News and pic from Austin Prabhu
Daijiworld Media Network - Chicago (SP)
Chicago, Jan 23: The Society of the Divine Word, Chicago Province has informed that the Catholic archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, Raphael Cheenath SVD will address the Chicagoans on February 2, 2009, on the occasion of the launching of 'Asha Kiran', an innovative programme aimed at bringing back normalcy and stability in Orissa.
During his tour of USA that also features New York and Washington DC, the archbishop will unveil plans for restoring of peace in Orissa. It may be recalled, that recently, Orissa state, specifically Kandhamal district, witnessed widespread violence, unleashed by people out to avenge the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a Hindu leader.
Richard Vaz SVD, who served as Orissa's regional director of Caritas and worked with archbishop Cheenath for many years pointed out that the Hindu groups used the occasion to carry out hidden agenda in spite of the fact that naxals claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Swamiji. "They pursue Hindutva, aiming at creating a Hindu nation by excluding minorities like Muslims and Christians. The perpetrators of violence were trying to eradicate Christians," he explained.
During the riots, more than 70 people were killed. As many as 50,000 fled into the forests for shelter. Mobs destroyed thousands of homes, leaving the victims to seek shelter in refugee camps. According to National Catholic Reporter’s John Allen, “India is a rising power, but it also faces a rapidly growing metastasizing form of Hindu extremism. If things break the wrong way, the Indian subcontinent could become the new Middle East—a perpetually destabilized region whose animosities seed conflict around the world, radicalizing a global Hindu diaspora,” the society informed.
Archbishop Cheenath will speak about the current situation and introduce 'Asha Kiran', which means “ray of hope,” at 3 pm on Saturday, February 7, at St Alphonsa Hall at St Thomas Syro-Malabar Cathedral. He will celebrate Mass beginning at 5 pm. The cathedral is located at 5000 St Charles Road, Bellwood, Ill.
On Sunday, Feruary 8 at 10 am, he will preside a Mass at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. The chapel is located in Techny Towers, 2001 Waukegan Road, Techny, Ill. The public is invited to a reception following the Mass. For more information about either event, go to www.svdmissions.org or call 847-272-7600.
The media is welcome at both the events. Media wishing to attend or to interview archbishop Cheenath should contact Theresa Carson at 847-412-1606, a release from the organization said.