agy. _J nwÝhm Am_Mm ~¡bJmS>rZo àdmg gwê$ hmoB©. naVrMm doY bmJë`mZo ~¡b AmnUhÿZ H$go Xm¡S>V OmVmV, `mMm Ë`mdoir AZw^d `oB©.
JmoXmdarÀ`m EH$m {Vamda npíM_ _hmamï´>mVrb Ah_XZJa {OëømMr gr_maofm Va Xwgè`m {Vamda _amR>dmS>çmVrb Am¡a§Jm~mX {OëømMr gr_maofm Amho. Ah_XZJa {OëømÀ`m _wR>odmS>Jmd `oWyZ JmoXmdar Amobm§Sy>Z ^m_mQ>mU JmdmV àdoe Ho$bm {H$ _moJbmB© gwê$ hmoVo. ñdmV§Í`nyd© H$mimV _amR>dmS>m àXoe h¡Xam~mXÀ`m {ZOm_mÀ`m Vmã`mV hmoVm. hm àXoe _moJbmB©Mm n[aga åhUyZ AmoiIbm OmB©.
JmoXmdarÀ`m àdmhmZo `m XmoZ n[agam§Mr {d^mJUr Ho$br Amho. {ZgJm©À`m `m {d^mJUrZo EH$_oH$m§g AJXr IoQy>Z Agboë`m `m VmbwŠ`m§Mm gm_m{OH$, Am{W©H$, amOH$s`, Eo{Vhm{gH$ Am{U e¡j{UH$ dmagmhr nyU©V: {^Þ am{hbm Amho. {ZOm_emhrV d¡Omnya, J§Jmnya VmbwHo$ _amR>dmS>çmÀ`m BVa ^mJm§à_mUo Xwb©{jV am{hbo Am{U Ë`m§Mr hr nadS> _hmamï´>mÀ`m ñWmnZoZ§Vahr MmbyM am{hbr Amho. `mCbQ> npíM_ _hmamï´>mVrb lram_nya, H$monaJmd VmbwŠ`mbm ghH$mar MidirMo, ObqgMZmÀ`m Omù`mMo Am{U VmH$XdmZ amO{H$` MidirMo Am{U ZoV¥ËdmMo daXmZ bm^bo. JmoXmdarÀ`m {Vam§da C^o am{hbo åhUOo àJV npíM_ _hmamï´>mMo Am{U AmOhr _mJmg am{hboë`m _amR>dmS>çmMo `m gd©M joÌm§Vrb doJionU àH$fm©Zo OmUdVo.
JmoXmdarÀ`m àdmhmZo EH$_oH$m§nmgyZ {d^mJboë`m Ah_XZJa {OëømÀ`m lram_nya, amhþar, g§J_Zoa Am{U amhmVm `m VmbwŠ`m§V Am{U Am¡a§Jm~mX {OëømÀ`m d¡Omnya Am{U J§Jmnya VmbwŠ`m§V gìdmeo dfmªnydu åhUOo {dgmì`m eVH$mÀ`m AIoarg g_m§Va[aË`m {¼ñVr Y_m©§VamMr à{H$`m gwê$ Pmbr hmoVr. Ah_XZJa {OëømV O_©Z, Am°pñQ´>`Z Am{U ñdrg `oeyg§Kr` (OogwB©Q>) `m H°$Wmo{bH$ Y_©Jwê$§À`m g§ñWoMo gXñ` H$m_ H$aV hmoVo Va åhUOo _moJbmB© n[agamV {_eZarO Am°\$ g|Q> \«$mpÝgg S>r goëg (E_EgE\$Eg) `m Xwgè`m H°$Wmo{bH$ Y_©Jwê$§À`m g§ñWoMo \$mXabmoH$ H$m_ H$aV hmoVo.
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''Ama§ amOdmS>m åhÝOr åhmam§Mr dñVr, åhmadmS>m eãX ~am {XgV Zmhr åhZyZ amOdmS>m Ag§M åhÝË`mV,'' Ago {VMo CÎma hmoVo.
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`m 'amOdmS>çmÀ`m' bmJyZM AJXr nS>PS>rbm Ambobr EH$ dog hmoVr. ~hþYm `m doern{bH$S>oM OwÝ`m H$mimV Jmd Am{U VoWo Cƒd{U©`m§Mr dñVr Agmdr. `m JmdmV Vã~b Mmirg df} am{hbobo Am{U `oWoM Xoh R>odbobo \$mXa Om{H$`a~m~m Amnë`m KmoS>mJmS>rV ~gyZ dm KmoS>çmda ñdma hmoD$Z Zoho_rMr `o-Om H$aV AgUma. `wamo{n`Z Agë`mZo qhXw g_mOmVrb Cƒd{U©`m§à_mUoM Ë`m§Zmhr doerImbyZ KmoS>çmda ~gyZ `oÊ`mOmÊ`mMm _mZ Ë`m§Zm hmoVm. doerÀ`m AmVë`m ~mOybm amOdmS>çmbmbmJyZM Voìhmhr _O~yV pñWVrV Agbobr EH$ MmdS>r hmoVr. amOdmS>çmVM hr MmdS>r Agë`mZo amOdmS>çmV amhUmè`m bmoH$m§MrM Vr hmoVr. amOdmS>çmVrb AZoH$ nwê$f_§S>ir VoWo ~gV Agë`mMo Am{U _rhr VoWo Joë`mMo _bm ñnï> AmR>dVo.
