Charhi, India. Pioneer and Pastor.

For more than 35 years Bob has lived and worked amongst the poorest people of Jharkhand. Initially he was with the Dalits, those most marginalised Hindus, but now he is parish priest of Charhi, a Santal tribal centre. Bob is a gentle, flute playing pastor who is passionate about the environment and hates the terrible exploitation of the tribal world by multi-national mining companies. Bob can be heard playing his flute in the courtyard of a village house as people gather for Mass, celebrated according to the Santal rite.

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A flute in God's hands

Fr Bob is wearing sandals when we meet, and his clothing wouldn't look out of place in a commune. His bearded face is weathered from the sun, but his smile is warm and open. He tells me he's just come back from body surfing in Anglesea, something he's loved doing since he grew up in western Victoria but has few opportunities for on the sub-continent. He also has a bamboo flute with him, which he plays while he waits for the interview to begin. Read more...