The Liberator of Tribals: Short Biography of Servant of God Father Constant Lievens, S.J.

The Liberator of Tribals: Short Biography of Servant of God Father Constant Lievens, S.J. (Ranchi: Ranchi Jesuits, 2014), by Agapit Tirkey, pp. x + 78, Price Rs. 20.00.

This booklet gives a beautiful analysis of the missionary works of Father Constant Lievens S.J. (1866 – 1893) in Chotanagpur who has been aptly called by various names: “The Apostle of Chotanagpur, A Liberator of People, A Knight of Justice and the Missionary of our Times” (p. vi). Lievens, born a son of poor farmer in Belgium, came to India as a missionary, worked towards the emancipation of tribals of Chotanagpur, the present Jharkhand and adjacent parts of Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Bihar. This was his karmabhumi, the place of work. 

The booklet is divided into five parts. The first part deals with the life of Constant Lievens beginning from Belgium and gradually the author introduces us to his karmabhumi. The second part is the socio-political situation of the time. Third part, ‘Father Constant Lievens: the Missionary’ deals with various issues, problems, movements, hardships the missionary underwent and ends with the last moments of his life. Fourth part is the spread of the Kingdom of God after Lievens’ death and erection of subsequent missions like Barway-Chechari, Jashpur and Biru-Gangpur. In the final part the author beautifully summarizes the effect of Lievens’ work. 

Lievens’ pioneer work has yielded remarkable fruits such as protection from the landlords, erection of legal cells, CNT and Santal Paragana Acts, Chotanagpur Catholic Mission Co-operative Society, and above all recognition of tribals as human beings. Further, the author says, “After the coming of Father Lievens to Chotanagpur in 1885, during the last 129 years, from the Christian community of tribal origin in Chotanagpur alone there have been 31 bishops, 3 Archbishops, 1 Cardinal consecrated. Similarly, innumerable priests also have been ordained from the same community” (p. 71). 

The booklet comes out at an opportune time as the work towards Beatification of Lievens is coming to its closure. Lucid writing, lots of pictures, memorials and analysis create interest in the reader. It is also historically accurate and well-written about an inspirational leader and visionary. The writer, Fr. Agapit Tirkey S.J., a tribal from Jashpur is a well-known scholar in the tribal life and culture. The book has been published both in English and Hindi languages by the same author gives an ample scope for non-English readers. The Hindi title is, ādivāsiyon ke uddharak. Surely this book is an inspirational and at the same time useful for talks, seminars and reflections. Let Lievens’ life be a source of inspiration and Challenge our missionary zeal.

Fr. Raju Felix Crasta