Indian priests to carry out missionary work in diocese

Father Justin Isaac, a member of the Order of the Heralds of the Good News, has taken up residence at Holy Family Church in Mossend while awaiting an official appointment in the diocese.

Two of his brother priests from the order are set to arrive in the near future to join him in his missionary work.

Along with his fellow missionaries, Father Justin, who was ordained in 2002, is expected to stay in the diocese for between six and 10 years.

The order to which the three priests belong was founded in India in 1984 with the mission of meeting the urgent need for priests in traditionally Christian countries.

From its humble beginnings in a thatched shed in Eluru Diocese, today it can boast several minor seminaries and two major seminaries preparing young men for the priesthood.

Hundreds of priests now serve the order throughout India and across the world, helping to meet the need first identified by its founder, Father Jose Kaimlett.

The Heralds of the Good News was given Papal approval by Pope John Paul II in 1999.

The order continued to grow and today operates a number of schools and welfare projects, including caring for the sick and elderly, and ensuring safe drinking water in vulnerable villages.