Bishop Barthol Barretto, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, in this interview with Janina Gomes, speaks to us about the work of the Small Christian Communities, Clusters and Small Human Communities in the Archdiocese as they strive to fulfil the mandate ‘No one in want’.
- How long does your association with SCC’s go back ?
I have been the bishop in charge of SCCs in the Archdiocese of Bombay since June 2017.
My interest in SCCs began in 1984 when, as a seminarian, I was part of the team of seminarians in a pioneering project at St Thomas Church, Goregaon (East) under the guidance of our Rector, (then) Fr Bosco Penha. In the course of my visits in Shreyas Colony, Goregaon (East), I experienced how the people reached out to those in need. For example, when a family could not meet the tuition fees of their children, a volunteer came forward from the community to teach the children free of cost. I understood that what we celebrate at the altar in the Church must be translated into our SCCs. This has led me to develop an intense love for the SCCs.
- How has the presence of SCC’s grown in the Archdiocese of Bombay?
Over the past seven years, almost 97% of our Archdiocese (leaving aside some of the parishes of Raigad Deanery in view of the lack of Catholic presence) has functional SCCs. The SCC Evaluation of 2018 expressed appreciation of SCCs and also proposed the ‘cluster methodology’ to ensure that every person is included in the community activities.
Several SCCs have worked hard to ensure that there is “no one in want” (the Archdiocesan SCC Vision statement). The vision has driven our Animators to reach out to others during the COVID pandemic, World Day of the Poor, Grandparents’ Day and Christmas and Easter seasons.
Bishop Barthol Barretto
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