Bp. Saji Nellikunnel CST
Bishop of Gorakhpur

When is your episcopal ordination?
My Episcopal Ordination was on Sunday, 5 November, 2023.

What is your motto as a bishop? Why do you chose it?
“Become all for all” captures the essence of 1 Corinthians 9:22. It emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and selfless in order to reach out to others and share the gospel.

You are called from Kerala to head the diocese of Gorakhpur in Utter Pradesh how do you understand your vocation?
My vocation is to become a missionary after the spiritual childhood of St. Therese of Lisieux. As a member of Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers), I regard my call as a call as a missionary to bear witness to Jesus and the Gospel to the farthest end of the world. St. Therese of Child Jesus, the patroness of the Mission is my inspiration.

You were the rector of the seminary of your congregation in Aluva and now you are called to lead a Catholic population of 3400 in Uttar Pradesh which is a tiny Christian minority How do you understand your minority situation within a vast majority of non-Christians?
The Syro Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Gorakhpur has 3400 Catholics. The thrust of the mission work is to spread the Gospel messages of love, mercy, justice and fraternity.

UP is the heartland of Hindi, it is also influenced by the Hindutva ideology, how do you understand the Catholic Mission of Christ’s call?
To bear witness to Jesus and the Gospel message is a challenge in the present scenario especially in the context of UP.

Amartya Sen once said “the idea of India is in danger” do you think there is danger in the country for the Constitutional values of equality, fraternity and freedom in the present India?
The Constitution of India lays down four universal values: Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. These values are essential for maintaining unity and harmony in the country. I do not have an opinion on whether there is danger in the country for these Constitutional values. However, it is important for people to be aware of these values and strive towards upholding them.

Religious fundamentalism is the mood of the present world, it has affected every religion, and do you confront persecution being a Christian?
I have not personally experienced any persecution as a Christian. However, I do agree that there is a considerable change in the nature of the society paving ways for fundamentalist ideologies and fanatic movements.

You are a member of the Khrist Jyoti Punjab-Rajasthan Province. How is your mission experience and how do you envisage it. Evangelisation is not conceived as proselytism says Pope Francis, “faith does not grow by proselytism but by attraction”. What has Christ tell India? How do you understand?
I am a member of Khrist Jyoti Province, Punjab-Rajasthan. I have worked two years as a parish priest and manager of a school in Rajasthan. I was the Provincial Superior of this province for three years. I have a firm conviction that the lives and the works of missionaries really attract many to the gospel values.

How do you envisage your leadership with your clergy, religious and the people in the missionary diocese of Gorakhpur? How do you understand Synodality of Pope Francis?
Eparchy of Gorakhpur has a strong bondage with diocesan clergy, religious and the lay people. All cooperate wholeheartedly for the propagation of gospel values.

You have done your specialisation in philosophy, how far Indian philosophy and culture relevant in the mission in India
Indian philosophy and culture are very relevant in shaping India’s mission as they provide a unique perspective on various philosophical problems and offer novel solutions to them. They also continue to attract global attention and appreciation.