Meeting with The Revd Fr. AXJ Bosco S J.
17 February 2025: It was a privilege to meet with The Rev Fr. AXJ Bosco, a close friend and a senior priest from the Jesuit Fathers in the Catholic Church. From the inception of NCC he had been a Patron giving valuable advices and spoke in our National Executive Committee Meetings.
Father Bosco served as the State Head of Loyola Institutions in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh. He has been a constant source of encouragement, especially in community causes, inspiring many across the Telugu States and beyond. Over the years, we have participated together in numerous conferences and activities. He has always been a pillar of support, motivating and encouraging me in our shared mission.
During our recent meeting, we briefly revisited the various activities we have undertaken together and thanked the Lord for guiding us through them. When Archbishop Marampudi Joji served in Hyderabad, Fr. Bosco played a crucial role in bringing His Grace to several meetings focused on Ecumenical unity that we conducted. He actively contributed to gatherings organized for Christian causes and the upliftment of Dalits, demonstrating his commitment to justice and unity.
One of the significant moments we shared was attending the United Nations Conference on Racism and Other Forms of Intolerance in Durban, South Africa. We spent about ten days together, engaging in discussions and advocating for equal rights. Additionally, Father Bosco and I travelled to the United Kingdom, where we spoke at various Christian Rights conferences, addressing critical issues affecting the community.
As part of our efforts to empower the community politically, we proposed around 34 names for consideration by various national parties in Delhi. During this time, Father Bosco stayed with me, providing spiritual guidance to the candidates. He also conducted Sunday Mass for the aspirants and their families, ensuring that faith remained central to their journey and to see that their mission even with political power is to never forget to serve as Jesus served.
To further raise awareness about political participation, we travelled to several constituencies, emphasizing the importance of unity and the effective utilization of voting rights. We have also been involved in numerous meetings, including those of the State Fellowship of Bishops Council, the Christian Council, and other key forums dedicated to the welfare of the Christian community.
The Need for a Positive Mindset
During our discussion, we reflected on the urgent need to instil positive thinking among Dalits and encourage them in their growth and empowerment. Father Bosco shared an eye-opening experience where a group of Dalit students was asked to list qualities they associated with their community. To their surprise, 39 out of 40 traits were negative, with "hard work" being the only positive characteristic identified. This incident underscores the importance of shaping a positive mindset, breaking stereotypes, and fostering a spirit of progress and self-confidence within the community.
Way Forward – Strengthening the Vision of Service
We also discussed the significance of Ecumenical unity and explored ways to advance the vision of "United to Serve" through the National Christian Council and to bring blessings to the society. As an NCC Patron, Father Bosco has assured to communicate with key leaders and encourage them to associate with this mission actively. His guidance and involvement will help build stronger networks and ensure that the spirit of service continues to grow within our communities.
As we wrapped up our conversation, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the many long discussions we have had at my home over lengthy sittings. Those were truly enriching and inspiring moments, filled with deep reflections, action plans and shared aspirations besides wonderful fellowship. Meeting Father Bosco again was a refreshing and uplifting experience, allowing us to cherish past memories and plan for the future. With his support and leadership, we look forward to taking concrete steps toward unity, empowerment, and meaningful service.
