The
29th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of India began on February 24 at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati,
Assam with a solemn Holy Mass presided over by Cardinal Oswald
Gracias, Vice President I of the Conference. Others who concelebrated
at the Mass were Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop
of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo,
Archbishop of Ranchi, Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, the Secretary
General of CBCI, Archbishop George Valiamattam of Tellicherry,
Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, the local host
and Msgr Chibuike Onyeaghala, the Charge d’ Affaires,
Vatican Embassy, New Delhi.
163 Catholic Bishops of India have gathered at Don Bosco Institute,
Guwahati for their Plenary Assembly which will discuss the theme,
‘ Youth for Peace and Harmony’. The eight day long
Plenary Assembly from February 24-March 3, 2010 will have deliberations
on the theme and formulate strategies as a means to bring out
a National Youth Policy and thus enhance the youth ministry
in the Church and society at large.
The Holy Mass was followed by a colorful inaugural function
where Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil warmly welcomed all the
Bishop Members of CBCI and delegates to Guwahati and wished
them a happy stay during the meeting. Cardinal Oswald Gracias
addressed the gathering stressing the importance of the life
of youth and declared the Plenary Assembly opened. He read out
the message of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, President of CBCI
who could not be present. Cardinal Varkey pointed out to ten
key areas of Church activities since the last Plenary Assembly
in 2008. Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes presented the biannual
report of the Conference which highlighted the significant occasions
during the last two years; he welcomed and felicitated the newly
appointed bishops and also paid respects to those departed.
Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis read out the Messages of the Holy
Father Benedict XVI, Mrs Pratibha Patil, President of India,
Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri and Cardinal
Ivan Dias of Vatican.
The afternoon session was dedicated to the main theme of the
Plenary Assembly. Mr. Adrian Rosario in his address focussed
on the challenges and possibilities today’s youth face
in the country. He stressed that the Catholic youth are no different
when it comes to facing the challenges that are faced by the
youth of today. Among the topics he dealt with the demographics
of youth in India, their education opportunities, employability
and social and political consciousness. He admitted that there
are no ready-made solutions but these are serious issues that
need to be addressed.
Responding to Mr Adrian’s presentation, Mr Rakesh Singh,
former president of Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) said
that with the increase of education and income the life-style
of the youth has also changed. He urged the Bishops assembled
to create avenues for young people to make a positive contribution
to the Church and society. Mr. Rakesh Singh said that active
citizenship, inter-cultural understanding and social solidarity
among young people are necessary to ensure equitable development,
justice, peace and social cohesion.
The results of an All India Survey conducted by ICYM on Indian
Catholic Youth was presented by Mr. Saiby Mathew to the CBCI
Plenary Assembly. The survey highlighted some of the major concerns
of the youth in the country. According to the survey many young
people are struggling with poverty, migration, proper education
facilities, gainful employment, social upheaval, political instability
and environmental degradation. Their problems have been compounded
in the context of economic globalization, and this calls for
serious reflection, deliberation and timely action.
The survey pointed out that the lack of basic infrastructure,
finances, technology, networking and exposure hinder the effectiveness
of youth and their pastoral care. According to some of the suggestions
of the survey, the youth must be encouraged and promoted to
form social forums and to participate actively in political
activities. Forum for dialogue and cooperation among the youth
related activities and organizations within and outside the
Church should also be established in order to listen to the
genuine concerns of the young people. A special attention has
to be given to differently abled youth in order to bring them
to the mainstream of society. In the multi-religious context
of the country, it was felt that the youth must be motivated
to be channels of interreligious peace and harmony.
The
29th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of India began on February 24 at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati,
Assam with a solemn Holy Mass presided over by Cardinal Oswald
Gracias, Vice President I of the Conference. Others who concelebrated
at the Mass were Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop
of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo,
Archbishop of Ranchi, Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, the Secretary
General of CBCI, Archbishop George Valiamattam of Tellicherry,
Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, the local host
and Msgr Chibuike Onyeaghala, the Charge d’ Affaires,
Vatican Embassy, New Delhi.