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CBCI Meeting at Guwahati
Theme: Youth for Peace and Harmony |
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| Guwahti: The Archdiocese of Guwahati hosted the 29th Plenary Assembly of the Catholics Bishops” Conference of India (CBCI) from Feb. 24 to 3 March at Don Bosco Institute, Kharghuli. The theme of the Assembly was “Youth for Peace and Harmony”.
157 Bishops and over 50 youth delegates participated in the event besides others.
In his inaugural address Vice President of CBCI, Oswald Cardinal Gracias identified youth as “harbingers of Change with their idealism, courage and dedication, who could make the country get rid of malaise like corruption, poverty and prejudice.” Our Lord has a special love for youth. We want the church to be filled with youth, the Cardinal added.
In his welcome address Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil expressed his joy and contentment in hosting the Assembly in Guwahati. “It is a beautiful region with diverse cultures and it is a wonderful opportunity for the Bishops of Inida to be exposed to the cultures of this region,”he told the gathering.
The message from the CBCI President Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, which was read out in absentia, stated that, “women’s empowerment and motivation and guidance of youth should be priority areas for the Church as they were essential for inclusive growth.
He emphasized the need to give special focus to dalits, tribals, the downtrodden and outcastes against whom discrimination was still continuing.
The message also noted that it is an opportunity ‘to share wisdom and learn from each other. He recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s words which spoke of deeds to benefit the poor and the downtrodden.
On Sunday Feb 28, the Cardinals and Bishps celebrated the Eucharist with the Catholic Community of Guwahati Archdiocese. Cardinal Oswald Gracias in his homily acknowledged the strong faith of people of North East. He exhorted them to continue to build up their faith in Jesus Chrsit so that the message of peace and harmony may be spread throughout the length and breadth of the country.”
The programme on Feb. 28 evening gave the Bishops a taste of various cultures of North East. Cardinal Oswald speaking on behalf of 157 Bishops expressed his sincere appreciation and thanks to the gathering of nearly 5000 people from North East for offering hospitality to the religious heads of the Church.
Cardinal Oswald said, “North East is a paradise on earth. It is a beautiful place with lots of cultural variety. Although we could not visit all seven sisters of North East, through the cultural evening the seven sisters have come to us.
There were 72 cultural troupes coming from the 15 Diocese of North East who presented their talents at their best. The show was arranged in the style of Republic Day Parade.
The Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi who graced the occasion on Feb 28, appreciated the work of Christian missionaries in North East India and thanked the Church which he said was rendering yeoman services through various institutes.
In his address at the cultural evening Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil thanked the Chief Minister and said, “The Bishops are greatly edified to learn that there are no communal tensions in the State of Assan, that the ehos of the region urges people to respectful of different religions, and that the Christian community feels encouraged and protected in this state. We are grateful.”
All through the days of the Assembly eight members of the Jesus Youth organized 24-hour adoration at the venue praying for their shepherds. According to them “prayer is the backbone of everything.”
Fourteen Christian politicians (Members of parliament and legislative assemblies) spent an evening with the Bishops at Don Bosco Institute. The politicians (all of them former borders of Church schools) thanked the bishops for coming to the region, where the Church has been active for nearly 125 years. The bishops said the large number of Catholic political leaders in the region encouraged them in their efforts to urge their people to join mainstream politics.
CBCI Vice President Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay said the Church was proud it could produce so many leaders in the region.
Observing that most visiting legislators were young, the Cardinal said their presence has given a new impetus to the church’s efforts to address issues related youth. |
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