Odisha: Church caught in dispute reopens after 22 years

A Catholic parish was reopened for the public after 22 years in the eastern Indian state of Odisha with the help of the civil authorities.
The Chandiput parish of the diocese of Berhampur was closed after a priest refused to accept his transfer and stayed on defying the local bishop.
On February 2, the parish celebrated its feast with its parishioners.
“It was a moment of great joy to celebrate Mass in the church after nine years,” Fr Kabiraj Bastaray, the current parish priest, told on February 3.
He was appointed the Chandiput parish priest in 2013, but could not enter the church or presbytery as its former priest Joseph Pani refused to vacate the place.
“I have been staying in a house offered by the villagers and offering Mass in an open space or in a convent,” he explained.