New Delhi (AsiaNews/UCAN) – Believers of other faiths approaching the Catholic Church, those who distanced themselves from Catholicism rediscovering their beliefs, wider and improved awareness about Catholicism among people adhering to other religions: such are the goals realised by the celebration of the Year of the Eucharist in the diocese of Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh state in central India).

Ujjain, a place sacred to Hindus, is situated 775km south of New Delhi. The diocese marked the Eucharistic year with programmes emphasising friendship and evangelisation. The activity to close the year is an inter-religious meeting. The diocese, said Ujjain bishop Sebastian Vadakel "wanted to tell the people from other religions that Christ died not only for Christians, but for all."

The diocese is predominantly Hindu. Less than 5,000 of the four million residents are Catholic; there are 40 missions and parishes spread across three districts. Throughout the year, the diocese organized special programmes every Wednesday and Friday, other than Sunday celebrations. Each parish invited Hindus to join the programmes, including Eucharistic celebrations.

Bishop Vadakel said the programmes had a positive impact on people of other religions. Many attended although they had thought they would be banned from the Eucharistic celebrations. In villages, people of other religions also turned up for prayers, the bishop said.

Pratap Singh Gohar was born a Hindu, but after taking part in prayers for the Year of the Eucharist, he decided to convert to Christianity together with his wife and their three children. "I felt very happy and uplifted after participating in church prayers throughout the year," he said. Initially, Gohar's family came out of curiosity. He said he liked the prayers "so much" that he now wants to become a Christian.

When asked why his family needs to change its religion, since they can attend Christian prayers while remaining Hindus, his wife Kala Bai said: "There is no untouchability in the Church". Bai was referring to the caste system practiced in India, in which people outside the four acceptable castes are considered unclean and untouchable. Although prohibited by law, untouchability is practiced subtly in villages.

Gohar admitted caste practices disturb him. "There is so much discrimination in Hindu society, which I do not find in Christianity," he said. Rather, the Christians treated everyone "like members of one family."

His wife added that they have experienced peace and harmony in the family "more than ever," and that their financial situation stabilized after her husband began to get regular work. She attributed all this to the Church prayer programmes she attended.

Another person who benefited from the year of prayer was Xavier Albert Naidu, 35 years, a Catholic who had distanced himself from the Church 13 years ago, when his son was not enrolled in a Christian school. But now, he says he "will no longer leave the faith" and adds that he has "no grudge" against anyone, because he is in the Church "not for any material gains." He prays for a sweeping change in his life, which he describes as a living hell in the time when he left his faith. In the meantime, his family situation has improved because he started to work regularly.

Other Catholics, like Manju Ekka and Filmon Kujur, say their family ties and personal relations have bettered since they attended the prayer programmes. In addition to the prayers and other religious services that ran over 12 months, the diocese also conducted 10 interreligious programmes to promote communal harmony, fraternity and peace.

The Church also provided voluntary health services during the biggest Hindu festival, the Kumbh Mela, in Ujjain in 2004. The festival takes place in the town every 12 years. Several Hindu organizations and the state administration lauded the Church service.

Mahant Rameshwardas, a prominent Hindu leader, said that according to an ancient Indian belief, the world will become "as one family will come true only when there is proper understanding and respect for religions."

The nuncio, Mgr Lopez Quintana said "understanding a religion is a must to respect it". The Vatican representative urged those present at the inter-religious meeting to forget the unhappy past, when people fought in the name of religions. He called for active collaboration among people of various religions. Bishop Vadakel reiterated that the Eucharist "is for all," and that the diocese would continue to interact with people from other religions to spread Christ's message of love and sacrifice.