By Verghese V Joseph –
In another very meaningful and significant gesture during the COVID-19 lockdown period, the Ranchi Archdiocese reached out to more than 170 families of freedom fighters in two villages of the Ranchi district.
Most Reverend Felix Toppo, The Archbishop of Ranchi and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas the Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi led the Archdiocesan priests and seminarians along with the Ranchi Catholic youth into two villages of Kandri Mandar where they met with 65 families of freedom fighters and Kakhsi Toli in Bero Block where they visited another 107 families.
Many of these families have been facing difficulties because of the lockdown and their normal activity being hindered. In both places they distributed food rations to the families with food packets containing rice, lentils, grams, salt, soyabeans, two types of spices and oil. They also distributed basic PPE kits to the family members.
Archbishop Felix Toppo reminded that, ”We are children of one God and our humanitarian religion teaches us to love each other and help people who are in need in times of crisis.” Padma Shree Simon Oroan who hails from and heads the Khaksi toli village said that the farmers of the village are very upset and worried because they were not getting a proper price for their farm produce.
Therefore, the Church deserves praise for coming forward to help these needy people. Bishop Theodore said that the Church always kept foremost in its mind the good of the nation. “It could therefore not forget those whose ancestors have contributed significantly to the fight for independence of the country. In this time of need keeping in mind our love for the nation, it is our duty to help them,” he added.
The Church also distributed food packets to 55 needy families in Jam Toli in Bedo Block, to 178 needy families in Loyo, 70 needy families in Budha Khukra and 55 families in Kanjya Mara toli in Mandar Block.