By Felix Anthony

Guwahati, September 1, 2019: The annual meeting of the Regional Pastoral Conference of North East India concluded September 1 with a resolution to orient the youth to work for better Church and Society

The three-day event at Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, Guwahati, saw the participation of all the bishops, priests, women Religious and around 150 youth and lay delegates from the 15 dioceses of the seven states of northeastern India.

They addressed the theme “Responsible Youth Leaders for a Better Church and Society” in the context of the challenges the youth face today and its implications to society.

Monsignor Patrick Saw Zay Han, first secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature in India who represented the Apostolic Nuncio at the conference, noted that theme resonated the message of Christus Vivit (Christ lives), the latest apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis to the young people of the world.

Monsignor Han also expressed the hope that the Church in the region would take proper measures to implement the conference suggestions to generate better leadership for the Church and society.

The conference called for immediate attention to social media addiction, crisis of faith, lack of positive relationship in the family, unemployment, early marriage and other challenges that affect young people in the region.

Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong, president of the North East Regional Bishops’ Council, opened the conference and called for open-mindedness and a spirit of acceptance among those engaged in Youth ministry. “Youth ministry should not be limited to familiar space but go to popular space where young people already are,” the Salesian prelate said.

Delivering the opening address Salesian Father Jerry Thomas called for forming a large group of young people, who cannot be manipulated but stand firmly on the side of good, to make a better Church and Society.

Becare Me o Nongtdu, the North East Regional Youth president, called on those engaged in youth ministry to take the youth seriously and to trust them untiringly to tap their immense creative potency.

The conference elected office-bearers of North East India Regional Catholic Council.