_hmamï´>mV OwÝ`m H$mimV àË`oH$ JmdmV ñn¥í`m§gmR>r Am{U Añn¥í`m§gmR>r Aem XmoZ ñdV§Ì MmdS>çm AgV. gdUm©À`m MmdS>rbm JmdMmdS>r Am{U Añn¥í`m§À`m MmdS>rbm _hma MmdS>r åhUV AgV. Jmd MmdS>rV ~gyZ ñn¥í` _§S>ir, nmQ>rb, VbmR>r Am{U JmdH$sMo H$m_ H$aUmao _hma am_moer ~gyZ JmdMm gm_m{OH$ Am{U emgH$s` H$ma^ma nmhV AgV Va _hma MmdS>rV ~gyZ _hma _§S>ir Amnë`m OmVrMm H$ma^ma nmhV AgV. Aem `m XmoZ MmdS>çm§{edm` Jmdm§V BVa g_mOmÀ`m, OmVrÀ`m ñdV§Ì MmdS>çm ZgV Ago S>m°. e§H$aamd IamVm§Zr {b{hbo Amho.2 A{bµH$S>À`m H$mimV Jmd MmdS>rMo ê$nm§Va g_mO_§{XamV Pmbo Am{U H$mhr {R>H$mUr ~m¡ÜX Y_© ñdrH$maboë`m bmoH$m§Zr _hma MmdS>rMo ~wÜX_§Xra qH$dm ~wÜX{dhma Ago Zm_H$aU Ho$ë`mMo {XgVo. _hma g_mO ~hþg§»`oZo {¼ñVr Y_m©V Joboë`m Jmdm§V AWm©VM `m _hma MmdS>çm§Mr H$mimÀ`m AmoKmV Añn¥í`VoÀ`m Mmbr[aVrà_mUoM nS>PS> Pmbr.
lram_nwa ehamV {edm{edrMm àË`j AZw^d KoVë`mMo _bm AmR>dV Zmhr. Á`m Kam§V gmodù`mAmodù`mMr àWm Ago Ë`mVyZ Ë`m KamVrb BVa ì`º$s¨Mrhr gwQ>H$m Zgm`Mr, Ë`m_wio `m àH$mam~m~V Hw$Ur \$mago _Zmbm bmdyZ KoV ZgV. Xa {Xdmirbm Am_À`m Kar eoOmaÀ`m _mir_amR>m Hw$Qw>§~m§Mr \$amimMr VmQ>o `oV, B©Xbm _wgb_mZ eoOmè`m§Mm era-Hw$a_m `oB© Am{U ZmVmimbm Am_À`mH$Sy>Z \$amimMr VmQ>o Ë`m gJù`m§H$S>o OmV. Am_À`m KamVyZ AmirVrb BVa H$mhr Kam§V AmR>dS>çmVyZ XmoZ-{VZXmVar H$mbdUm§Mr, ^mOr§Mr XodmUKodmU hmoV Ago. a{ddmar Am_À`mH$S>o h_Img demQ>mMo OodU Agë`mZo Ë`m{Xder `m XodmUKodmUrda ñW{JVr Agm`Mr. Ë`m_wio Amnë`m hmVM§ H$mhr bmoH$m§Zm MmbV Zmhr Am{U Vo H$m MmbV Zmhr ho _bm Iyn H$mi H$imboM Zmhr. `m àíZm§Mr CÎmao emoYÊ`mMr {ZH$S>hr Ë`mdoir ^mgbr Zmhr.
_mÂ`m _m_m§~amo~a KmoJaJmdmVrb dm Z{OH$À`m IoS>çm§Vrb H$mhr _mUgo lram_nwamV H$m_m{Z{_Îm Amë`mg Am_À`mhr Kar `oV AgV. Ë`m§À`mgmR>r nmÊ`mMm Vm§ã`m AmUbm {H$ Ë`m§À`mVrb H$mhr OU nmUr {nV ZgV. Ë`mZ§Va Ambobm Mhm KoÊ`mMohr Q>miV AgV. _mPo dS>rbnU bJoM Ë`m§Zm 'g_OyZ' KoD$Z MhmnmÊ`mMm AmJ«h H$aV ZgV. ''~mhoê$Z nadmg H$ê$Z Amboë`m nmìhÝ`mZo nmÝ`mbm, Àhmbm Zmhr åhÝb§ Va CJmM AmJah H$am`Mm ZñVmo. AmnwZ C_OyZ ¿`md§ {H$ hr _mÝg§ _amR>§ AgVrb. Ë`mÝZm Amßë`m hmVM§ MmbV ZñV§,"" Aer ~mB©Mr _J AmVë`m ImobrVbr EH$ g„mdOm {Q>nÊUr Agm`Mr.

