Q:

Father, could you tell me a little about your birth, education, ordination etc?

A:

I was born on March 25, 1951 at Athirampuzha, a village in Kerala. During my schooling, one day, I heard a voice calling me to do the work of God. I believed it was the voice of Jesus and I decided to commit myself to do His work. After leaving school, I joined the Congregation of Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales. I was ordained priest on  June 19, 1979.

Q:

Now that you have been working in Tanzania for many years, would you tell us about the country, the people and your work among them? 

A:

I was one among the four priests sent to Tanzania by Missionaries of St Francis De Sales in December 1987. We were asked to take up the healing ministry (physical and spiritual) work, and also work for the economic growth of the poor at Kihonda. Seeing the suffering and poverty of the people, I requested my congregation to open an herbal medical centre which can provide free treatment to the people. My request was granted; I have been working there for the past 16 years. (In 2002, Fr. Sebastian was awarded for excellence in holistic healing).

Strength for the weak!

Courage for the timid!

Consolation for the afflicted!

Q:

How do you carry out healing work since you are not a doctor? 

A:

Every human being has the right to live in this world until God calls him or her back. I became a priest in order to preach the Gospel and to be a 'Doctor' as my people call me. Jesus is my role model. He preached and healed the sick through prayer and using natural means. That is what I wanted and that is what I do - preaching the Word of God and healing the sick.

Q:

Which system of medicine are you using to treat your patients - Allopathy, Ayurveda or Homeopathy? 

A:

In our centre, we follow the system of Ayurveda.  People come from far and near, from other countries as well. Most of them are poor. They are convinced that they get healed of their ailments here with minimum expenses. Before enquiring about the problem of the patient, I always pray to Jesus, the divine healer, because I am only an instrument in his hands. Prayer, they believe, along with medical treatment heals the ailment. I use natural resources - water, rocks medicinal plants and herbs. I tell my patients that every tree and plant in this world, even poisonous ones, has medicinal properties. Only one needs to know how to use them.

Q:

How does the government look at your healing work? 

A:

The Bishop of Morogoro and the Ministry of Health gives us great support and encouragement. I spend my leisure time to create awareness among the people in order to free them from these unhealthy beliefs and train them in using the natural resources. I distribute booklets on herbal medicines and medicinal plants. A health worker is employed to train them in herbal medicine. They are taught to use locally available medicinal plants. Primary importance is given to balanced diet.

Q:

I admire your enthusiasm and dedication to free the people from superstitions and improve their economical status. How do you go about taking preaching and healing together?

A:

Sunday is dedicated to the preaching of the Gospel and to meet the spiritual needs of my people. I conduct prayer services, especially for the sick. They have faith in God that He will heal them; and many are healed during the prayer services. The rest of the week, I am fully engaged in my healing ministry. There too I have recourse to prayer before giving treatment.

The long waiting for a healing touch

 Now people realize that if they come to the centre at an earlier stage of their illness that could avoid unnecessary expenditure. Now, when seriously ill patients are brought, there is no facility to admit them for better care. We need to have a larger centre with more facilities -infrastructure all equipments etc, - that will provide better service to the patients. Also, the centre needs more staff to care for the patients. We need to change the situation. The land and the plan for the buildings (dispensary, chapel and staff quarters) are ready.

There will be a short training for those who are interested to work with us. I am planning to print booklets on local available medicinal plants. I would like to invite religious men and women (as congregation or as individuals) with knowledge of Alternative Systems of Medicine, who are interested to work in Tanzania.