North East India Regional Pastoral Conference 2024

Commemorating the Silver Jubilee of the Papal Encyclical Ecclesia in Asia (November 1999-2024) North East India Regional Pastoral Conference 2024 was held in Guwahati from 26-29 August 2024 with the theme Evangelisation in North East by Revisiting Ecclesia in Asia.

The conference was planned and organized by the Regional Office of Proclamation and Evangelisation headed by Rt Rev. George Palliparambil, Bishop of Miao. There were about 250 participants including all Archbishops/Bishops of the NE region, Major Superiors of the Congregations working in the region, Diocesan representatives, subject experts and special invitees.

The conference discussed in Synodal style the present situation of NE India and the major obstacles to evangelisation and Proclamation of the Gospel. Unlike many other Papal Encyclicals which are discussed and studied at length at various levels, EA didn't receive the required attention subsequent in-depth study in India due to the timing of its release in Delhi which coincided with the preparation for the new millennium. As a result we have not really lived the spirit of the document in our pastoral initiatives.

At the end of the conference, the participants resolved to "fire the flame" of Evangelisation efforts by increasing the frequency of family visits and focussing on grass root level catechesis.

Fr Joby Mathew represented the Province at the Conference. "It was a great opportunity to understand the pastoral needs of NE and design apostolic initiatives to address them", said Fr Joby. He further expressed his satisfaction at  interacting with all the Bishops of NE which will surely enhance the growth of our apostolate.

Fr Jeffrey and Fr Damiyen representing ST PAULS North East, our YouTube Channel, covered the event and captured the highlights.

Fr Jeffrey@Guwahati