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| the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary,english.pradesh18.com |
it is called the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, it can accommodate at least 8,000 worshipers at a time. It is believed that it took roughly 15 years to complete the construction work (in 1968). It was founded in 1962 in the period of Late Rev.Bishop Stanislas Tigga and was inaugurated on 27th October 1979. In this region the Jashpur diocese attracts the largest number of Catholics in Chhattisgarh state. Since Kunkuri has a large catholic community, for their convenience in Jashpur, the bishop’s house and the cathedral are located at Kunkuri.
The area once experienced a sharp political rift between the Christian tribal, predominantly Roman Catholics, and the non-Christian tribal, mainly the Hindu tribal backed by certain communal organizations as the conversion of Hindu tribal to Christianity became a serious issue. Conversion work, it was complained, by offering largess to the poor tribes by certain Christian organization was on the increase. Hinduism does not believe in conversion of other faiths to it's fold and vice versa. Unfortunately, in the last two decades or so only certain christian organizations and also organizations of other faiths with funds from abroad have indulged in the conversion of the tribal community whose traditions and conventions are deep-rooted. There are many tribal community who follow nature worship. At stake are their tribal tradition in the name of modernity. rumors were afoot, such organizations were abusing the foreign funds, using conversion work as a front to gobble up money. Thus such organizations spoil the name of sincere and dedicated missionary works done by numerous genuine groups.
The interesting fact about this church is its activities are taken care of and maintained by local tribal community. Characteristic of seven arcade in a shape of an arch and seven sacraments symbols made of angle Iron, the church has a beautiful shrine just in front of this cathedral building is also inviting the visitor to pray before the mother marry (Mercy of Mother).
Yet another feature is the local people belonging to other faith visit this church for prayer and blessings in the belief that Christ would help them get through their difficult period and relieve them of various problems they face daily.
Ref:
http://english.pradesh18.com/news/bihar/run-by-tribals-cathedral-of-our-lady-of-the-rosary-is-indias-largest-catholic-church-657283.
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