The annual Regional Pastoral Conference of North East India concluded with a resolution to better care for the youth of the region to make a better Church and Society on 1 September at Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, Guwahati.
The three-day event, which saw the participation of all the Bishops, Priests, Women Religious and around 150 youth and lay delegates from the 15 dioceses of the seven states of North East India, dwelled on the theme “Responsible Youth Leaders for a Better Church and Society” in the context of the challenges the youth face today and its implications to Society.
Msgr. Patrick Saw Zay Han, First Secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature in India, who represented the Apostolic Nuncio at the conference witnessed the three-day proceedings appreciated the theme of the event that is in the proximate context with Christus Vivit, the latest Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis to the young people of the world. He also wished proper measures to implement the suggestions proposed by the conference to generate better leadership to make a better Church and Society.
The conference highlighted the challenges that are affecting the youth in North East India and listed social media addiction, crisis of faith, lack of positive relationship in the family, unemployment, early marriage as major concerns that needed immediate attention.
Archbishop Dominic Jala sdb, the President of the North East Regional Bishops’ Council, inaugurating the Conference called for an attitude of open-mindedness and a spirit of acceptance among those engaged in Youth ministry. “Youth ministry should not be limited to familiar space but go to popular space where young people already are”, he said.
Delivering the opening address Fr. Jerry Thomas sdb said to make a better Church and Society we need a large group of young people who cannot be manipulated but stand firmly on the side of good.
Mr. Becare Me o Nongtdu, the North East Regional Youth President called on those engaged in youth ministry to take the youth seriously and to trust them untiringly to tap their immense creative potency.
Fr. Kuriakose Poovathumkudy, Rector, Oriens Theological College, Shillong, Mr. Joseph Lalchuana IPS (Rtd), Jeremei Krong (Miao), Vincent Tiru (Tezpur), Ferosita Basumatary (Bongaigaon) Steffy A. Sangma (Tura), Thaimei Samson (Imphal) Fr. Jon Barman msfs, Rilinta Lyngdoh (Shillong), Ronica Devi (Guwahati), Pinky Sarkar ( DBI, Guwahati), Nguangtola Yimchunger Victoria (Kohima) Deepak Peter Gabriel IRPS, Chief Personnel Officer, NE Frontier Railway, Dorothy Jasokie (Kohima) and Albert Ekka (Guwahati) are the other speakers at the conference.
The Regional Pastoral Conference 2019 concluded with the election of new office-bearers of North East India Regional Catholic Council.
