Indian Augustinians recall ‘humble’ visits of new pope
Ook de Kerk in India verwelkomde de verkiezing van paus Leo XIV. Vooral in de zuidelijke deelstaten Kerala en Tamil Nadu, waar hij goed bekend is. Beide staten hebben immers een speciale band met hem omdat hij er twee keer op bezoek was tijdens zijn ambtstermijn als algemeen-prior van de augustijnen in 2001 en 2013. Pater Wilson Vishwanath Injarapu, regionaal vicaris van de augustijnen in India, schetst de achtergrond.
“My joy knew no bounds when he was announced as the next leader of the Catholic Church,” said Fr Wilson Vishwanath Injarapu.
The Church in Indian welcomed the election of Pope Leo XIV, particularly in southern states where he is well known.
The states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu boast of a special bond with him, as he visited Kerala twice and Tamil Nadu during his tenure as prior general of the Augustinian order in 2001-2013.
As Fr Robert Francis Prevost OSA, he established a strong bond with his confreres in India thanks to his amiable nature, said Fr Wilson Vishwanath Injarapu, the regional vicar of the Augustinians in India.
He told The Tablet the new pope was down to earth, “simple, humble and compassionate”, recalling when he visited the Augustinian house in Kerala in 2004.
“I was a student then. But had no hesitation in approaching him. He would crack jokes and be one with us. He would exhort us to become like St Augustine,” he said, recalling that Fr Prevost was mostly seen praying, meditating and spending long hours in the chapel.
“My joy knew no bounds when he was announced as the next leader of the Catholic Church. I had just met him two months ago at our generalate in Rome in February,” said Fr Injarapu.
“At that time, I couldn’t even in the wildest of dreams imagine that this simple, humble soul was just two months away from taking over the reins of the Catholic Church.”
He said that despite his status as cardinal, he remained simplicity personified.
“He stayed with me in the Augustinian house. We dined and celebrated Holy Mass together. He served me and carried my plate away after we had supped.”
Their conversation recalled Prevost’s visits to Kerala and his memories of the verdant scenery around the Augustinian house by the river in Aluva in Kochi city. “He loved Indian cuisine and was very fond of sea food,“said Fr Injarapu.
He praised Prevost as a great missionary and welcomed Leo XIV as “God’s chosen shepherd”.
His fellow Augustinian Fr John Bosco Kuttuthara said he was blessed by the new pope at his ordination.
“Fr Prevost had come for the ordination ceremony. All six, including myself, who were ordained on 22 April 2004 at St Xavier’s Church in Kaloor, Kochi. Though scattered around the globe, we fondly held a teleconference Friday [on 9 May] to celebrate our dear priest’s elevation,” said Fr Kuttuthara.
In October 2006, Fr Prevost visited Kerala for the second time to participate in the Asia-Pacific meeting of the Order of St Augustine in Aluva. He also visited the Augustinian Shenbagam School in Pollachi in Tamil Nadu state.
Prelates also voiced admiration for Prevost’s efforts for unity with the faithful during his time as a priest.
Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Varapuzha, in Kerala, said that “his love for the poor and strong belief in the universal mission of the Church are reflected in his life”.
Offering the archdiocese’s prayers, he said that as head of the Order of Saint Augustine Prevost did commendable mission work, including in Latin America.
During Fr Prevost’s visit in 2006, he came to the historic Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Joseph in Varapuzha, “These visits remain cherished memories for many faithful,” Kalathiparambil said, and churches in the archdiocese will offer special prayers for the Pope’s installation.
The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) has also offered prayers for all the initiatives of Pope Leo, whom it said knew Kerala Church well.
“Let him be able to take a realistic look at present day challenges and lead the Church and the society in the path of peace and unity. His work as a missionary in Latin America will stand him in good stead in his new mission as the Pope,” a KCBC spokesman said in a statement.
Reacting to the Pope’s election, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) said the Church in India pledges its total loyalty and allegiance to Pope Leo XIV.
“The Indian Church joins Catholics around the world in raising our hearts and minds in thanksgiving to the Heavenly Father for providing us a shepherd after the pattern and image of His Son, Jesus Christ, the Supreme Shepherd,” said the CBCI’s general secretary Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto of Delhi.
Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, vice president of the Conference of the Latin-rite Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), said “with faith and filial love, we welcome Pope Leo XIV, rejoicing in his election and entrusting his pontificate to the providence of God”.
Recognising his pastoral experience, humility, and dedication to the Gospel, the bishops affirmed their commitment to walking in communion with him in the shared mission of evangelisation, justice, peace, and care for the poor and creation, Machado said.
Calling the election an historic moment, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas of Daltonganj said: “His episcopal ministry not only identifies with the faith of the people but also emphasises his role as a consecrated shepherd.”
In the eastern state of Jharkhand, many Catholics gathered in parishes to pray and celebrate. Fr David Xalxo of St Mary’s Cathedral in the state capital Ranchi, said “the pontiff is known for his missionary zeal and his election will lead to a spiritual renewal”.
Fr Wilson Vishwanath Injarapu
Fr Wilson Vishwanath Injarapu is de regionale vicaris van de augustijnen in India.
