Bengaluru/New Delhi: Ten years ago, what happened in Kandhamal, Odisha should have never happened and should never ever happen again, said Archbishop John Barwa SVD, Archdiocese, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, in a statement, on Thursday, August 16.

The Archbishop said the people and clergy recall with greatest pain and agony the barbaric events that occurred particularly in 2008. The inhuman attack on innocent people caught unawares in the middle of the night of August 25, 2008 will always remain a black spot in the history of the traditionally peace loving people of Odisha and Independent India. The massacre of the innocents was the heart-breaking tragedy which continued unabated for months.

The attackers snuffed out human lives, destroyed and demolished churches, homes, schools, hospitals, dispensaries, offices, and centres working for the uplift and development of the poor and marginalized people especially the tribals, dalits, OBC and others. Women and young girls were gang raped and thousands had to flee to the jungles in fear and despair, the statement added.

The people of Odisha, however, want to turn over a new leaf and want a renewed society filled with peace and social harmony. The Christian community believes in a God who is the God of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. We remember even after ten years how much harm hatred and anger can do to our society. We wish to remember what happened so that it never happens again. We have no enmity with anyone. We believe like the Apostle St. Paul that “trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged, we are left without answer, but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed”, (2Cor. 4: 8-9), Archbishop Barwa elaborated.

Over the past one decade, the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar has remained close to the victims and has been the prime driving force for the legal processes to seek justice for the victims and relief for those who have suffered. For the purpose, the Archdiocese had organized several rallies, submitted memorandums and is still fighting in the courts for justice. In the present context, more than ever before, we wish to surrender everything to our God in prayer and supplication believing as the Bible tells that “for humans it may seem impossible, but for God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26).

The Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) is organizing a Solemn Holy Mass for Reconciliation that there might be genuine feeling of goodwill, Thanksgiving for those who witnessed the faith with their heroic life and Grace that the Church may further be strengthened to live its faith. This will take place on August 25, 2018 at St Joseph Convent School ground, Bhubaneswar at 10.00 A.M. The Archdiocese along with all others wants to pray for true forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.

The Archbishop said he takes this opportunity to thank the Government of Odisha which has shown commitment to work for the growth and progress of everyone irrespective of caste, creed and colour. He hopes and prays that complete relief be granted to those who are still seeking it. The Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and CBCI are organizing the Holy Mass for Reconciliation, Thanksgiving & Grace with a humanitarian and clarion call to everyone of good will, especially those who believe in secularism, democracy, justice, peace and brotherhood. Archbishop Barwa concluded saying “We implore God’s blessings on all men and women of good will.”