Vatican representative Salvatore Pennacchio, while attending several functions in communally-sensitive Kandhamal district on Friday said all should work together to ensure brotherhood giving up all ill-feelings.
"We all should work together to ensure greater fraternity and brotherhood in society, leaving all ill-feelings," said Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio or diplomatic representative of the Pope to India. Addressing a meeting at Raikia (Kandhamal) held on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of establishment of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar diocese, Pennacchio said people from all walks should work jointly to uphold unity and integrity and ensure peace.
A message from Pope Francis was also read out at the function organised at a restored Roman Catholic church damaged in riots. The church at Raikia has been restored at a cost of Rs 18 lakh.
The church was damaged during riots in December 2007, about eight months before large-scale violence rocked the district in the wake of the killing of VHP leader Swami laxmanananda Saraswati in August 2008. As many as 24 bishops and archbishops from across the country participated in the function. "We are happy that there is peace and harmony in Kandhamal where people have forgotten bitterness of the past and are living together happily," said Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar John Barwa.
Besides Barwa, Archbishops of Delhi and Baleswar and former Archbishop Raphael Cheenath took part in the event. Elaborate security arrangements were made in view of Pennacchio's visit to the tribals-dominated district. "I feel joy to visit Kandhamal," he had said after unveiling a new statue of Mother Mary at the parish at Phulbani on Thursday.