New Delhi:

The Vatican has authorized the sainthood process for 35 Indian Catholics who were martyred by Hindu nationalists in 2008. It was on October 25 that Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar issued a circular announcing that the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has issued the Nihil Obstat for the beatification process of Kanteshwar Digal and 34 companions who were martyred for the faith during the 2008 pogrom of Christians in the tribal district of Kandhamal in the eastern state of Odisha.

With the Nihil Obstat, Digal and 34 companions have been given the title of Servants of God which is the first step towards sainthood. Thus officially begins the formal inquiry into the sanctity of the 35 candidates. The archdiocese will now begin collecting witness statements from people who knew the 35 martyrs. The documents will then be sent to the Dicastery, which has to make a final decision. If it is positive, the pope will grant the authorization to promulgate the decree on martyrdom. This will eventually pave the way for their canonization.

“When we see that our own brothers and sisters are recognized by the whole Church in the world, it is something great,” said Archbishop Barwa. “To know that Kandhamal is not forgotten, that God is listening to them, that even through martyrdom God is with them.” Digal, who hails from Sankarakhole parish was killed on September 25, 2008, at the age of 53.

The anti-Christian pogrom witnessed nuns and priests being attacked, churches vandalized and burnt and homes and fields destroyed. It was the worst outbreak of Christian persecution in recent years. Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias expressed happiness over the decision of the Dicastery. It was he who encouraged the Church in Odisha to promote the cause of the Kandhamal martyrs in 2017.