Srikakulam – In recognition of the Church’s commitment to unity, peace, and mutual understanding among Christian denominations, the Catholic community in the Diocese of Srikakulam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity , inviting believers of all Christian denominations in the region to participate in liturgical celebrations, moments of reflection, and encounter. At an ecumenical gathering held yesterday, January 20, the Bishop of Srikakulam, Msgr. Vijaya Kumar Rayarala, PIME, in his address to over 200 faithful, emphasized the growing importance of ecumenical engagement in the current ecclesiastical and social context. He called upon the faithful to “build bridges of harmony and cooperation among Christians, especially in light of the challenges facing faith communities in India today.”
Particular attention was paid to the conciliar document “Nostra Aetate,” which promotes dialogue, respect, and peaceful coexistence. The document was presented as especially relevant for addressing current problems that often lead to Indian Christians being divided by misunderstandings and a lack of unity, even on fundamental issues affecting them all, such as their relationship with state institutions or the violence they face in society. Father John Singarayar, SVD, a Divine Word Missionary, anthropologist, and sociologist, emphasizes: “The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity now seems particularly urgent in a country with over 1.3 billion inhabitants, where Christians constitute a vibrant minority navigating between rich diversity and a real division.”
“This year’s theme, which comes from Ephesians 4:4,” the priest continued, “speaks directly to the heart: ‘There is one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call.’ The words of Saint Paul remind us that unity is not achieved through strategies or negotiations: it is a gift rooted in the Spirit, who breathes life into the Church. And yet it is also a call that demands something of us: the willingness to forgive and the courage to move forward together when differences become great.”
“For Indian Christians,” the Divine Word Missionary said, “this message has a special meaning. Our communities perform a common service by feeding the hungry, teaching children, caring for the sick, and advocating for the marginalized in villages and cities. Yet, we are often separated by barriers of history, liturgy, and culture. From the Syrian Christians in Kerala, whose roots stretch back to the first century, to the members of Pentecostal churches who practice fervent worship, to the Catholics who focus on the depth of the sacraments, our expressions of faith differ considerably. These differences are real, but they are valuable.”
“The Week of Prayer does not call on us to abandon what makes each tradition unique. It calls on us to look beyond old wounds and mistrust and to support one another like a family,” he explained. And in the prayers spoken in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and other languages of the subcontinent, it becomes clear that “the call to unity reaches the faithful in their mother tongues. These moments strengthen trust and remind us that our common baptism is deeper than any division.” “The unity of Christians is a quiet but powerful witness,” affirms Father John Singarayar. “Amidst growing tensions, including reports of attacks on churches in various states and conflicts that test India’s constitutional mandate of equality, the faithful who pray together affirm that faith flourishes in dialogue and fraternity. And when pastors of different denominations preach together from the pulpit, they are a model of reconciliation for young people who wonder whether the Gospel still speaks in a fragmented nation and world.” Christians in India, with approximately 28 million believers out of a total population of 1.3 billion, constitute a minority . Their roots trace back to the arrival of the Apostle Thomas in 52 AD. Various Christian denominations coexist in India today, each with its own distinct rite. Catholics in India are divided into three rites: Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara.
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