Northeast Dioceses Unite to Empower Laity

Assam, October 7, 2024: Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao opened the recent convention for leaders from the dioceses of Dibrugarh, Itanagar, Miao, and Tezpur, emphasizing the urgent responsibility of Christians in Asia, where only 2.5% of the Indian population identifies as Christian. He called for a missionary Church, inspiring participants to take action in promoting their faith. This pivotal event, held from October 1 to 3 at the Divine Retreat Centre in Margareta, Assam, attracted approximately 220 participants, including laity, religious sisters, and priests, all committed to enhancing the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) initiative across Northeast India.

Ms. Rekha and Ms. Anu, speakers from Jharkhand underscored the vital role of youth in driving initiatives and encouraged participants from the four dioceses to adopt similar models.

Participants recognized the importance of empowering laypeople to take the lead, emphasizing the need for clergy and religious figures to provide necessary training and support. Discussions centered on the vital role of priests in encouraging and backing laity, ensuring the successful implementation of BEC initiatives within parishes.

Fr. Avinash D’Mello from Itanagar remarked, “This historic gathering marked a significant collaboration among the four dioceses and set the stage for empowering lay leadership within the BECs, ensuring the vitality of the faith across Northeast India.”

By the end of the convention, each diocese established actionable plans with specific targets, reinforcing the Church’s commitment to fostering community and spiritual growth across the region.

By Fr. Kampan Chinnam