India - Bishops told to involve youth more in Church

Cardinal Oswald Gracias

Guwahati:-The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) opened its 29th plenary here with Church leaders stressing greater involvement of young people in the Church and society.

"Young people are our biggest asset and greatest hope," CBCI First Vice President, Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay, told 163 bishops attending the Feb. 24-March 3 biennial plenary.

The assembly's major theme is Youth for Peace and Harmony.

Cardinal Gracias, who is chairing the plenary as CBCI president Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil is unwell, said the conference had in the past focused on pastorally important initiatives but had ignored the youth so far.

"The Church has now realized the necessity to involve youth in its activities" as surveys show some 40 percent of the Indian population is now below 20 and their number is increasing.

The cardinal described India's youth as "highly talented, generous, committed, patient and idealistic" people on whom society depends to correct some of its deviations.

The Church official regretted that corruption pervades all sections of society and said only the youth can now bring probity in public life.

The cardinal said the Church wants to help the youth to translate their ideals into action. It also wants young people to fill churches and energize liturgies and services.

In a message to the assembly, Cardinal Vithayathil noted a "paradigm shift" in modern youth's world view. He regretted that young people are now getting less involved in social causes and seldom protest social injustices.

"They are becoming a silent and self-centered generation hooked on success in career and life," the CBCI president's message noted.

The cardinal also cautioned that if the trend continues, the youth would become "easy prey" to consumer values and "a hedonistic outlook on life." He urged the bishops to identify ways to help "our youth" remain rooted in their Christian identity and culture.

The embracing of certain current lifestyles by youths will result in the corrosion of "their Christian perspectives on faith and morals," he added.

Monsignor Chibuike Onyeaghala, charge d'affaires in the apostolic nunciature, called for a new evangelization to help young people discover God and engage in interreligious activities.

He said the Church has to help people, especially youths, understand realities. "The Church in India should encourage the youth to get involved in a dialogue of life," he added.