AmOmoiÀ`m Ë`m dmñVì`mV _bm n{hë`m§XmM X{bV g_mOmVyZ {¼ñVr Pmboë`m g_mOmÀ`m A§Va§JmMr Am{U gm_m{OH$ nmíd©^y_rMr nwgQ>er OmUrd Pmbr. AmOmoiMr Vr daÀ`m OmVtVrb _mUgo KamV Ambr {H$ Ë`m§Mr dmJUyH$ Amåhm Y_m©§V[aV {¼ñVr g_mOmbm Am_Mr Iar AmoiI Am{U g_mOmVrb Am_Mr OmJm XmIdyZ XoV Ago. Xa a{ddmar XodimV AmnU b°Q>rZ ^mfoV {_ñgm Am{U àmW©Zm H$aV Agbmo Var AmnU H$mhr `wamo{n`Z Zmhr Am{U AmnU g_OVmo {VVH$m Amnbm {¼ñVr g_mO 'nwT>o Jobobm' Zmhr `mMr OmUrdhr Voìhm _bm n{hë`m§Xm Pmbr.
g§X^©:
1) \$mXa \«$mpÝgg _m°Oo (E_EgE\$Eg), eo\$S>©g \$m°a ¼mB©ñQ>- A ñQ>moar Am°\$ X H°$Wmo{bH$ MM© BZ g|Q´>b B§{S>`m- (1907-1960); Am`Am`Eg npãbHo$eÝg, B§{S>`Z BpñQ>Q>çwQ> Am°\$ pñn[aÀ`wA[a{bQ>r, 80, âbrQ> ñQ´>rQ>, amOmOrZJa, ~|Jbmoa, 560 010 (1990) (nmZ 75); Am{U ^m. A. nbKS>_b, 'g§J_Zoa Y_©J«m_mbm 75 df} nyU© hmoVmV', ' {Zamoß`m' _m{gH$ , Am°JñQ> 1967, (nmZ 114)

