KOHIMA — As Bishop Benny Varghese Edathattel departs Nagaland to assume his new position as Bishop of Arunachal Pradesh, he imparted some final words of encouragement to the people he served for almost four decades.
In a conversation with Eastern Mirror and as a parting message to the people of Nagaland, Varghese encouraged them to uphold their values of honesty, respect for elders, respect for women, and a willingness to reach out to others.
In describing Nagaland's religious and cultural landscape, he emphasised the region's unique qualities, describing it as a place of wonderful people who are deeply religious, simple in their belief systems, and respectful of their faith.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]The people of Nagaland, he noted, are dependable and trustworthy when their trust is reciprocated, and he was also appreciative of the faith and values of the people he served during his time in Nagaland.
His journey: Past and future
Bishop Varghese was born and raised in Kerala in a devout Catholic family.
According to him, his desire to serve as a priest brought him to Nagaland in 1986, and after years of rigorous priestly formation, he was ordained as a priest in 1998 and went on to serve in various parts of the state.
Varghese's transition to his new role as Bishop of Arunachal Pradesh presents unique challenges, including adjusting to the geography, demography, customs, and languages of Arunachal Pradesh.
The bishop acknowledged the various perspectives on God, the world, and oneself that exist among different faiths, and he intends to seek common ground for collaboration.
While Bishop Varghese admitted to having initial fears and doubts about the transition, he remained committed to a lifelong decision made during his priesthood journey. This decision was to never request or reject a transfer when one was offered.
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