Work begins on a home for sick and retired priests in India
There are 110 priests actively working in the Diocese of Jagdalpur in the state of Chhattisgarh in central eastern India, and now, thanks to our supporters, they will have a home to go to when they are ill or retired.
The diocese was established in 1972, and the first priests came here from other regions of India. They belonged to the Syro-Malabar congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. Since 1990, there have also been a number of local vocations. At present, there are 15 young men in the major seminary and another 18 in the minor seminary. They have been inspired by the example of other priests, whom they have witnessed at work since childhood.
“People wonder why the priests leave their families and their home regions. They can see that the priests are not looking for any professional advancement but are simply there among them to serve,” explains Father Tijo Manjamakkil. The priests go out and proclaim the good News of the Gospel to the poor and the marginalized, sharing their hard lives with them and striving to help them, little by little, to improve their lives by being in the words of Saint Paul “all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
Many of these priests, who for many long years have carried the life of the Church in the region on their shoulders, are now old and frail, or sick and worn out by the harsh lives they have endured. They can no longer struggle on in these remote villages but require medical care and assistance. As a result, the diocese is building the Shalom retirement home for ailing and retired priests where, after decades of faithful service, they themselves will now be able to receive the help and care they need.
Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we have been able to contribute $33,000 towards the cost of this project – and now the foundation stone has finally been laid and the building work begun.
To all of you who have helped, our heartfelt thanks!
Aid to the Church in Need commits to invest your funds where they will have the greatest impact for the Church that we serve. Funds donated to Aid to the Church in Need’s projects will be used towards the greatest need in our programs to help keep the Faith alive.
Code: 317-08-19
