ArchbishopToppo

Ranchi, Oct. 20: A mammoth candle, double the length of a tube light, has been lit at the Archbishop House on the eve of Cardinal-designate Archbishop Telesphore Placidus Toppo’s investiture ceremony in Rome tomorrow.

Church sources said the giant candle would shine till October 25, when Toppo returns after being made a cardinal. The officials said Christians traditionally light candles to mark any auspicious occasion.

Sources said the candle, lit up at the entrance of Archbishop House on Purulia Road in front of a statue of Mother Teresa was a mark of honour to both.

Archbishop Toppo attributes the marvel to “the will of God”.

“Years ago,” he recalled, “my application for three months’ leave for a study tour to the US was turned down by the then Archbishop. I was a Bishop at Dumka in Santhal Parganas. I wanted to visit the US and work there. I had drawn up a three-month tour schedule, which included two months of work at parishes in rural and urban areas for which I was to be paid by the parishes. The pay would have covered all my expenses — air fare and incidentals including a one month’s tour of the country. However, the Archbishop granted me only a month’s leave, which I rejected.”

It is the will of God now, just like it was then, that Toppo has visited almost every part of the world, except for China, Russia and the US. Toppo was also one of the fortunate few to visit the holy city of Jerusalem. Toppo’s visit to the Rome, for his investiture, would be his fourth — an opportunity very few Bishops in Asia have got.

According to Toppo, God’s will has always been with him. Born in a family of 10 children, Toppo was the eighth son after three daughters. Tribals believe that a son born after three daughters is destined to be a king and a daughter born after three sons will be a queen. Toppo’s elevation seems to have proved the prophecy true.

Toppo lost his father when he was in Class VI. He had to work as a daily wage labourer in his own school in Chainpur in Gumla district. His mother Sophia did odd jobs to run the family and save enough for her son’s education.

Toppo took up the job of digging a well at his school. When he finished, he approached the principal, Father Leo Dayagarh, a Belgian priest, and requested him for his wages. The old priest was pleased by Toppo’s hard work and after handing over his wages, he said he would be make a good priest. His words played an important role in shaping Toppo’s destiny.

Again it was God’s will that guided Toppo on the path he had chosen. After his graduation, Toppo’s mother began to look for a bride for her son. However, Toppo expressed his wish to become a priest. No one objected to his decision.
After that there was no looking back. In 1965, after his graduation (in history) from St Xavier’s College, Ranchi, he was sent by the Church to Rome for a four-year course in theology.

He returned to Ranchi on May 3, 1969 and joined St Joseph’s School, Torpa, in Ranchi district as assistant headmaster.

He soon became the principal. Toppo has been an active sportsman — football, hockey and volleyball are his favourites.

He has captained various church teams. After nine at the Torpa school, Toppo was ordained as Bishop of Dumka on June 8, 1978. In seven years’ time, Toppo was elevated as the Archbishop of Ranchi on August 25, 1985.

“My mother was not keeping well when I left for Rome in 1965, I fervently prayed to the Holy Father to look after my mother till I returned. After completing nearly three-and-half years in Rome, I was informed one day that I had received a letter.My mother was illiterate and hence I was not used to receiving letters from her. My apprehensions came true when I read the letter — it carried the news of my elder sister’s death. I wept for several hours. The Lord had taken away my sister, but He kept my request to look after my mother,” he said.

The tragedy made realise that he was the ultimate master of our destinies.