"Father Ferrer dies in Anantapur

Humanist ‘Father’ Ferrer dies; Andhra CM recalls ex-jesuit’s contribution to
Published : June 22 2009


HYDERABAD, Andhra Pradesh : A revered Spanish humanist and former Jesuit priest, Vicente Ferrer, who worked for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden in Andhra Pradesh, died at Anantapur district in the southern Indian state, June 19. He was 89.According his son, Moncho, who is currently at Anantapur, Ferrer died of kidney failure. However, the Associated Press, citing sources at the Rural Development Trust, a non-governmental organisation established by Ferrer in Andhra Pradesh, said he had been ill since suffering a blood clot in March last and died of cardio-respiratory failure.A spokesperson for the Vicente Ferrer Foundation told the media June 19 that the ex-Jesuit’s wife, children and members of the Foundation were at his side at the time of his death.Ferrer arrived in India over 50 years ago and worked relentlessly for the poor through his charitable organisations.In a condolence message to Moncho Ferrer, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, recalling Ferrer’s indefatigable and selfless service to society, said: ”Father Ferrer (as he is popularly known) is an icon of nobility, humility and truth who has put in 56 years of relentless work in India.”“Ferrer dedicated his life and worked for the poor, especially the Dalits (untouchables), tribals, the weaker sections, women and the disabled,” he added. “His contribution to the development of the people of Anantapur district, and partly Kurnool district, will be remembered for a long time to come.”Former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and Telugu Desam Party president Nara Chandrababu Naidu also condoled the death of Ferrer.More than two million people have benefited from Ferrer’s organisations in Anantapur, where he lived for nearly 40 years.Born in Barcelona in 1920, Ferrer took part in the Spanish Civil War and later abandoned law studies to become a Jesuit. He arrived in Mumbai in 1952 as a missionary and was expelled in 1968 by the Indian authorities who were suspicious of his charitable activities.Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in favour of his staying in India. In the following year, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi granted him a visa so that he could continue his work in poverty-stricken Andhra Pradesh. Ferrer established himself in Anantapur, where his Rural Development Trust and Vicente Ferrer Foundation have created homes for thousands of people, hundreds of schools, several hospitals and thousands of water wells."I never spoke to (the poor) about God. There were other priorities," Ferrer had once said, leading to his expulsion from the Society of Jesus later on.In 1970, Ferrer married British journalist Anna Perry, with whom he had three children. In 1998, Ferrer was awarded the top Spanish Prince of Asturias Prize for his humanitarian work. He was also proposed as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Courtesy : SAR News
Sources from: http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/12472-1-6-Humanist-‘Father’-Ferrer-dies;-Andhra-CM-recalls-ex-jesuit’s-contribution-to

Hyderabad Archbishop demands equal dignity for Dalit Christians

Hyderabad Archbishop demands equal dignity for Dalit Christians
Published : June 14 2009
Indian Catholic

HYDERABAD: First Dalit Bishop of India and the Hyderabad Archbishop, Rev.Dr. Marampudi Joji, in an audience granted to a leading online media, demanded that there should be equal rights in the country for both the Dalit Hindus and Dalit Christians. He said, “I am the first Dalit Bishop of India and I have a duty to ensure that most Dalit Christians can enjoy the same privileges on par with other Dalits.” To this end the bishop had led a delegation last week to the Chief Minister of Andhrapradesh, Mr. Y. S. R. Reddy, handing over a memorandum of demands. It was a 40 member delegation which demanded revoking the earlier presidential order of the 1950 that denied the converts from the Dalit community to Christianity and Islam the rights granted to other Dalits. “By restricting the benefits to a particular religion, the order has divided the entire Dalit community on the basis of religion,” said the bishop. According to the bishop the order is a complete violation of the rights granted by the Indian constitution, articles 15 and 25. The bishop further added,” “When the Holy See announced my appointment as the first Dalit archbishop, there were a lot of rumblings in society, but onlyChurch “treats us like a family, without discrimination of any kind.” He said that the issue for the Indian society has socio economic impact. Even after the conversions the condition of the Dalits socially and economically remain the same and that the change in religion does not mean change in caste.

Source: http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/12386-1-1-Hyderabad-Archbishop-demands-equal-dignity-for-Dalit-Christians

Andhra CM tot ake up Dalit Christian issue with Centre

Andhra C.M. to take up Dalit Christian issue with Centre
ANDHRA PRADESH, June 09, 2009, 09.40 Hrs (Anthoniraj Thumma / CBCI News):
The Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC), the state-level body of the Bishops and Church Heads of all Denominations met Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on June 06, to felicitate him on assuming the second term and present a memorandum. There were about 40 delegates along with the Bishops led by Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad (the Executive Vice- President of APFC) who presented the memoranda of APFC to the Chief Minister and CSI Bishop G. Dyvasirvadam of Krishna-Godavari (the Co-President of APFC) who offered prayers for the success of C. M’s second term in office. The other Bishops and Church Heads present were Catholic Bishop Thumma Bala of Warangal, Methodist Bishop Manilal V. Kristie of Hyderabad, Rev. Dr. B. Sunil Bhanu, President of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Rev. Dr. Ch. John, President of Central Union of Seventh Day Adventist Church. There were many priests and pastors and leaders of various Churches including the Pentecostal and Independent Churches. Some prominent members of the APFC Advisory Council and Action Committee were present. Among them Sri Stanley Babu IRTS (Retd) and Sri G. Alfred IPS (Retd) spelt out the issues presented in the memoranda.
Responding to the requests made by the Bishops and Christian leaders, the Chief Minister accepted to take up issue of SC status to the Dalit Christians with Central Government especially with the Union Ministers for Law and Justice and for Social Justice and Empowerment. He agreed to lead a state delegation of Church leaders to the Centre to persuade the Centre. Dr. K. Jeyasudha, newly elected MLA of Secunderabad, and Sri. D. Rajeshwer Rao MLC were also present.
With regard to the petition for allotment of government land for the construction for A.P. State Christian Finance Corporation and Christian Community Center available near James Street Railway Station at Secunderabad, the Chief Minister responded positively and asked the official to look into the matter. He also promised to take up the issue of allotment of lands for the Christian graveyards.
The other issues contained in the APFC Memorandum were: rectification of GOs 746 and 747 to prevent attacks on the evangelizers, extension of grant-in-aid and lifting of ban on filling up of the vacant posts, promotions and transfers in Christian Minority Schools, allocation of more funds to the A.P. State Christian Finance Corporation, and allotment of due share of the schemes under the Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme for the Minorities to the Christian Minority.
A Bill to stop the sale of Christian properties demanded by some individuals on other occasions was brought up towards the end of the meeting. The Chief Minister also expressed the need for the same as complaints regarding the matter still persist. The APFC and the Church leaders must themselves address this serious problem and come up with a mechanism to regulate the management of Church properties so that the State may not be asked to interfere in the internal matters of the Churches. Fr. Anthoniraj Thumma,Executive Secretary, APFC
Source: http://www.cbcisite.com/cbcinews2970.htm