Oscar Sevrin
Encyclopedia
Oscar Sevrin was a Belgian Jesuit priest, missionary
in India and successively bishop
of Ranchi
(Jharkhand
) and Raigarh
-Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh
).
, Belgium
on 22 November 1884, Sevrin joined the Society of Jesus
in 1903 and did his novitiate
in Arlon (Belgium) After doing his philosophical studies at the Catholic University of Leuven
(1906-08) he left for India with a group of other young Jesuit missionaries. At that time, the Bengal
state (covering the entire Eastern part of British India) was a mission area entrusted to the Belgian Jesuits. While teaching in the schools of Rengarih and Ranchi
(1911-16), both important centers in the (now) Jharkhand
state (India), Sevrin had his first contacts with the aboriginal population of the Chota Nagpur plateau
. He then completed his Jesuit formation by doing theological studies in Kurseong
(Darjeeling district
) where he was ordained priest on the 1 July 1919.
in Ranchi (1921-31) and later as inspector of the Catholic missions schools in the whole area (1923-24) when, to everybody’s surprise, he was appointed bishop
of Ranchi
(9 April 1934). The diocese had been created in 1927 and Sevrin was its second bishop. Education
remained a priority and he did much to develop an educational network for the Mundas, Oraon
s and Kharia
s in the vast area covered by the diocese. He promoted also the local press by creating the Hindi language magazine called Nishkalanka and composed a little catechism
and other booklets (among them the Bible ka Itihas) in order to build up a faith culture among the many new Christians of his diocese.
priest, Nicolas Kujur, who, Sevrin felt, was quite capable of taking his place as the pastor of the diocese, and, second, he wanted to go to a neighbouring state where conditions of missionary work - because of great hostility towards Christianity - were extremely difficult. His new diocese, Raigarh-Ambikapur (newly erected), was formed of several little princely states where, as long as they were autonomous (till the independence of India in 1947), the presence of Christian missionaries was strictly prohibited. Illiteracy and the exploitation of the tribal people were rife. Sevrin, the new bishop, settled down in a small parish
(Ginabahar) and started his work: education, medical help, economic and social development were going hand in hand with evangelization
. Success got him many enemies and he had to face a number of malefide court cases. On the other hand he acquired great prestige among the aboriginal population of the area, including non-Christians. He was highly esteemed.
In 1957, for the second time, he decided to resign to allow a local man to be religious leader of his own people. Sevrin ordained bishop his own successor at Raigarh-Ambikapur: Stanislas Tigga. This did not mean retirement however. Appointed spiritual guide and professor of religion in the high school of Kunkuri he remained active till his death at the age of 91 on 30 April 1975 in Kunkuri
, Chhattisgarh
, India
.
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in India and successively bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
(Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
) and Raigarh
Raigarh
Raigarh is a city and a Municipal Corporation in Raigarh district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is the administrative headquarter of Raigarh district.-History:...
-Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a state in Central India, formed when the 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking South-Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained separate statehood on 1 November 2000....
).
Religious formation and early years in India
Born in Neuville-Wanne, ArdennesArdennes
The Ardennes is a region of extensive forests, rolling hills and ridges formed within the Givetian Ardennes mountain range, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France , and geologically into the Eifel...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
on 22 November 1884, Sevrin joined the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
in 1903 and did his novitiate
Novitiate
Novitiate, alt. noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a novice monastic or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to the religious life....
in Arlon (Belgium) After doing his philosophical studies at the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
(1906-08) he left for India with a group of other young Jesuit missionaries. At that time, the Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
state (covering the entire Eastern part of British India) was a mission area entrusted to the Belgian Jesuits. While teaching in the schools of Rengarih and Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
(1911-16), both important centers in the (now) Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
state (India), Sevrin had his first contacts with the aboriginal population of the Chota Nagpur plateau
Chota Nagpur Plateau
The Chota Nagpur Plateau is a plateau in eastern India, which covers much of Jharkhand state as well as adjacent parts of Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. The Indo-Gangetic plain lies to the north and east of the plateau, and the basin of the Mahanadi River lies to the south...