2) S>m°. e§H$aamd IamV, '_hmamï´>mVrb _hmam§Mm B{Vhmg - OmVrMr CËnÎmr d {dH$mgmMm B{Vhmg,' `ed§Vamd MìhmU g_mOemó g§emoYZ H|$Ð Am{U ^maVr {dÚmnrR> nwUo, B§Ðm`Ur gm{hË`, 273, e{Zdma noR>, nwUo 411 030 (2003); (nmZ 57 Am{U 58)

(nyd©à{gÜXr-'gwJmdm' _m{gH$, OyZ 2007)


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

पोप फ्रान्सिस निवड चर्चचा युरोपकेंद्रित चेहरामोहरा बदलणार

Update:  Wednesday, May 01, 2013 5:26:44 PM IST

   
मुख्यपान » संपादकीय » बातम्या
चर्चचा युरोपकेंद्रित चेहरामोहरा बदलणार
- कामिल पारखे
शुक्रवार, 15 मार्च 2013 - 12:00 AM IST

चर्चच्या विविध प्रश्‍नांवरील भूमिकेमध्येही काही मूलगामी बदल होतील काय, अशी उत्सुकता निर्माण झाली आहे. 

अर्जेंटिनाचे कार्डिनल जॉर्ज बेर्गोग्लिओ यांची 266 वे पोप म्हणून निवड झाल्याने जगभर पसरलेल्या कॅथॉलिक चर्चच्या इतिहासात नवे पायंडे पडले आहेत. ख्रिस्ती धर्माला दोन हजार वर्षांची परंपरा आहे. अनेक शतकांच्या कालावधीनंतर पहिल्यादांच या सर्वोच्च धार्मिक पदावर युरोपबाहेरील कार्डिनलची निवड झाली आहे. नव्या पोपची निवड करण्यासाठी जगभरातील 115 कार्डिनल व्हॅटिकनच्या ऐतिहासिक "सिस्टाईन चॅपेल'मध्ये एकत्र आले, तेव्हा नवा पोप कोण असेल, कुठल्या देशातील वा खंडातील वा वंशाचा असेल याविषयी अनेक अंदाज व्यक्त केले जात होते. युरोपबाहेरील कार्डिनलची पोप म्हणून निवड झाल्याने कॅथॉलिक चर्चच्या युरोपकेंद्रित भूमिकेत निश्‍चितच बदल होईल. त्याशिवाय चर्चचा विविध प्रश्‍नांबाबतचा दृष्टिकोन तसेच सामाजिक आणि नैतिक प्रश्‍नांबाबतच्या धोरणांतही काही बदल या निवडीमुळे होऊ शकेल. अन्य धार्मिक समुदायांबाबतच्या दृष्टिकोनातही बदल होतो का ते पाहावे लागेल. लॅटिन अमेरिकी देशांचे विकासासाठी जसे प्रयत्न चालू आहेत, त्याचप्रमाणे इतिहासात अनियंत्रित राजसत्तांच्या विरोधात वेळोवेळी उठावही झाले आहेत. चर्चने लोकांच्या अशा काही चळवळींना पाठिंबा देऊन त्यांना मोठा दिलासा दिला होता.

पोप जॉन पॉल यांनी चार दशकांपूर्वी कॅथॉलिक पंथाचे सर्वोच्च धर्मगुरू म्हणून सूत्रे हाती घेतली. त्यांनी शांतिदूत म्हणून लौकिक मिळवला; मात्र कॅथॉलिक चर्चच्या धोरणांत मूलगामी असे बदल केले नाहीत. त्यांच्यानंतर आलेल्या पोप बेनेडिक्‍ट यांनीही सहा वर्षांच्या कालावधीत चर्चमध्ये फारसे बदल केले नाहीत. त्यामुळेच जगभर पसरलेल्या कॅथॉलिक पंथीय लोकांना नवे पोप फ्रान्सिस यांच्याकडून अनेक अपेक्षा आहेत.

