1. Inspired by the Holy Spirit and keenly aware of the responsibility placed on us to shepherd the flock of Christ, we, 157 Catholic Bishops of India, met for the 29th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati from 24 February to 3 March 2010, to reflect on and pray over the theme ‘Youth for Peace and Harmony’. Providentially, it happened to be the Silver Jubilee of the International Year of Youth (1985-2010). Attending the Meeting were also the CBCI Commission Secretaries and Directors of National Centres, some office bearers of the Conference of Religious of India and the Catholic Council of India along with the National Director of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) and 51 youth delegates from the 13 regions of the country.

2. The relevance of the theme of our Meeting is evident from the fact that while the country is marching forward rapidly, it is simultaneously experiencing discord, disharmony and violence on several fronts. The Church has always stood for the unity and integrity of the country as a Sovereign Democratic Republic and has been against violence even for the attainment of legitimate goals. The face of India today is ‘young’ - the population trends point towards the average Indian being less than 30 years of age by 2020. Hence, the Church wants very much to harness the enthusiasm of youth in the cause of peace and harmony. Education should propel the young generation to go beyond differences and appreciate the diversity of cultures, languages, regions, and religions to create a culture of peace and harmony where everyone will be respected as human beings, free to profess, practise and share one’s faith.

3. The Church has always had young people and their integral development close to her heart. “The Bishop, as pastor and father of the Christian community, will be particularly concerned for the evangelization and spiritual accompaniment of young people. A minister of hope can hardly fail to build the future together with those to whom the future is entrusted, that is, with young people” (Pastores Gregis, 53). Again, Christifideles Laici, 46 states: “… the Church sees her path towards the future in the youth, beholding in them a reflection of herself and her call to that blessed youthfulness which she constantly enjoys as a result of Christ's Spirit”. Pope Benedict XVI strongly affirms: “Without this young face, the Church would appear disfigured” (São Paulo, Brazil, May 10, 2007).

4. Globalization has made an impact on all, especially on young people. It has contributed to an economic resurgence in general and ushered in great opportunities and possibilities. At the same time, it has left large sections of poor marginalized young people frustrated by contributing to increasing levels of poverty and unemployment. It has adversely affected family relationships. It has led to the collapse of the traditional rural economy, causing an agrarian crisis, thereby leading to spiritual, cultural and political unrest.

5. We are concerned about the migration of young people from rural areas to towns and cities in India and abroad. We are aware of its consequences: the exploited and degrading existence of especially of young women, and of young people with no skills and economic backing, forced to live away from their family, community and cultural moorings. We share their anxiety about their present and future.


6. The Youth Survey carried out by the ICYM in preparation for this Assembly enlightened us on the situation of youth in relation to society and the Church.

7. We look to Jesus as our model in our ministry to youth. Jesus sees hope and life in the little girl who is dead (Lk. 8: 40-52). He determinedly steps in to stop the funeral procession of a young man, the son of a widow (Lk. 7:11-17). HE STOPS THE JOURNEY OF DEATH. Young people find themselves in many death-dealing situations. They need the LIFE Jesus offers – Life in all its fullness (Jn. 10:10). Youth need us, like Jesus, to “touch” them, “challenge” them to stand up and “entrust” them back healed and living to the “mother” – to the community, to the nation and to the Church.

10. We bishops turn to you, our young people: We encourage you to take up the responsibility of your own formation under the guidance of your duly appointed leaders. We appeal to you to become part of the Small Christian Communities wherein you will imbibe a sense of belonging to the parish and to the Church. We cherish the hope that some of you will answer God’s call to the priesthood and religious life. We count on those among you trained in the ICYM and other Youth Movements to step forward as lay leaders. We exhort you to become ever more involved in the task of evangelization so that the Good News may be heard throughout our country. We urge you to get involved in issues of human rights and social justice, and become part of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and other civil administration and governance bodies. We ask you to get engaged in various peace movements in our country, spreading the message of peace and nonviolence in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. We invite you, young men and women with sound moral values and personal integrity, whom people can trust, to enter into politics and build up of our nation by working for the all-round development of our people, especially the poor and the marginalized, and thus witness to God’s presence and redeeming activity. We stand by you in your journey towards establishing peace and harmony in our motherland.

11. As we conclude the 29th General Assembly of the CBCI, we turn to Mary our Mother. To her we commend our youth so dear to her so that they may truly become Channels of Peace and Harmony.


Most Rev. Albert D’Souza
Secretary General, CBCI &
Archbishop of Agra