New Delhi: Fr. Vijay Kumar Nayak CM has taken charge as the Secretary to the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Schedule Caste and Backward Caste. He succeeds Fr. Devasagayaraj who held this position for seven years.
In his outgoing message, Fr. Devasagayaraj said, “I take this occasion to thank the President of CBCI H. E. Cardinal Oswald Gracias and the former President H. E. Cardinal Cleemis for their sincere interest in the cause of the Dalits. I thank the office bearers of CBCI for their ardent support for the cause of the Dalits. I thank the chairperson of CBCI Office for SC/BC Most Rev. Sarat Chandra Nayak, the former Chairperson Most Rev. Neethinathan and the member bishops for their leadership, and guidance. I thank all the Bishops in India for their support, prayers and blessings for me as the secretary to the CBCI Office for SC/BC.”
He also thanked Bishop Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas and his team, residents at CBCI Centre, and all the staff, for making the centre a good atmosphere to stay and work. “Thanks to Sr. Robancy, the Program coordinator for her dedicated service for the past five years. My sincere thanks to Most Rev. Anil Couto, the local ordinary and the Archdiocese of Delhi for their support in Delhi. I thank all the Regional and diocesan secretaries, coordinators, all the Faith based and Civil Society Organisations for their collaboration and network,” he said.
Fr. Vijay Kumar Nayak was till recently the Odisha Regional SC/ST commission secretary and the former provincial of the Congregation for Missions (CM) (Vincentians). Fr. Devasagayaraj also thanked Archbishop Most Rev. Anandarayar for granting him permission to work at CBCI.
He will take charge of Our Lady of Perianayagi Shrine (Santa Maria Maggiore) Konankuppam on Hune 10. The shrine was built by Fr. Constanzo Beschi an Italian Missionary in 17th century in Pondicherry diocese.