Christian designs to convert Santal Tribals in West Bengal
April 22, 2007New Delhi: Evangelising among tribal peoples in India has never been easy, it demanded patience and determination from the first missionaries to set foot in the country. Still today some of the numerous ethnic tribal communities have yet to hear the Good News of the Gospel.
India has about 68 million Adivasi or Tribals belonging to what are termed "registered tribes", representing 8% of the whole population. It should be said that these people maintain their ethnic and cultural identity but are generally excluded from the social policies of the government and have little access to education, work social services. The Catholic community in India has always shown special concern and attention for these people.
The Gospel reached the Santal Tribals in Kalyani district West Bengala State thanks to Salesian missionaries, sons of St John Bosco: as part of a triduum in preparation for the feast day of the Founder on 31 January, the Salesians of the Don Bosco Vidyaniketan Formation Centre, made their official entrance in a Santal tribal community consisting of about 500 families.
According to the Salesian bulletin ANS the warm welcome received contrasted with the difficult beginning of this mission over the past fee years. The community organised a celebration to show their gratitude, which the guests appreciated: Rev E.A. Thomas, director of Don Bosco Vidyaniketan, Rev Raymond Tudu, three Salesian collaborators, a sister of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and a group of Salesian school students. The community asked the Salesians to take in hand the education of the children and young people. The Salesians' promise to evangelise through education met with great enthusiasm on the part of local youth.
(Hindus beware from such Christians!- Editor)
Source: Fides News Service (http://www.fides.org )
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