RSSGUWAHATI, India (UCAN) -– The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) ended its 29th biennial plenary assembly today [March 3] with a promise to ensure “adequate” planning and funds for its youth ministry.
As many as 163 bishops from the country’s 164 dioceses, who met Feb. 24-March 3 at Guwahati, Assam, also promised a national youth policy and pastoral plan. They decided to design a family life education program to help families train youth.
Fifty one representatives from various youth organizations under the Church attended the first three days of the plenary that deliberated mainly on “youth for peace and harmony.”
The bishops in their concluding statement said they “listened with interest and humility” to the youths’ appreciation of the Catholic faith and eagerness to participate in Church life but noted many young Catholics also experience a “sense of disconnect” with the Church’s language, expression and priorities.
The statement commended some young Catholics’ “genuine” efforts to lead a Christian life, even when some bishops “seem to fail to adequately respond to their aspirations.”
The bishops also promised to open the Church’s nation-wide network of institutions and parishes to care for young people who migrate to cities for jobs.
They also resolved to promote better education and professional skills training for tribal and dalit (former untouchable caste) youths.
The CBCI will encourage its 13 regions and all dioceses to appoint a “dedicated” person to look after the needs of youth.
They also plan to introduce training for the youth ministry as part of seminary formation.
The statement ends with the bishops urging youth to assume responsibility for their own formation “under the guidance of your duly appointed leaders.”
The bishops also want young Catholics to get involved in the Church’s evangelization works, work for human rights and social justice, and engage in various peace movements in the country.
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