For the first time, a Dalit is named cardinal in India

“In a particular way, I think it may be a situation where the Pope expects me to solve the problems of the marginalized and perhaps also of the Dalits. »

In a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Pope Francis will create on Saturday 20 new cardinals from all continents. Among them, Archbishop Anthony Poola of Hyderabad in India, will be the first Dalit appointed bishop in history.

Speaking during an interview at Vatican News, the one who receives this appointment as a "grace of God" says he wants to "help as many poor children as possible" and solve "the problems of the marginalized and perhaps also of the Dalits".

Bishop Anthony Poola sees in this appointment the Pope's “outstretched hand” “towards the periphery, the poorest of the poor”.

“In a particular way, I think this is perhaps a situation where the Pope expects me to solve the problems of the marginalized and perhaps also of the Dalits. »

Because if the caste system is officially abolished in India, the future cardinal believes “in the reality on the ground, there are some differences”.

As a child, he was supported in the pursuit of his studies by missionaries. Today, he says his “intention was to help as many poor children as possible”.

At 16 p.m. Saturday, Bishop Anthony Poola will be named cardinal alongside 19 others.

MC

Picture : Liturgy TV, CC BY 3.0