Kolkata Bound!
Posted Tuesday 1 February 2011
Canons Val Nellist and Dom Ind at the Arunima Hospice for children and adults suffering from HIV-related illnesses.
Preparations are in earnest for the second trip to Kolkata and the Diocese of Calcutta. On Tuesday 15th February, Bishop David, Andrew Pont and Canon Bob Harley set out to develop the links that Canons Val Nellist and Dom Ind made during their trip in November 2010. For 5 days they will be the guests of the Bishop of Calcutta exploring how a link between the two Dioceses can be spiritually beneficial.
Judging by Dom and Val’s experience, they will be made extremely welcome. Dom and Val visited a hospice providing treatment, counselling and support for people living with HIV/Aids, and various schools and colleges as well as participating in services and meeting many of the clergy. As Canon Dom writes, ‘We were genuinely impressed with the quality of the presbyters in the Diocese. What struck us was the level of honesty – punches weren’t pulled when it came to talking about themselves, their congregations and life in Kolkata. As a group I warmed to them, with a great mixture of traditions yet with more than a touch of Anglican ethos for us to relate to…
The amount of projects going on in the Diocese is seriously impressive. When it comes to social action, particularly to do with education and health, the Church is still an important player, filling the gaps the Government doesn’t cover. All sorts of possibilities here to be involved in, social projects and various schools to link with….. Another positive factor for a link in that part of the world is that people have connections with family who have served in India. Kolkata was the capital of the British Indian Empire, so it’s no great surprise that you meet people around the Diocese with family links to Kolkata. In Bridge of Allan, there are people who were born in Kolkata, spent their childhood there etc. This also makes a strong starting point for such a link.”
For information: Opened in 2004, the Arunima Hospice is a diocesan project. Its aim is to provide care and support for adults and children suffering from HIV-related illnesses, but also to overcome the stigma faced by this vulnerable group. The project also includes a day care centre for people living with HIV, providing counselling and links to government services where they can receive Anti-Retroviral Therapy.