ख्रिस्ती धर्म मूळचा इस्राईलचा असला तरी नंतरच्या काही ऐतिहासिक घडामोडींमुळे या धर्माला पाश्‍चिमात्य विशेषत: युरोपियन चेहरामोहरा प्राप्त झाला होता. गेल्या काही शतकांत ख्रिस्ती धर्माचा आशिया आणि आफ्रिका खंडात प्रसार झाला तरी या युरोपकेंद्रित स्वरूपात फारसा बदल झाला नाही, याचे कारण कॅथॉलिक चर्चच्या धर्मगुरूंत आणि उच्चाधिकाऱ्यांमध्ये युरोपियन व्यक्तींचीच संख्या अधिक होती. गेल्या काही दशकांत या परिस्थितीत बदल झाले आहेत. चर्चच्या कार्डिनलमध्ये विशेषत: आफ्रिकन व्यक्तींचाही समावेश आहे. पोपच्या निवडणुकीत सहभागी झालेल्या आणि ज्यांना पोप होण्याचीही संधी होती अशा कार्डिनलमध्ये भारतातील पाच जणांचा समावेश होता. भारताच्या इतिहासात प्रथमच इतक्‍या संख्येने भारतीय कार्डिनलनी या निवडणुकीत भाग घेतला होता.

नवे पोप फ्रान्सिस यांच्यासमोर अनेक आव्हाने आहेत. गेल्या काही दशकांत कॅथॉलिक चर्चला अनेक गंभीर समस्यांना तोंड द्यावे लागले होते. लहान मुलांवर लैंगिक अत्याचार केल्याचे आरोप पाश्‍चिमात्य राष्ट्रांतील अनेक धर्मगुरूंवर झाले आहेत. या घटनांमुळे कॅथॉलिक चर्चची मोठ्या प्रमाणात बदनामी झाली आहे. चर्चच्या समलिंगी सबंधविरोधी धोरणाविरुद्धही अनेक संघटनांनी आवाज उठवला आहे. कुठल्याही प्रकारच्या गर्भपातास कॅथॉलिक चर्चचा अगदी पूर्वीपासून ठाम विरोध आहे. या व अशा सर्वच प्रश्‍नांबाबत नवे पोप काय भूमिका घेतात, याकडे सर्व जगाचे लक्ष असेल.

आफ्रिका, आशिया खंडांत कॅथॉलिकांचे प्रमाण लक्षणीय आहे. या देशांतील धर्मगुरूंची बिशप अणि कार्डिनल पदांवर चर्चने नेमणूक करावी, अशी या लोकांची अपेक्षा आहे. भविष्यात भारतीय कार्डिनलचीसुद्धा पोपपदावर निवड होऊ शकते.

फोटो गॅलरी

Friday, April 26, 2013

Catholic Marathi monthly turns 110 years old


Magazine published from Pune turns 110
- ST Correspondent
Monday, 22 April 2013 - 10:39 AM IST

