A priest has stepped up to help develop socially ostracized Catholics in various parishes of northwestern Dinajpur diocese. Father Anthony Sen, parish priest in Thakurgaon parish, organized the first ever development workshop for Catholics who long ago embraced Christianity from the Hindu caste Kshatriya (warrior) on June 17. Some 110 Kshatriya Catholics along with four priests and some catechists from six parishes of the diocese attended the day long workshop. The workshop dealt with some of the social problems they face including low literacy, social ostracism, superstitions, mixed marriage, dowry system, lack of leadership, and poor catechism.

1. Priest help ‘warrior’ Catholics www.ucanews.com

2. People from other religious communities bar them from attending social events and swear at them. A priest has stepped up to help develop socially ostracized Catholics in various parishes of northwesternDinajpur diocese. Father Anthony Sen, parish priest in Thakurgaon parish, organized the first ever development workshop for Catholics who long ago embraced Christianity from the Hindu caste Kshatriya (warrior) on June 17.

3. Some 110 Kshatriya Catholics along with four priests and some catechists from six parishes of the diocese attended the day long workshop. The workshop dealt with some of the social problems they face including low literacy, social ostracism, superstitions, mixed marriage, dowry system, lack of leadership, and poor catechism.

4. “We live in an area where Christians are few in number, so we’re often pressed by people from other religious communities. They bar us from attending social events and also swear at us,” said Nanda Mohon, 75, a Catholic farmer.

5. Catechist SantoshBarmon, 40, himself a Kshatriya, said that with help from Church his fellow men are trying to improve, especially in terms of education. “Nowadays their children go to school and if necessary they find lodgings at Church-run hostels where they get education essentials. We’re also working to stop the dowry system that forces them to sell their lands which is only source of living for them,” he added.

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