CBCI General Assembly begins in Guwahati

CBCI General Assembly begins in Guwahati

Pinto Vamanjoor

Photographs: Vincent Mascarenhas, Moodbidri

Guwahati Feb 25: "The Solution to our country’s problem lies on the youth of India" said Cardinal Oswald Gracias. He was speaking after inaugurating the 29th CBCI General Body Meeting here in Guwahati. The function began at 11 am with the warm welcome "Namasthe" by the youth of North East followed by a Prayer dance performed by 13 girls praising God for the natural beauty of North East and showering God’s blessings on the assembly.

 

 

 

 

The diya was lit by Cardinal Telespore, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis,  Archbishop Menamparampil SDB, Archbishop Bishop Stanislaus,  Msgr. Chibuike Onyeaghala Apostolic Nunciature, Fr.Thomas Aquino Sequeira, the Dy Secretary of CBCI.

The dignitaries were offered Assamese Gumosa  and the Assamese Jhapi with the thunderous clap followed by offering of Gumosa to all the Archbishops, Bishops and the secretaries.  The welcome address was delivered by Archbishop Menamparambil the Archbishop of Guwahati.

He said Guwhati is a young diocese, including the building Inspiration.  He said Guwahati is a city of ancient lights and he  considered it’s a  rare privilege to host this august assembly. He once again accorded a warm welcome in the name of Assam and North East region.

He expressed that  the meeting is for the young people of India and wished that they get inspired from the message.  He exclaimed like the Psalmist that the river Brahmaputra  brings joy and God’s help comes from the mountains.

He recalled the forgotten missionaries who work in the remotest place labouring for the development of the region in times past and in our own times, despite of bad health and difficulties.  He quoted Mahatma Gandhi saying "When you make important decisions, keep in mind the  least and the down trodden"

Inaugural address was delivered by Cardinal Oswald Gracias the Vice president of CBCI. He quoted the II Vat council saying we need to be more effective in spreading God’s kingdom. It made mandatory for all the bishops to attend the meeting.  Last two years the themes have been dialogues, social communication, and women empowerment all pastorally important and relevant.

 
The CBCI decided for the year 2010 YOUTH as its theme. He said that 40% of Indian population is blow the age of 20.  Our youth is the biggest asset and our greatest hope.  Our county is making tremendous progress, in spite of economic meltdown. 

Cardinal said the solution to our country’s problem lies on the youth of India. We have  Our corruption, and poverty at all levels, and in all our problems we look towards youth for the solution.   We need ideology, only the youth can make the difference, they are generous, committed, impatient, always in a hurry, ambitious, dedicated, dreamers only they can save India from its moral decadence. Cardinal called the youth to make the liturgy vibrant. "In our pastoral ministries and   educational apostolate the youth must make a difference. Therefore it is very essential that we encourage our youth," he said and declared opened the CBCI GB meeting.

He also read the message of the President Cardinal Varkey Vidhayathil in his absentia  due to his ill health. In his message he stressed the empowerment of tribals and dalits, specially the North India and North East India.   

Indian church is becoming the church of middle class, it is high time we come out of our comfort zone and enter the territory of forsaken and lost ones.  It is a matter of shame that such discrimination exists in our schools, churches and convents. The suffering of Orissa Christians, the cry of the martyrs is a clarion call for us to reach out to our suffering brothers and sisters.  

He said this meeting will strengthen the youth, it will look after the aspirations and dreams of all the youth of India, whether they live in rural or urban area.

 
Msgr. Chibuike Onyeaghala, Apostolic Nunciature  expressed his view on youth today. Today  youth live in illusion, they are interested in listening to popular music and hang around their friends. Youth today are victims of neglect, abuse and senseless loss of love. They  need to be helped by the ministers and pastors of the church to know the love of God. Make youth a weapon for bringing peace and harmony.  We need youth for the interreligious dialogues.  These dialogues will lead to mutual understanding.

Archbishop Stansilaus gave a comprehensive and exhaustive  Biennial Report of the Catholic Conference of India for two years.  He highlighted all the events that took place during these two years, and read out the appointments of the new Bishops and also the Bishops who left for their eternal abode.  

His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis,  Vice President CBCI read out the messages of the Holy Father Benedict XVI, President of India, Cardinal Ivon Dias, Pontifical council of Laity, and Cardinal of Oriental Churches. After the messages were read out, Cardinal Telespore was called upon to release the book on Gender policy for which Sr Lily the Secretary for women’s desk also was called upon the stage.

Fr.Thomas Sequeira the Dy. General Secretary proposed the vote of thanks.  He gratefully thanked Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the other Cardinals and all the Archbishops and the bishops.  He thanked Cardinal Varkey in his absentia for his message.  He especially thanked Archbishop Menamaperambil for the wonderful hospitality.  He thanked Fr.V.M Thomas, Fr.Varghese, the Vicar General, the young students of DBI Institute for their wonderful hospitality and services to the delegates of G.B Meeting. He concluded his vote of thanks thanking one and all.