Bandel Church Prior appeals for peace, harmony

Delivering his Easter message, the prior said, “Forgiveness and tolerance towards others as the practical way of loving and living in peace and harmony with each others. Whatever be our religion or culture forgiveness is the only path for peaceful co-existence.”

The Marian Shrine at Bandel, 60-km from Kolkata in Hooghly district of West Bengal, was established by Portuguese missionaries in 1599 on the banks of the Hooghly River.

The 63-year-old prior spoke to pilgrims to the shrine as the Church began the Holy Week when Christians commemorate events related the last days of Jesus Christ.

The priest’s Good Friday and Easter messages came in the backdrop of recent incidents of religious intolerance from some parts of the country.

The prior’s message was in sync with that of Pope Francis’ words: “Forgiveness and tolerance can be achieved only by works of peace.”

A significant visual treat awaits visitors to the Shrine since Good Friday which includes a 10-feet high and seven-feet wide mural of “Resurrected Christ” on the left side of the isle near the altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“The mural is a unique piece of art executed in bronze finish and the only-of-its-kind installed in entire eastern India,” said Subrata Ganguly, whose firm Church Art has recently created may art work for the Shrine including a Stations of the Cross.

Church Art’s earlier artistic installations in Bandel Church include bronze finish church doors with liturgical symbols and figurines; open air Stations of the Cross with 54 life-size statues; relief work; musical fountain and others.

Thousands of visitors throng the Bandel Church during Easter and Christmas.