. He then completed his Jesuit formation by doing theological studies in Kurseong
Kurseong
Kurseong is a hill station situated in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India.Located at an altitude of 1458 metres , Kurseong is just 30 km from Darjeeling...
(Darjeeling district
Darjeeling district
Darjeeling District is the northernmost district of the state of West Bengal in eastern India in the foothills of the Himalayas. The district is famous for its beautiful hill stations and Darjeeling tea. Darjeeling is the district headquarters...
) where he was ordained priest on the 1 July 1919.
Bishop of Ranchi (Jharkhand)
Sevrin seemed to be embarked on an educational career, first as teacher in the St. John's High SchoolSt. John's High School, Ranchi
St. John's High School is a school in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.The school was founded in 1887 and named the following year after Saint John Berchmans, a young Belgian Jesuit who had been canonised in Rome that year. The school is situated at Purulia Road, and educates pupils from class 7 to class...
in Ranchi (1921-31) and later as inspector of the Catholic missions schools in the whole area (1923-24) when, to everybody’s surprise, he was appointed bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Ranchi
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ranchi
The Ranchi Catholic Archdiocese , with roots of activities tracing to more than 150 years, currently comprises the districts of Ranchi and Lohardaga of Jharkhand state, India...
(9 April 1934). The diocese had been created in 1927 and Sevrin was its second bishop. Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
remained a priority and he did much to develop an educational network for the Mundas, Oraon
Oraon
The Oraon उरांव or Kurukh कुड़ुख tribe , also spelled Uraon, Oran, or Oram, are tribal aborigines inhabiting various states across central and eastern India as well as Bangladesh...
s and Kharia
Kharia
The Kharia are a tribal people living in Jharkhand and Orissa states, India. In the late 20th century, the population of Kharia people were around 300,000....
s in the vast area covered by the diocese. He promoted also the local press by creating the Hindi language magazine called Nishkalanka and composed a little catechism
Catechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
and other booklets (among them the Bible ka Itihas) in order to build up a faith culture among the many new Christians of his diocese.
Bishop of Raigarh-Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh)
In 1951 something quite unusual happened: Sevrin, at the age of 67, asked Pope Pius XII the permission to be relieved from his responsibility in Ranchi. He was giving two reasons: there was a local OraonOraon
The Oraon उरांव or Kurukh कुड़ुख tribe , also spelled Uraon, Oran, or Oram, are tribal aborigines inhabiting various states across central and eastern India as well as Bangladesh...
priest, Nicolas Kujur, who, Sevrin felt, was quite capable of taking his place as the pastor of the diocese, and, second, he wanted to go to a neighbouring state where conditions of missionary work - because of great hostility towards Christianity - were extremely difficult. His new diocese, Raigarh-Ambikapur (newly erected), was formed of several little princely states where, as long as they were autonomous (till the independence of India in 1947), the presence of Christian missionaries was strictly prohibited. Illiteracy and the exploitation of the tribal people were rife. Sevrin, the new bishop, settled down in a small parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
(Ginabahar) and started his work: education, medical help, economic and social development were going hand in hand with evangelization
Evangelization
Evangelization is that process in the Christian religion which seeks to spread the Gospel and the knowledge of the Gospel throughout the world. It can be defined as so:-The birth of Christian evangelization:...
. Success got him many enemies and he had to face a number of malefide court cases. On the other hand he acquired great prestige among the aboriginal population of the area, including non-Christians. He was highly esteemed.
In 1957, for the second time, he decided to resign to allow a local man to be religious leader of his own people. Sevrin ordained bishop his own successor at Raigarh-Ambikapur: Stanislas Tigga. This did not mean retirement however. Appointed spiritual guide and professor of religion in the high school of Kunkuri he remained active till his death at the age of 91 on 30 April 1975 in Kunkuri
Kunkuri
Kunkuri is a small town in Chhatisgarh, India.It is a tahsil of Jashpur district. It has Asia's second largest Catholic church, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jashpur.-Geography:...
, Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a state in Central India, formed when the 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking South-Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained separate statehood on 1 November 2000....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.