The Vatican has declared an 18th century Indian who fought casteism a saint
Devasahayam, a Christian who converted in the 18th century in the then-Kingdom of Travancore, was today declared a saint by Pope Francis at the Vatican. Devasahayam, also known as Lazarus, is the first Indian layman to be named a saint for “enduring increasing hardships,” according to the Vatican.
He worked at Travancore Palace after being born in a Hindu upper caste family in present-day Kanyakumari. He converted to Christianity in 1745 and assumed the names Devasahayam and Lazarus. He went on to fight caste discrimination, only to be persecuted and eventually killed. After a lengthy process, the Vatican recognised his martyrdom in 2012.
After a woman in her seventh month of pregnancy testified to a “miracle” after praying to Devasahayam in 2013, he was named a saint. The woman stated that her foetus had been declared “medically dead” and that no movement had been observed. She did, however, feel movement “after praying to the martyr,” she said. The Vatican agreed, and Devasahayam was declared a saint.
“This sainthood is an invitation for us to live and lead a life free of discrimination,” said Father John Kulandai, who was a key member of the Kanyakumari team that worked on this matter and attended the canonization at the Vatican.
The original Vatican invitation mentioned Devasahayam’s former caste, the “Pillai.” The Vatican, however, removed it after protests that adding the caste name defeats the purpose of Devasahayam.
“Saint Devasahayam fought casteism and communalism and stood for equality. His canonization comes at a time when India is experiencing a rise in communalism “Devasahayam, a retired IAS officer, had written to the Vatican, requesting that his caste name be removed.”This canonization provides an excellent opportunity for the Church to speak out against the current communal poison. The church should have made this a people’s movement, but instead chose to focus on clergy “he added.
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