• What have you done in Chad to deserve The Oscar Romero Prize 2023 of the Catholic Men’s Movement of Austria?

The Oscar Romero prize has been awarded to me for taking initiatives to start schools in Chad and north Cameroon and giving children the possibility to go to school in a region, where school education is not accessible to all. Our schools offer quality education in one of the poorest parts of the world, where governments have failed to give education to the people. Our focus is also on educating girl children, who are otherwise confined to homes and agricultural chores. We try to bring about social change through our schools, which is very needed in this part of the world. We have also completed many other humanitarian projects like making drinking water available, feeding the children with midday meals programme etc

• It looks that you initiated a School system of educating the children of a that country, how important is education as far as a society is concerned?

Education is the basis of any cultural and economic development. The MSFS (Fransalians) have been making great effort to give quality education to the poor in this part of the world. We are convinced that by educating the younger generation we can bring about changes in the society

• You think of yourself as a catalyst “for positive social changes,” what do you think of “positive social change?”

I think education can bring about social changes in a society which is still deep-rooted in many unhealthy social practices like child marriage, black magic, inhuman initiation rites, etc. Education also helps them to come out of the vicious cycle of ignorance, poverty, and social backwardness. I believe providing qualitative education brings about positive social changes in the society and we have kept it as one of the primary goals of the Fransalian missions in Chad and Cameroon.

• “Sometimes the circumstances bother me, but in my experience, people are basically the same everywhere,” you said. Man is a maker of history, but disturbing the circumstance you disturb some people. Did you find opposition? Situations bother for they are fatalities created for people?

That’s true; man creates history and is also shaped by history. The history and lives of the people in Central Africa have been shaped by slave trade, colonialism, multinational exploitation, etc. These historical happenings find repercussions even today. In our attempt to achieve things for the people we are confronted with fierce opposition from multiple corners, like corrupt government officers, stubborn tribal leaders blinded by their brutal tribal practices who want to maintain the status quo of the tribal societies, ignorant and illiterate populations, etc.
I believe that most human beings are basically good, but when people have to fight for their livelihood, some evil elements inherent in human beings can take upper hand. In the developed world, people do not have to fight for their daily necessities but that is not the case in many parts of Central African region.

• What “Church preaches is not alienation; it is not going to heaven to think about eternal life and forget about the problems on earth. It’s a transcendence from the human heart. It is entering into the reality of a child, of the poor, of those wearing rags, of the sick, of a hovel, of a shack. It is going to be shared with them. And from the very heart of misery, of this situation, to transcend it, to elevate it, to promote it, and to say to them, “You aren’t trash. You aren’t marginalized.” It is to say exactly the opposite, “You are valuable.” It is what Archbishop Romero said; he witnessed by his life. Why does a priest from Kerala dare to live like Romero? What makes a history maker?

For me, St.Romero is a shining example of Church’s option for the poor. In his life and work, we see an outstanding model of someone who imitates Christ to the point of giving up his life. Jesus was anointed with the Spirit to have a special love for the poor and the marginalized (Lk. 4,18). He came to seek the lost and the ostracized (Lk. 19,10). Life is in Central Africa is very different from that of India. One is confronted with many challenges, like poverty on utter lack of basic human facilities, recurring challenge of Malaria and other sick illnesses, security issues etc. It is a challenge to live here; that makes our missionary life here meaningful.

You are a Fransalian missionary from the Syro-Malabar church in Kerala, how did your faith at home prepare you for the challenge of a life like that of Romero?

Ever since I entered a missionary Congregation ( MSFS), I had a strong desire to go to the missions far away from home, at least for a period of time. I had direct exposure to missions in Karnataka during my regency and after my priestly ordination. During my school years, I was also the president of the Mission League in my parish. One of the most important factors that shaped my faith was the family prayers as well as the lived-out faith example of our parents. We should be grateful to the Syro-Malabar church for this vibrant traditions and practices that keep our faith alive and active. Not to mention, the many years of Sunday-School system, which I disliked when I was young (because it took away our only free day during the school year), but when I look back, I see it laid a solid foundation for my faith.

From your experience, what ails many African countries and Chad?

There are numerous causes: political, economical, social and religious. Many African countries are not politically stable. Some countries still try to exploit these countries politically and economically. In many parts of Central Africa, tribal practices are very deep-rooted and many of them are retrograde and inhuman. These things have to change and I believe education is the best means to bring about social change in such a context. There is also wide-spread corruption, illiteracy, pagan practices, nepotism, etc. Which hold back development and growth. Some countries – for example, Chad – are very hostile and inhabitable due to climatic situations. The threat of Islamic terrorism and the farmer-shepherd conflicts are also very frequent in the in this region.

How is religious amity and tolerance between communities? How is the Austrian mission helping the people?

Generally, people live in peace these areas (Chad and Cameroon) but there are also frequent conflicts in the norther parts of these countries due to the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic fringe groups. And as I mentioned, there is a constant conflict between the farmers and the shepherds in these areas. The majority of the farmers are Christians and the shepherds are Muslims and as a result, this conflict often takes a religious dimension.
I have studied and worked in Austria and have a network of friends and supporters in Europe. I have also founded an NGO called Agape Austria to help with the missions. Moreover, we have partnership with some ecclesiastical associations and parishes in Europe who try to support our missions in Central Africa.

• As far as I know, you have taken a doctorate in theology and you opted for social work. How is social involvement as well theological?

My doctorate was in Practical Theology with a specialization in Pastoral Counselling. This training helps me wherever I am and in whatever field I work because you have to deal with human beings wherever you are. My main assignment in the Mission is to be the Rector of the theology students (Scholasticate) of our Mission. So I am pastorally, theologically and socially involved.

• How is the church in Chad, and how do you compare it with Austria and your mother church in Kerala?

The Church in Chad is very young but very dynamic. The Church keeps growing every year. They are still deep rooted in their tribal and traditional practices, and they still need time to grow in Catholic traditions and practices. We need to have a lot of patience to work with them. The Church in Austria is old and becomes smaller year by year. But the Church in Austria is still a very socially and caritatively engaged. The faithful are looking for new orientations. Many are Catholic only in name but I have also found the most ardent Catholics there, even though they are few in number. I have been away from my mother Church more than three decades. We should be careful that what happened to the Western Church does not happen to us. We should learn from history!