Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Miao (Agenzia Fides) – Thanks to the “Padre Pio Missionary in the World” project, in a remote area in northeastern India, devotion to Padre Pio has begun to spread. So much so, says Salesian Bishop George Pallipparambil of the Diocese of Miao (in the state of Arunachal Pradesh), that families have begun naming their children “Pio” or “Pia.”
In the town of Laonu (Diocese of Miao), there was recently celebrations for the Confirmation of nearly 85 youth and the Baptism of 7: two boys who took the name of “Pio” and three girls who took the name of “Pia.”
“The Lord is doing great things in our little diocese,” the Bishop said. “Just years ago, there weren't any Catholics, just a community of Baptists. Today, Laonu has 100 Catholics and devotion to Padre Pio is growing.”
The Diocese of Miao is collaborating on a project called “Padre Pio, missionary in the world,” through which benefactors are helping to build a school, orphanage, church, and oratory named after the Saint, in the Diocese, in order to spread awareness of his spirituality and virtues. The project has already been accepted in the Dioceses of Autazes (Brazil), as well as Tura, Bongaigon, and Miao (India).
“Our work of evangelization is going well. The missionary project named after Padre Pio causes interest among the people who want to learn more about this saint. This is how we can take Christ's message to those who do not know Him,” the Bishop said.
The Diocese of Miao is located in a mountainous area inhabited by tribal peoples. Bishop George Pallipparambil, SDB has led the Diocese since 2005. It has 75,000 faithful who are extremely active in evangelization and social assistance. The Bishop told Fides that the Church is “extremely dedicated to education and social development, building seminaries, schools, clinics, hospitals, etc. in order to meet the needs of the population.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/2/2009)
