Bishop urges youth and sports ministry to recognize Catholic youth force

Bishop urges youth and sports ministry to recognize Catholic youth force

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 24, 2012 : Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore, has appealed to the Union Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry to recognize India’s Catholic youth and make ample use of the Catholic youth force.

 

 

 

 

Interacting with Saleem Mohammed, national director general of Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK), on September 23, Sunday at Bishop’s House, the bishop said that India’s Catholic youth is recognized by several youth bodies all over the world, but are still strangers in the Indian youth affairs ministry. He urged the NYK to make use of the active youth force in the Catholic Church for its programs.

Speaking on the occasion, Fr. Alwyn D’Souza, former national Catholic youth director of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said that the Catholic Church has over one million active youth, but are not made part of the secular youth force of the nation.

The church leaders then placed three urgent requests before the NYK—government recognition for the Youth Active Foundation, a registered body, incorporation of Catholic youth in the government’s youth policy making proceedings, and resources for the society-oriented programs organized by Catholic youth all over the country.

Mr. Mohammed said that he will consider the demands and invited Catholic youth to take part in the National Youth Festival, which is scheduled to be held in November this year.

He also said that there are 3 lakh NYK units in 623 districts all over India.

Fr. William Menezes, PRO for Mangalore Diocese; Cecil J. F. D’Souza, South Kanara District NYK coordinator; Naveen D’Souza, Sudhir T. K., and many others were present.