The Diocese of Sindhudurg, in Maharashtra in western India, is 300 miles south of Mumbai and is a missionary diocese. It is a spiritual home to Catholics who make up fewer than 1 percent of the population, while Hindus make up the majority.
This year, a freakish monsoon wreaked considerable devastation. It began with the start of the rainy season in early July and continued unabated until the season ended in September, bringing unprecedented fury, flooding villages, destroying crops, submerging homes and simply causing untold suffering, damage, and economic losses to families at a level never seen before.
I express my immense gratitude to God and to the Diocese of Columbus and His Excellency, Bishop Earl Fernandes, for partnering with us in our 2024 mission appeal.
My association with Ohio runs deep. About five years ago, I visited and celebrated Mass at Sacred Hearts Church in Cardington and the prison in Marion. It was the will of God, as it gave the inmates a feeling of love and respect. I blessed them and their little vegetable gardens. I was deeply humbled and honored to be able to serve.
As a microscopic minority in the diocese, Catholics face severe challenges, as can be imagined. We are building a new cathedral for the diocese. The cathedral may not be completed in our lifetimes, so we are honored by the generosity and support of other Catholics.
We are happy to report that we have been able to carry forward our missionary activities. For instance, we publish Bibles in the local language and assist many flood-affected families whose homes have been destroyed. The work of restoring their houses continues in phases, and we are doing the best using the funds we receive.
Despite our limitations, we have been actively reaching out to the poor, who have no means of support from any agencies or external support. We especially support daily wage laborers who have no consistent source of income and are often without proper food. We have identified more than 500 such families.
Our five diocesan schools have been financially hit by government orders to exempt tuition fees from the students. Many parents are not able to pay tuition, with the result that we are struggling to pay the salaries of our teachers. A significant percentage of these families are poor and marginalized and we have to reach out to them.
Our work of restoring dilapidated church buildings has come to a standstill because of the lack of funds. But our hope is in the Lord who will restore all things.
We thank the Diocese of Columbus for its support. Our success is possible only with your great partnership with the Diocese of Sindhudurg. The efforts of Dr. Lionel de Souza, an award-winning educator from Marion and Cardington, Ohio, as the chief executive officer of Global Caring for Humanity, are tireless in support.
As bishop of the diocese, I express my gratitude to you for your wonderful camaraderie. I assure you of my prayers for all your intentions as I seek the intercession of Our Lady of Miracles, the Patroness of our diocese. May God immensely bless you, your shepherds (bishop and priests), and your diocese for your support, and may you always find favors in God’s sight for your charity and support.
For more information on our diocese, go to www.sindhudurgdiocese.org