CUTTACK, India – The tribal families of Dalits (the 'untouchables') in Orissa are subjected to constant harassment and oppression, based solely on caste discrimination. These dalits, deprived of land, ownership and all rights, are often helped by Christian groups and the Catholic Church that have not only their welfare at heart but also their dignity. This is why these people often seek to know and embrace the Christian faith. But in Orissa, there continue to be cases of blatant violation of Dalits' rights. 

The closeness of the Catholic Church to the poor and Dalits was highlighted recently by Archbishop John Barwa, who recently took up the role of Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. The Archbishop, himself a tribal, stated his desire for 'unity in diversity and for reconciliation in Orissa,' explaining that his episcopal motto, 'Thy Kingdom come', expresses the need to proclaim and manifest the Kingdom of God on earth.