CATHOLIC
COUNCIL OF INDIA (CCI)
Final Statement of the 10th General Body Meeting
January 9-12, 2010
Pallottine Animation Centre, Nagpur
Part
I
Theme:
“Youth in the Church and Society”
Introduction:
The young
generation of today growing up as they do in the modern technological
age are exposed to a wide variety of new ideas, experiences
and influences. These made them ambitious, highly competitive
and conscious of their role in the society. They yearn for social
justice and are collectively impatient at the slow pace of changes
in the society in which they live. As a result they are very
susceptible to the calls of movements and organizations which
project speedy programs of social action and justify means by
their ends.
The influence of the media – print, audio and video is
much more pronounced on the young of today than on any of the
earlier generations. It must be said that their influence are
none too healthy.
One area
of concern is the change in attitude towards sex, stability
of family, wife sex relation etc. coupled with their change
in the evolution of an attitude of indifference towards religion
and religious practices which form the basic life time of any
healthy social order.
Its manifestation comes in the form of a craze for any cost,
indulging in competition, break up of families and increase
in the number of divorcees, the tendencies of aping the west
in which is costlier living together without marriage, gay and
lesbian relationship.
To us Catholics in as much as their influences engulf our youth
it must be seen as indication of the failure of the value system
we inculcate in our youth to withstand the onslaught of the
unhealthy influence of the new era.
Perhaps we may console ourselves that many of our young men
and women coming as they do form village or tribal set up with
close family ties do not come under the aforementioned generalization.
But, the fact that the electronic media permeate all social
set ups fast, makes such engulfing a question of time.
This enjoins
upon us to make a serious introspection visa-visa our attitude
towards youth and the programs we have by way of youth action.
We should devise programs of action aimed at a qualitative improvement
of the training gives to the youth and have effective refresher
programs.
It is against
this background that, we the General Body of the Catholic Council
of India (CCI) meeting from January 09th to 12th, 2010 at Pallottine
Animation Centre, Nagpur reflected on ‘Youth in the Church
and Society’. The latest demographic statistics of India
shows that by 2020 the average age of the Indian population
will be 29 years. 2010 is the 25th year of the International
Year of Youth which was first celebrated in 1985. After due
reflection, sharing and praying during this conference, we realize:
We
want to take forward all the initiatives and activities of
the catholic community at family, parish, diocese, institutional
and national level so that the youth understand their role
and are prepared to exercise their rightful place in church
and society
The
young people can play an important role in the church and
society so that the values of belongingness, social responsibility
and unity can be cultivated.
Church
and the Youth Ministry:
We gratefully
acknowledge and appreciate the support together with other youth
groups the Church is giving to the young people. The CBCI Youth
Commission and ICYM have given a platform to youth from across
the country to come together and interact and express their
opinions and voice their concerns.
Insights:
Many people
are struggling in the face of varied difficulties like poverty,
migration, political instability and environmental degradation
in the context of economic globalization. Yet we believe that
the source of our strength continues to be the family.
A
large number of our new generation young people are Media
and IT savvy. The modern scientific and technological advancement
has provided our young people with more exposure and information.
In
this era of information there is a greater need to listen
to the opinion of the young people. The old system of only
preaching has to be complemented by interactions because the
modern youth are well informed about the society and modern
advancements.
There
is an increasing need for Gospel value based steward leadership
in the modern society. The need to train and promote value
based leaders in the society is the need of the hour. Our
youth should be encouraged to be politically and socially
conscious to serve the society.
Young
people lose their hope when they experience conflict and failure
in their journey towards renewal, in their faith and prayer.
The Church has got a vital role to instill hope in the young
people to move forward.
One of the characteristics of this age is multitasking and
‘time management! Speed results in growth and development
at the same time it is a great concern as well.
Another
characteristic of modern age is ‘exposure’. Due
to the media revolution and other advancements young people
get wider exposure at a considerably young age.
Openness
and adaptability are two other features of the modern youth.
These are very positive qualities and can be used very productively
in the larger interests of the community.
One
of the great concerns is how much are we equipped to cater
to the needs of our youth with our existing facilities and
programs. They need leaders and pastors who are Role Models
and planned programs which will spur their spirits.
The energy of the young people is another factor that makes
us optimistic. They are dynamic and vibrant in their thinking
and action, which can result in positive change in the society.
