Apart form that, Catholic beliefs and practices like praying for the dead also drew tribal peoples to the faith in the region, where Christianity has grown phenomenally since the past century.
Speaking at the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) charity, Thomas Manjaly of Shiolong Diocese revealed how Catholic beliefs such as prayer for the dead have proved attractive to members of the old tribal religions.
Manjaly said that the tribals' fundamental belief include a god who created everything… so they find Christianity closer to their beliefs and traditions.
“They do not believe in reincarnation and think that when you die you go to God.â€
He explained how the practice of praying for the dead was part of a long established practice among many of the tribes. “They have prayers for the dead person, who have been handed down orally from one person to another,†said Manjaly “So our liturgy for the dead is very attractive to them,†he added.
Similarly tribal people have a system of sacrifice - although it does not involve the slaughter of animals - so they understand the Catholic idea of the Eucharistic sacrifice. “After harvest they offer the first fruits as a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and when the first rains come they also offer seeds for a good harvest, “ the preacher said.
In three states of North East India - Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram - Christians are in the majority. In Nagaland Christians make up 90 percent of the population, although Presbyterians and Baptists are more numerous than Catholics.
Catholic missionaries have been active in the NE India for more than 120 years. Salvatorians from Germany first came in 1890, but left when World War I started, after that the Salesians came. The first diocese to be set up was Shiolong in 1934. (eom)
Aid to the Church in Need
Phenomenal growth of Christianity in North-East India
Socio-economic work, theology, religious practices and beliefs are major reasons
C K Nayak - 23-05-2009 10:30 GMT-0000
New Delhi: Most believe that taking up socio-economic work especially among the poor by the missionaries in olden days, when North East was virtually inaccessible, attracted the tribals to Christianity. However, it is not the only reason. Theological beliefs among tribals played a major role in this regard.