India's Anthony Poola, the first Dalit cardinal, will participate in choosing the new pope
Four Indian cardinals will participate in the election of the new pope. Among them is Anthony Poola, the only one from the Dalit community, formerly known as "untouchables." A symbol for Indian Dalits.
For Indian Dalits, the symbolism is powerful. An Indian cardinal, the first Dalit to hold the post, will participate in the conclave to elect the new pope starting May 7 in Rome, The Print reports .
Archbishop of Hyderabad, Anthony Poola, comes from the Dalit community. Once called “untouchables,” Dalits were considered at the bottom of the social hierarchy established by the caste system and, as such, continue to face discrimination. As The Print explains:
“Coming from a community that has faced systematic oppression for centuries, Mr. Poola’s journey to the Vatican stands apart from the domination of upper-caste religious cadres.”
In total, four Indian cardinals will participate in the election of the new pope. The other three are Filipe Neri Ferrão, Baselios Cleemis, and George Jacob Koovakad.
While Anthony Poola's role "in selecting the next pope has global significance, it also has profound significance for India's Dalit Christian community," the online news site continues.
Anthony Poola was born on November 15, 1961, in Poluru, Andhra Pradesh, in southern India, into a poor Dalit family. He suffered
Courrier International
