By Felix Anthony
Guwahati, Sept 16, 2022: The Catholic bishops in northeastern India have pledged to fight climate change in the region and care for God’s Creation.
This was done at the annual regional pastoral conference held at Jubilee Memorial Hall of North East Diocesan Social Service Society in Guwahati in Assam, the nerve center of the region.
Introducing the theme of the September 12-15 conference, Climate Change in North East India and Care for God’s Creation, the secretary general of North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC) Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima said, “One part of the country is going through severe drought and other part experiencing flood. This is happening because of our greed and the kinds of choices we have made.”
The conference, held after a gap of two years because of the pandemic, was attended by more than 150 participants from all the 15 dioceses of the region, including 13 bishops.
“As a result of this, the hills and plains have become barren and rivulets dried up, rains have become either too much or too little. When it rains the fertile soils are washed away due to flood, garbage is everywhere and life in towns is unhygienic, pollutants in the cities and towns flow freely into our rivers and water ways, pesticides and fertilizers are used widely and the water in the rivers has become dangerous for use for man, birds, fish and animals.”
Delivering the keynote address at the opening session, Auxiliary Bishop Allwyn D’Silva of Bombay urged the participants to enliven the faith through the restoration of ecological relationships. “We can see and are living through a time of increasing crisis of humanity. The reality of North East India is proof of the dangerous climate change reality in the country. We can ill afford to disregard this ecological crisis and climate change.”
The conference saw the presentation of scientific papers, panel discussion, group discussion and reporting on topics pertinent to the theme.
Professor Abani Kumar Bhagabati from Guwahati University presented a paper on the environmental issues and challenges in northeastern India and Professor Vincent T Darlong, Agricultural Scientist from Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong, spoke of pathways to conservation and caring for Mother Earth. Mukesh K. Srivastava, Assistant Professor at National Institute of Rural Development, Guwahati, dealt with soil and water conservation in the region and Ujjal Deka Baruah from the Department of Geography, Cotton University, Guwahati, highlighted the phenomenon of recurring floods and landslides in the region, their causes and preventive measures.
P J Lukose from Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, presented a vision for the Church to tackle the climate crisis in the region.
To understand the role and responsibility of the Church to address the concerns arising from climate change, papers were presented by environmentalists from the region.
Jesuit Father Robert Athickal, former director of Tarumitra Bio-reserve in Patna, Bihar, highlighted the significance of Laudato Si for northeastern India and a need for an eco-spirituality for our times. Salesian Father Andew Xavier, Green Promoter of Dimapur Salesian Province, presented practical tips for early habit formation in green living.
In the panel discussion on the conference theme, Fathers Chacko Karinthayal, director of Shalom Centre, Dimapur, John Paranmimalil, a Salesian and director of Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, Jose Kuzhikkattuthaze, a Divine Word priest who directs Sanskrit-North East Institute for Cultural Research, Guwahati, and Walter Fernandes, a Jesuit priest who directs North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati, discussed about climate change and response from the perspective of pastoral apostolate, educational apostolate, social apostolate and from the perspective of indigenous community.
During the evaluation at the end, the participants expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the deliberations. Sister Baiahunglang Nongklaw, head of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions’ Shillong province, said “I am so happy to be a part of such an enlightening conference. I will try to ensure that the learnings from this conference are implemented in our communities.”
Salesian Father Deli Kapani, a novice master from Nagaland, said, “I go back to my work place as an enlightened person. This conference has made me look at the Creation and the climate change in a different light. It is time for action now.”
Bishop John Thomas of Itanagar expressed the hope to take with them what they have learned from the “important conference that has relevance not just for North East India but to the whole world.”
Quoting Pope Francis, he urged the participants: “As we pledge to protect God’s creation, let us be protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.”