PUNE: ‘Niropya’, a Marathi monthly started by the German Jesuit priest Fr Henry Doering in 1903, has completed 110 years this month. The monthly published from ‘Snehsadan’ in the city, is incidentally among the handful of Marathi periodicals which have crossed the century mark.
‘Niropya’ (messenger) was launched by Fr Doering in Walan-Kendal village in Ahmednagar district in April 1903. The founder editor of the magazine was appointed as the second bishop of Pune Catholic Diocese in 1907.
During the first World War, the British government had banned the return of Bishop Doering, a German national, from Rome to India and subsequently, the Vatican had posted him as the Vicar Apostolic of Hiroshima in Japan.
During the turbulent war period, when German missionaries working in India were either incarcerated or deported, the publication of ‘Niropya’ came to a halt. After the cessation of the hostilities, Doering returned to Pune as an archbishop in 1926 and restarted publication of the ‘Niropya’, a year later.
Archbishop Doering who died at the age of 92 in 1951 was interred near the altar of St Patrick’s Cathedral in the city.
The place of the publication of the monthly has often changed, depending on the location of its editor. Since past ten years, it is being published from Pune. Most of the subscribers of this monthly are its third, fourth and sometimes, fifth generation readers. The monthly is published by a trust run by the Jesuits. Significantly, the 110-year-old Marathi monthly was edited by European Jesuits for over six decades, till 1971.
Fr Joe Gaikwad, the present editor of ‘Niropya’, said the monthly has been catering to its readers in keeping with the changing times and it carries articles and news on various social issues. It has nearly 4000 subscribers in various parts of the state.
The history of Marathi journalism began with the publication of ‘Darpan’, a periodical launched by Balshastri Jambhekar in 1832. ‘Dnyanodaya,’ a monthly published by another Christian trust from Pune, is incidentally the oldest surviving Marathi periodical. It was established in 1842.

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Comment
David Sampat Kadam - Tuesday, 23 April 2013 - 12:48 PM IST
Congratulations!!!!! to the Editor and the people who are contributing articles for Niropya....The oldest magazine in India...We can also take the Social Issues and contribute the lot of aricles on WATER Conservation and the work done by Social centers in Ahemadnagar District ....and activate thier activities in this area......along with religious articles......Wishing You All The Best!!!!!
Fr.Joe Gaikwad,s.j. - Monday, 22 April 2013 - 05:39 PM IST
Thanks Camil for rembering 110 years of Niropya and publishing it in Sakal times.
Dr. Ajit LOKHANDE - Monday, 22 April 2013 - 04:02 PM IST
As far as I know, Monsignor Reginald Gonsalves, AN INDIAN, took over as the editor of Niropya in 1951. In 1926 Henry Doering returned to Pune (not as Archbishop but) with the title of "Archbishop" and continued as Bishop of the Pune diocese. Hence the appellation "Archbishop-Bishop Henry Doering".
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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Pune catholics react to Pope's resignation

http://72.78.249.187/SakaalTimesBeta/20130213/4943103812170338565.htm


Sakal Times, February 13, 2013

City Catholics react to Pope’s resignation
CAMIL PARKHE
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 AT 11:27 AM (IST)
PUNE: Catholics in the city have expressed shock over the news of Pope Benedict XVI resignation but yet hailed it as a 'right move' considering his failing health.
Speaking to Sakal Times, Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre said he was deeply saddened to hear the news of the Pope's retirement.
“I have met Pope Benedict four times at the Vatican and once in Jerusalem and I was deeply impressed with his personality, spirituality and intellect. I have read many of his books which reveals his clarity of thoughts and scholarship."
Sister Rekha, city-based Provincial Superior of the Assumption Sisters (India province) and professor at the Jnana-Deep Vidyapeeth, thinks Pope Benedict has willingly and without any external pressures decided to resign. “Pope Benedict has admitted his physical incapabilities. His resignation is a most unique step, clearly indicating he is totally detached from authority and power,” Sister Rekha added.
Sister Rekha who is the only woman elevated to the post of professor in any Catholic institution in the country said she had met Pope Benedict in 2002 when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. She said she also observed the Pope from a close distance while attending a three-week-long Bishops Synod held at the Vatican in October, last year. “I found him very gentle, understanding and humble,” she said.
Poona Catholic Association President Diago Almeida termed the resignation as "expected but sad". “I had attended a mass celebrated by Pope Benedict at St Peter's Square at the Vatican in 2011 and I found him very frail,” he said.
Almeida said he hoped a cardinal from the African continent will be elected as the new Pope. “Of the seven Indian Cardinals, only four are eligible for the papal post and none of them are claimant for the vacant post. So, the conclave of Cardinals should now elect a black Pope to give a new direction to the Catholic Church,” Almeida said.
Comments
On 13/02/2013 05:14 PM diago said:
Good coverage

