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In 2001 he met the “snake Father,” a Jesuit priest who with “leaves, herbal paste and prayer” made him walk again.

For people such as Seenu, an agricultural laborer in Darsi village in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Jesuit Father Mark Sahayaraj has become a “god-healer.”

However, Father Sahayaraj says he is only fulfilling his pastoral ministry “that gives hope and deepens the faith” of dalit (low-caste) parishioners.

The priest, who four years ago became pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Darsi, Prakasam district, some 1,850 kilometers south of New Delhi, said he was “forced to learn this indigenous skill” to help the helpless victims.

He said he became concerned because snakes and scorpions bite many agricultural laborers who live in the open bush. “With no proper medical facilities, many die or fall ill for life,” he told UCA News.

Father Sahayaraj said he taught Vijaya Bhaskar, his catechist, how to prepare and use herbal remedies because many villages they visit have no doctors or dispensaries.

He added that he encourages his parishioners to grow the “cheap, abundant and easily available” herbs used in the remedies and has asked government officials to encourage others to do so.

Most victims come to him with “great faith and hope of healing,” he said.

Gunturu Galiah, headman of neighboring Errobowanabally village, said he believes that if the victims are touched by Father Sahayaraj, “healing will take place.” He added that the priest has healed some 250 victims and helped them live as better Hindus, Muslims or Christians.

Bishop Pudota C. Balaswamy of Nellore, whose diocese covers Prakasam district, told UCA News in June that Father Sahayaraj’s healing ministry “brings conversion and allows the victims to lead a quality life.”

Venkata Subba Reddy, a high-caste Hindu who admitted his earlier dislike for Father Sahayaraj’s work among the dalits, said his attitude changed after the priest cured his wife of a snakebite.

“I was very touched,” Reddy told UCA News.

For those who have some money, Father Sahayaraj said, there are “quacks” who will treat them for a hefty sum.

His free treatment of snake and scorpion bites involves six types of plants that are ground to a paste and taken internally. “People show their gratitude by praying at the grotto on the church grounds,” he added.

Venkata Rao, a 14-year-old Hindu victim of cobra bite from Ramachandra Puram, near Darsi, said the Blessed Mother and the priest’s treatment cured him. He added that he visits the church grotto every week.

Cheethanla Lakshmi, who was bitten by a dog while pregnant, said she felt as if Jesus was healing her when the priest treated her.

A physician working with the Indian railways told UCA News that he now uses herbal medicine in his clinic after becoming convinced of Father Sahayaraj’s understanding of herbal medicine. The doctor, Y. Ramana, said that people in the region identify the Darsi church as a “healing center.”

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