But the concern is whether the young people get an opportunity
to channel their energy positively or else can turn to be
destructive. There are already signs of rebellion in several
states of our country due to unemployment coupled with illiteracy
and lack of developmental activities.
Greater involvement of the online solidarity and networking
groups virtually brings mass awareness and advocacy.
In the modern times ‘Competition’ is the order
of the day. To be competent enough in the job market the students
in the universities have to concentrate well in their studies.
Challenges:
The
new generation is not as interested in the traditional Church
activities as the earlier generations. The modern youth have
various other opportunities for leisure time and meaningful
activities by which they feel fulfilled.
The youth feel that the Church is not sufficiently updated
with methods and modes of pastoral care.
In
certain instances the youth animators (in the parishes) are
ill-equipped to update themselves with the modern information
about the fast changing world scenario
Young
people always look for a platform, where they can express
their point of view and use their creativity.
The
parents do not allow the youth to take part in social activities
fearing that they may become part of a rebellious group.
Lack
of entrepreneurship skills and promotion of entrepreneurs.
Lack
of basic infrastructure, finances, technology, networking
and exposure hinder the effectiveness of our youth pastoral
care.
Lack
of youth ministers and the importance of the young people
serving/leading the youth.
The syllabi of the Universities and Schools should be updated
to cater the needs of today’s competitive market. The
parental pressure also makes our student community more stressed.
Estranged family relations, the competitive job market and
comparison in the world lead to stress and tension.
Recommendations
Make
use of meaningful methods and means to encourage young people
to deepen faith in God through prayers and meditation. (Bible
classes, Pious organizations, etc.)
Youth
are to be firmly anchored on the Word of God, the source of
our life and inspiration. They are to be firmly rooted in
the word and Eucharist which are the heart and centre of Christian
life (Ecclesia de Eucharistia)
Training of youth ministers – people set apart and with
a heart for youth
Forum
for dialogue and cooperation among the youth related realities
and commissions within the Church.
Under the Youth commission create a fraternity of all catholic
youth movements and associations to ensure the collaborative
functioning of youth organizations.
Encourage
and promote secular youth forums to facilitate acclimatization
for the catholic youth to enter into the larger social as
well as political activities.
Create ‘forums’ at the grass root level, where
youth can come together to open up, share and get accompaniment.
Spot talents in youth and nurture it.
Media
centers should be linked with youth to provide media guidance
for youth and youth ministers. Also, the Church should be
made visible in media.
Promote Christian values and culture among the youth through
various programs to create a consciousness against addictions
like smoking, drugs, alcoholism and promote a healthy family
life.
Equipping youth to face the challenges of social, professional
as well as personal life.
Promote socio economic based entrepreneurship initiatives
and alternative employment opportunities for the young people
20% reservation for youth in Parish, Diocese and all Commissions
in the Church
Setting up of hostels for college and university students
as well as for working men and women
Better coordination from the part of Youth ministry leaders
with the state as well as the central government on youth
projects
Special attention and space for the ‘differently abled’
young people
Soft landing space for migrant youth
Specific plans to motivate youth to become part of country’s
administrative, judicial as well as political spheres. Special
emphasis on empowering the rural parents about the new possibilities
in career.
Encourage
youth to be part of the SCC i.e. formed neighbored groups
The training programs for youth should be extended to the
High School levels so that they can be molded into responsible
faith.
Inter religious dialogue should be organized for youth so
that they may develop fraternity with people of all religions
which will result in corporate peace to all mankind.
To encourage youth to be the instrument of Communal harmony
by forming peace committees at local and regional levels.
The Church should organize special training programmes for
youth and newly married.
Part
II
Theme: “Current issues and Problems Concerning the Church
& Society”
Reiterating
the position the CCI took on issues of general interest at its
meeting held at Ranchi in 2007 and responding to the situations
and issues which have come to the fore, we state as follows:
Recommendations:
A.
We
shall continue to fight against the denial of SC status to
Dalit Christians, which has become totally untenable and indicative
of unpardonable discrimination against them in the context
of the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission report which has
upheld their right to being considered SC.
We shall reinforce our efforts using all means to help the
tribal people to preserve their statutory rights across the
country especially in the fifth and the sixth scheduled area.
The Council condemns the continued denial of the basic religious
freedom of minorities in many states through anti-conversion
laws which in their actual operation verge on human right
violations.
