Sevrin Oscar

Oscar Sevrin (November 22nd 1884, Neuville- Wanne, the Ardennes, Belgium - April 30th 1975, Kunkuri. Chhattisgarh, India) was a Belgian priest Jésuite, missionary in India and bishop, successively, of Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Raigarh-Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh).

Youth and formation

Its first years of training occurred to Belgium: noviciate with Arlon (1903-05) and Philosophy with Leuwen (1906-08). With ten of other young Jesuits it left then to India. he taught in Rengarih and Ranchi, two centers important of the Jharkhand (1911-16); there were his first contacts with the world of the indigenous of the Chota Nâgpur. Sevrin finished its sacerdotal formation with the théologat of Kurseong (Darjeeling) where it was ordered priest on July 1st 1919.

Bishop of Ranchi

Sevrin seemed party for a career in education, as professor with the college Saint Jean Berchmans de Ranchi (1921-31) and then inspector diocesan of the schools of 1923 to 1934, when it was named, with surprised of much, bishop of Ranchi (April 9th 1934). It made much for the development of education among the tribal people of the area, the Mundas, Ouraons, Kharias. In addition to the Hindi magazine Nishkalanka which it popularized, it composed of the Catéchisme S and other basic work ( Bible ka Itihas ) to support the faith of the many new Christians of its diocese.

Bishop of Raigarh-Ambikapur

In 1951 Sevrin created the surprise. At the 67 years age it renonçait with its diocese of Ranchi for two reasons. Initially it estimated that there was a qualified man who could take his succession. It will be Nicolas Kujur, a priest Ouraon. Then it wished to found the Church in a close area where the work conditions - great hostility with respect to the Christianisme - were difficult. Its new diocese of Raigarh - Ambikapur, with the Chhattisgarh, was formed old small princely states which, as long as they were independent (English colonial period) had been opposed to the presence of missionaries. The year Elimination of illiteracy and the exploitation of native-born people were large there. Become bishop of this area, Sevrin settled in a simple parish (Ginabahar) and was put at the task: education, economic development and social going hand in hand with the evangelization. Its success among the aboriginals created enemies to him and it had to face many lawsuits badly intentioneds. But in addition it acquired a great prestige among the indigenous people of the area. In 1957, for the second time, it decided to pass the hand. Sevrin resigned of its load and an indigenous successor replaced it as bishop with Raigarh-Ambikapur: Stanislaus Tigga.

Always in continuous Sevrin good health with being active as spiritual director and professor of religion to the college of Kunkuri. He died at the 91 years age.

References

THOMAS, A.P.: Bishop Sevrin, Great Benefactor off the Tribals , Allahabad, 1963.
MATHIJS, F.: In Good shepherd, in Jesuit profile , Anand, 1991, pp. 361-364.

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