Sainthood to Alphonsa a consolation for Kandhamal victims

Written by Writer on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

Sainthood to Alphonsa a consolation for Kandhamal victims

IST,PTI

BHUBANESWAR: Terming the sainthood to an Indian nun as a ‘rare honour’ for the entire country, Christian religious leaders have said that it will inspire all to work selflessly among the poor and deprived.

The Christian leaders, targeted after VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati’s killing in Kandhamal, said sainthood to sister Alphonsa and the tale of her life of sufferings will act as an inspiration for those working for the poor.

”Sainthood to Sister Alphonsa is good for the entire country and consolation for Kandhamal victims”, Archbishop of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Raphel Cheenath said adding that this will inspire all to dedicate their lives to the service of mankind.

Sainthood means becoming ‘close to god’. Asked if sainthood of Alphonsa would help the nun who was allegedly raped in Kandhamal recently, he said it would be a consolation for all who suffered during the violence.

”The life of Sister Alphonsa was full of inspiration for others as many people in Kandhamal had suffered as they lost their near and dear ones and habitat”, he said.

Father Joseph Kalathil, Vicar General of Bishop House here, however, said though the sainthood for an Indian origin nun was a ‘great joy’ for the community, it would not have any direct impact on the victims of violence in kandhamal.

”This is certainly a consolation for all the people hit by the violence at Kandhamal. But it would take some time to heal the wounds”, he said.

‘Rape’ of the 29-year-old nun had caused much pain among the community members than any other types of violence in Kandhamal, Father Kalathil said.