Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangalore (Fides Service) - The poor and marginalised peoples will benefit from a new thrust in the field of Catholic education in India. This was decided by the Catholic Bishops of India during a recent assembly Bangalore, capital of Karnataka state, 8 to 15 February. The Bishop members of the Conference are of three Catholic rites, Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara The general assembly held twice a year offers the Bishops an important opportunity for in depth analysis, reflection and planning..
The topics chosen for 2006 highlight two areas in which the Catholic community in India has always been fully committed: education, guaranteed by numerous Catholic schools of all grades and with a high percentage of non Christian pupils; and secondly following the example of one of India’s most famous adopted daughters Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, loving care for marginalised people, abandoned in their poverty on the margins of Indian society.
In his address to the assembly Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati in Assam state, north east India said: “Tribals, Dalit, women, all socially and economically oppressed people of whatever creed or culture, the disabled, the poor must be given priority in the Church’s commitment to promoting instruction and all round education”.
“The Church strives to help every person develop his or her potential and acquire integral, human, cultural and spiritual formation for their personal good and for the good of society”, he said.
In India many categories of people are excluded from society because of the caste system, unemployment, lack of housing, forced women’s labour, forced child labour, religious extremism. The Church has a duty to work for human promotion for all people starting with education, the basis of wellbeing, balanced growth and development of individuals and society. Education is an essential part of the Church’s mission in India and everywhere in the world.
In agreement Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, President of the Bishops’ Conference who presided a solemn Mass at which 220 bishops and priests concelebrated and 15,000 Cathoilics including 1,200 Dalits took part. The Cardinal said “the Church in India continues to proclaim the Good News and offer her services of healthcare and education”. (Agenzia Fides 14/2/2006 righe 29 parole 288)
