The new archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, Msgr. John Barwa, titular of Rourkela, Orissa, spoke exclusively to AsiaNews
about his appointment, the history of his people and events that have
accompanied the Church in the region.
"Unworthy though I am, it is He
who has manifested his Great Love through the journey of
my life, from my humble tribal origins to the called to serve as a
priest, then a provincial, Bishop and Archbishop. It is
only through the Loving Mercy of God and the accompaniment of his
Blessed Mother, who has accompanied me on my journey in Faith and
Service to the Church and my People".
The archbishop has taken a particularly pointed out that the
announcement of the appointment was made “on the Feast of Our Lady of
Lourdes and this was providential as the Blessed Mother has been my
constant companion in the Via Crucis of my life, my family and my
people. Yesterday, before the announcement, I was in
Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, I felt very uneasy and
disturbed, and Prayed to the Father and the Blessed Mother, to guide me,
in this new responsibility to lead my people, praying I felt empowered that the Holy Sprit will guide me to lead our people”.
The archbishop-elect is the uncle of Meena Barwa, the nun who
suffered violence and rape during the 2008 pogrom in Kandhamal.
“Sr
Meena was one of the first who greeted me and she was bubbling with joy ,
“Uncle” she joyfully said, “God is so kind to our family. My heart
sings of the Greatness of God , Uncle, you will lead our people in
truth, justice and peace. All my sufferings, pain and humiliation I offer for you and your mission as archbishop. God
will lead you and Mary will protect you. I will continuously pray for
you. This is for our people and our Church a sign of God’s continued
blessings.” Thus the archbishop added that "the sufferings
of Meena are bearing fruit for the Church, for the people of Orissa and
for my family."
The Archbishop is well aware of the difficulties inherent in
the situation: "My motto is ‘Thy Kingdom Come”, and the Kingdom of God
is peace, justice, love as opposed to hatred and Iijustice, and it is the love of Christ that prompts us to works of justice and truth.”