We condemn involvement of some misguided elements in terrorist
activities and declare our unqualified support to Government
in all efforts to curb and eradicate terrorism.
We declare our uncompromising opposition to the legalization
of same sex relationships and condemn unequivocally the efforts
on the part of some elements to get legal sanction for the
same.
We view with concern the violence unleashed in some part of
the country by elements who are apparently not satisfied with
the pace of social changes. We condemn violence as a means
of political agenda and call upon all concerned to fully cooperate
with and participate in the democratic electoral processes
of the country.
At the same time we call upon all political parties and the
government to address urgently the problems of glaring social
inequalities and corruption which lead to frustration and
violence.
The Council condemns efforts made in some quarters to get
legislation passed to make inroads into the day to day administration
of the Church and declare that any such further attempts would
be strongly opposed by the community.
The Council feels that the experiences of the Christian Community
in Orissa in the Khandhamal riots of 200-08 shall ever remain
a blot on the secular edifice of the country which had been
built up under the inspiring leadership of our great national
leaders. We feel the responses of the political parties in
general and government in particular in tackling the problems
of the thousands who were displaced from their homes and constrained
to live in improvised camps for long has been far from satisfactory
and at least in some cases did smack off culpable apathy.
The Council regrets that the rehabilitation process for the
victims of violence at Kandhamal is still not complete. It
calls upon everyone to expedite the process of healing the
wounds and getting back the unfortunate victims of the riots
back to their homes with dignity.
The CCI expresses its grave concern about the attempts of
state governments like Kerala to bring out the legislation
to control the size of the family and to legalize euthanasia.
Such steps involve intruding into serious moral and ethical
value cherished by individuals and society.
The Council feels that a committee such as Sachaar Committee
should be appointed by the Government to study backwardness
of the Christian Community and to recommend steps.
New enactments should be promulgated and special investigating
agency and special courts tribunals constituted to handle
the cases of atrocities against the minority communities of
India.
B
Church
must participate fully in the National discourse on Peace
and Justice Issues and express solidarity with the struggles
of people for dignity and human rights.
We call for the full implementation of the Catholic Education
Policy in letter and spirit. We also call for appropriate
steps to promote higher education particularly in backward
areas.
The increased representation of women in legislative bodies
and local self governments demands greater stress on preparation
of women for leadership roles. The Council realizes its responsibilities
in the matter and resolves to initiate specialized training
programmes to prepare women to take up the additional responsibilities
which devolve upon them.
The
CBCI should identify such dioceses which do not have pastoral
councils on parish and diocesan levels, finance committee
etc. should take steps to form such bodies. Also Regional
Councils of CCI shall in all the 13 Regions for effectively
implementing the programs of the CCI.
Promote probity in public life both in the Church and Society
by exposing corruption, encouraging internal audit leading
to transparency and prioritization of the use of resources.
The CBCI and CCI should take leadership and initiative to
mobilize all sections of the people to take up the cause of
the Dalits at various levels. A strategy must be evolved to
meet the administrators at the State and National level and
to mobilize the support of the parliamentarians and the legislators
in India. At the same time Church should strive to end all
caste based divisions and discriminations within the Church
and Society.
There must be periodical press releases by the CCI and CBCI
and interface sessions with Government, parliamentarians,
legislator, media persons, social leaders to sensitize them
with people’s issues and the concerns of the Church.
The Council should have a spokesperson.
Fr. Varghese
Pullan SAC
Secretary, Catholic Council of India
The
Newly Elected Office Bearers of the Catholic Council of India
Election result declared on 12/01/2010 at 7: 30 p.m.)
Vice President
: Ms. MURIEL SCHOONER (Ajmer, Rajasthan)
Vice President : PROF. S. VINCENT (Kottar, Tamil Nadu)
Executive
Committee Members
1. Rev. Fr. Albert Xess (Orissa)
2. Rev. Fr. Paul Pulikkan (Trichur, Kerala)
3. Rev. Sr. Teresa Peter FS (Catholic Religious of India)
4. Mr. M. C. Anthoni (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
5. Mrs. Clara Fernandez (Belgaum, Karnataka)
6. Mr. Adrian Michael ( Lucknow, U.P)
7. Adv. Anjaly Cyrus (Kottapuram, Kerala)
8. Mr. Tok Bhuttum (Itanagar, North East)
9. Mrs. Molly Sebastian (New Delhi, Northern)