Saturday, January 26, 2013

'Followers of Christ in Pune' : Citadel monthly



Community
Article published in 'Citadel' monthly, December 2012 issue
Photographs: Shrirang Godbole
Followers of  Christ
With the Christmas spirit  already in the air, Citadel thinks it the perfect time to take a look at the Christian community in the city.
By Prajakta Pandhare
prajakta.citadel@gmail.com
It’s that time of the year when people gear up for the festivities that line up the season. Christmas is indeed just around the corner, and what better time to take a closer look at the Christian community in Pune?
The most important aspect regarding this community in the city is that it is not a homogenous group. The Christian community in Pune is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual group. There are many different groups within the community, such as Marathi Christians, Goan Christians, Mangalorean Christians, Tamil Christians and others. But here’s a glimpse into the community as a whole...
History
Christianity as a religion came to India around 400 years ago, for the first time in Goa. But the first converts are said to have existed as far back as around 2000 years ago. That was the time when the disciple of Jesus Christ, St Thomas, came to Kerala in the first century.  Later, in 14th century, Christianity was again introduced in the country by the Portuguese in places like Vasai and Goa. It’s believed that these Portuguese were religious fanatics. This was the beginning of Christianity in India; it gradually spread all across the country.
The British had conquered Pune in 1818. During this time, there were no local Christians. There were no conversions in Pune. It was mostly the migratory Christian population that set up their community here. Many Goan Christian soldiers were part of the Peshwa army. Since there were many Christian soldiers in the city by this time, there was a need for a church. In the year 1792, Madhavrao Peshwa gave some land to the Christians to build a church. It was thus that the City Church aka the Immaculate Conception Church was built as the first church in Pune. Later in 1859, St Patrick’s Cathedral came into existence.
The Church as a Religious Institution Churches were primarily built for the soldiers and officers who were Goans, British, Irish and other Europeans, who were part of either the Maratha or British army. The British army headquarters in Pune were in the Khadki and Camp areas; thus many churches were built in these areas.
Shifting focus towards the church as an institution, Rt Rev Thomas Dabre, Bishop of Poona, says, “The church is not a club. It’s neither a cultural association nor a non- governmental philanthropic social organisation.
The church is essentially a community of the disciples of Jesus. It’s a community in which there’s no caste system, no gender discrimination and no social divide and stratification.” He adds that through this community of the disciples of Jesus Christ, the church expresses its faith through service and compassion, for which Mother Teresa is a world acclaimed icon.
Worship: Christians consider Jesus as Christ or the Messiah. For them, the Bible is their holy book. The two major groups of Christianity are Catholics and Protestants; another such group is the Eastern Orthodox Church. Worldwide, Catholics form the biggest group, except in England and The United States. In India, Christians are basically the  converts. They are either old converts or new converts. Rt Rev Thomas Dabre puts forth a few principles of Christianity: l To love God and to love your fellowmen: the greatest commandment by Jesus Christ; l This love of God and love of fellowmen should be manifested through service of people in difficulty, in need and in deprivation, as exemplified in the story of the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan’; l Jesus taught us that we must forgive one another and there should be no revenge, retaliation, violence and terrorism. So even when He was killed on the cross, he forgave the perpetrators who put him through Crucifixion.
Holy Mass : A Mass is placed by the Christians at the centre of their faith. For them, Mass
implies a deeper meaning. In simple words, may it be a Sunday Mass or weekday Mass, it is an important aspect of Christianity. Rt Rev Thomas Dabre explains, “Jesus celebrated the last supper with
his apostles. For the wellbeing and salvation of all humanity, Jesus sacrificed himself
on the cross. These two are the most fundamental events of Christianity. These are remembered and made present in the Holy Mass.
” Though it’s a heterogeneous mix of Christian community in Pune, for a Mass they all come together. Camil Parkhe, journalist and author, says, “For English Mass, all the Christians come together. Thus  English Mass binds all the people together. But you will find a Mass in almost all other languages too, like Tamil, Marathi, Konkani, etc.”
Sneha Sadan in Pune is the House of Dialogue of religion and culture. It was started around 40 years ago by the Society of Jesus (SJ). Fr Joe Gaikwad, SJ Trustee,  Sneha Sadan, says, “In 1962-65, there was a worldwide conference in Rome, called the Vatican II. In this conference, inter-religious dialogue came up; the awareness that we should interact with people of other faiths. This council opened the doors
to approach other people, and take good teachings from other religions; and thus bridges were built.” He adds that as a follow-up of this conference, Sneha Sadan was made the centre for inter-religious dialogue in the city. Thus, for non-Christians in the city, this was a new experience altogether.  The basic idea was to give and take and clarify misunderstandings of the past regarding a religion. The House was open for satsang and prayers, for people who wanted counselling, and for those who had spiritual quests. The hall of the House was used for religious programmes, meditation, cultural programmes such as experimental theatre,
etc; that too for a minimal rate. There’s a library too, which has several books on religion, philosophy, and sociology.
Fr Gaikwad goes on to say, “For the first 20 years, the House was very active; there were a lot of activities happening. But since the last few years, the frequency of these activities has become less. Nowadays, people are less interested in religion; so very few people come here.”
But in spite of  all this, celebrations like Christmas and Good Friday are still undertaken with utter zeal. Now, college students come to the House to study at the study hall.
Celebrations: For Christians, their main festivals are Christmas, Easter, Good Friday and Mother
Mary’s birthday.  Christmas is celebrated in honour of the birth of Jesus Christ, on December 25. Good Friday marks the death of Christ on the cross, a Friday in April. Easter is the third day after Christ’s death, ie, a Sunday. This was when Jesus Christ rose again from death, also called the resurrection. Mother Mary’s birthday is celebrated on September 8.
Rt Rev Thomas Dabre says about Christmas, “For us Christians, Christmas is primarily a spiritual celebration, and not cultural or narrowly social. There’s a growing commercialisation of Christmas. There’s also what I would call reduction of Christmas to fun and fanfare. But these are not so important. Christmas is a commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, God has become man. So for us, Christmas
is a time to encounter and experience God and to affirm the need of God in our lives.”
The happiness and celebration of the community is expressed through worship, prayers, church visits, the making of a replica of the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger.


