Tuesday, October 14, 2008

'Sainthood to Alphonsa a rare honour for India'

Bhubaneswar:
Terming the sainthood to an Indian nun as a "rare honour" for India, Christian religious leaders today said it will inspire all to work selflessly among the "poor and deprived".


The leaders of the Christian community, which was targetted after the killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati in Kandhamal, said sainthood to Sister Alphonsa and the tale of her sufferings would act as an inspiration for the people 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 this would inspire all to dedicate their lives to service of mankind.

Sainthood means becoming "close to god", he said.

Asked if sainthood of Alphonsa would help the nun who was raped in Kandhamal recently, he said it would be a consolation for all those who suffered during the violence.

"The life of Sister Alphonsa was full of inspiration for the people in Kandhamal who had suffered and lost their near and dear ones during the violence," he said.

Meanwhile, Vicar General of Bishop House Father Joseph Kalathil said here 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 will 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.

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