Fr. Desmond Daniels (Fr. Desy), addresses Serrans at the Foundation convention luncheon on August 9. He was speaking on behalf of Bishop Neethi of the Diocese of Chingleput in India to express appreciation for the Serra International Foundation’s grant awarded to the seminary of Chingleput Diocese, where seminarians from the Dalit community receive formation.
Historically, Indian Hindu society has been stratified into a number of layers with different job opportunities and paths to success; but Dalits (“untouchables”) are designated to be the lowest layer, restricted to the most menial and undesirable jobs. Since they belong to this social group by birth, they are excluded from any possibility of improving their social condition by education or hard work.
Because of the entrenched mindset, this marginalization has continued in spite of Dalits converting to Catholicism.
“This plight gives a particular urgency to address the financial barriers to increasing their successful pursuit of vocations,” said Fr Desy.
Though many seminarians are answering the call to the priesthood, the funds to educate them are lacking. The foundation grant provided supplemental funding for the basic needs of the 44 seminarians now in formation.
Fr. Desy is an extern priest in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 2022, where he served in parish ministry and currently with the Catholic Chaplain Corps. While serving in the hospital ministry full time, Fr. Desy is also the chaplain for the Serra Club of Southwest Houston.
