Once again keeping with the tradition he started last year after becoming the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shri Hemant Soren visited Archbishop House Ranchi on Christmas greet Archbishop Felix Toppo SJ and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas SFX on the occasion of the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He was received at the entrance of the Campus with the traditional Adivasi custom of washing of hands and sprinkling of water with a mango twig by Women serving in Archbishop House. Archbishop Felix placed a shawl over his shoulders as a sign of warmth and affection and Bishop Theodore presented him with an Avocado sapling, a rare plant but which grows very well in Jharkhand if planted.
Among the touching scenes was the cutting of the cake with the two Ecclesiastical dignitaries and Hemant himself feeding the two a piece of cake as well as being fed a piece of cake by them. It was also a poignant moment when the Chief Minister who is not a Christian picked up the Child Jesus from the crib and held him in his arms.
Later on he spent nearly an hour with Archbishop Felix and Bishop Theodore wherein he outlined his plans for the State. He thanked the Church in Ranchi for its yeomen service during the COVID lockdown and throughout the year. He outlined his plans for the poor, for the jobless, in the field of education and in bringing up the girl child.
The Bishops put forth the challenges that they were facing. He assured the Christian Community of all his support in whatever they undertake and promised to solve at the earliest some of the irritants that exist specially in regard to the rights of minority schools and appointments of teachers that have been blocked throughout the tenure of the previous government. He explained that it was impossible to think of education in this State without the contribution of the Christian Community. The Bishops thanked the Chief Minister for his wonderful service during the Covid Pandemic crisis.
The Bishops also praised him for his inclusive governance and for his efforts in taking everyone with him. They assured him of their prayers in the difficult and challenging task that lies ahead of him.