ASIA/INDIA - The Church and youth, an emerging force in the country: Bishops examine

Guwahati (Agenzia Fides) – 47% of India's population consists of young people under age 20 and the percentage will rise to 22% in 2015. This makes for about 500 million young people who are seeking meaning in their lives, awaiting the proclamation of the Gospel, hoping to find a life plan that leads them to happiness. This is the starting point for the sessions being held by the Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), which until March 3 will be gathered in Guwahati, the state of Assam (Northeast India), for its annual meeting.
The Bishops devoted the Assembly to the topic of "The Church and Youth", which was addressed in several speeches, displayed by sociologists and theologians. "Young People in the Emerging India: Challenges and Possibilities" by Adrian Rosario, "Youth for Peace and Harmony” by Joseph Abrahm, "Youth and Spirituality" by Sister Maria Sangma, "Youth and Public Life" by Manoj Krisumakal, and "The Young and Migration", by Barbara Sangma.
In recent years, the Bishops have touched upon such issues as "Women in the Church," "Communication," "Dialogue." Fr. Babu Joseph, spokesman of the Bishops' Conference says that this year they are discussing the theme of young people because, as he tells Fides, "this is really an issue central to the life of the Church in India, as they [the youth] are the emerging force in the Church and across the nation. The Bishops will study the opportunities and challenges they face, how to enter into dialogue with them and what to tell them."
The Conference was preceded by a survey conducted among young Indian Catholics in every diocese. The results of the study, which were sent to Fides, show that about 75% of young Catholics live in rural areas. The issues that they are facing are common to all other young Indians: education, work, social commitments, working with new technologies, and consumerism, which lays its traps.
On the religious aspects, the survey shows that young people find considerable support in the Church and enjoy forming part of youth groups (almost all young Catholics in India belong to a Church youth movement) and participate enthusiastically in community life and pastoral activities . Over 65% of them live the Eucharist/the Mass as "an important moment of spiritual growth" and a vast majority would like to see adult models of Christian life in the world, like Mother Teresa, who inspires them and to whom they make reference.
From this base, the Indian Bishops began their reflection and discussion. At the end of the Assembly, a document will be drawn up regarding general guidelines and strategies for youth ministry at a national level. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/2/2010)