Sunday, December 2, 2012

St Xavier’s Church Pune Camp gets 150th anniv makeover


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2012
Sakal Times
St Xavier’s Church gets 150th anniv makeover
CAMIL PARKHE
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 AT 12:20 AM (IST)
Tags: Saint Francis Xavier’s Church
PUNE: Saint Francis Xavier’s Church, located on St Vincent’s Street in Pune Camp, is getting a new look as it prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary in two months.
The same team of experts, who undertook a massive renovation drive at St Patrick’s Cathedral recently, is presently busy sprucing up the church’s heritage artefacts.
The first mass at the church, which was still under construction, was held on December 2, 1862 on the feast of St Francis Xavier, after whom the church is named. The present church structure built in Gothic architectural style was constructed only in 1864.
Parish priest, Father Bertie Rozario, told Sakal Times that the renovation will cost around Rs 90 lakh.
“The funds for the renovation are being raised by our parishioners. Despite being one of the oldest churches in the city, the number of our parishioners has now dwindled to merely 150 families. Most of the young parishioners from Pune Camp have left during the past few years, to reside in spacious houses in Wanawadi, Fatimanagar and surrounding areas,” said Fr Rozario.
The renovation works include painting the church building, restructuring }of stained glass paintings and repainting the over a century-old statues of saints.
Incidentally, St Xavier’s Church is presently the only parish in the city which is looked after by Jesuit priests.
Vasai-based Mingleshwar Sequeira and his brother Benzoni, who are doing the work of restoration of wooden statues and other artefacts at the church, are fourth generation artistes.
Having launched the work in May this year, their team of artistes has given a new look to nearly 20 antique statues and also polished the pews and other old furniture.