The Church in the eastern state of West Bengal has urged the laity to take a more active role in serving the public.

Conscious efforts are on to encourage the laity in this regard, coadjutor archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta said at the start of centenary celebrations of the Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB) at St Xavier’s College on Sunday.

The association could help identify and prepare people for public service and also promote laity leadership roles within the Church, he told the nearly 500-strong gathering.

His views were supported by Bishop Cyprian Monis of Asansol.

Bishop Monis also congratulated popular TV quiz-master-turned-politician Derek O’Brien on becoming a member of parliament and exhorted the laity to follow his example.

The Church in Mangalore has also taken steps to identify Catholic students from grade seven and coach them towards the Indian Administrative Services examinations, he said.

“In order to counter a culture of corruption, we need to provide leaders, and the Catholic Association of Bengal can be at the forefront of preparing our youth to take up government service.”

O’Brien, who was also present, thanked the public and his Trinamool (grassroots) Congress party for helping him become a member of the upper house.

He promised to help the Church get government funds for scholarships.

The CAB represents 500,000 Catholics in the state, and is involved with social, cultural and religious welfare activities in West Bengal.

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