The biannual meeting of the Regional Catholic Council of the North was held on March 15-16 at Gianodaya, Lidhran, Jalandhar, in the northern Indian state of Punjab.
Bishops from across the region, regional commission secretaries, youth representatives, and lay delegates participated in the event.
The meeting focused on the theme "Pilgrims of Hope: Cry of the Mother Earth (Laudato Si’)," with expert presentations by Dr. Haridas and Sr. Jyotisha Kannamkal, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame. She has been working with the most vulnerable communities in India.
The first day featured in-depth discussions on ecology, inspired by Laudato Si’, highlighting the need for immediate action to preserve the environment. Each diocese formulated specific action plans for implementation.
Laudato Si' (2015) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis, subtitled "On Care for Our Common Home." In it, the Pope criticizes consumerism and irresponsible economic development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people to take swift and unified global action.
On the second day of the meeting, the Regional Commission Secretaries presented reports on their respective commissions' activities. The secretaries were directed to organize a minimum of two regional programs annually, and each diocese developed a creative activity plan for the coming year.
Five bishops and 68 delegates, including priests, religious, and lay faithful from the Archdiocese of Delhi, Jalandhar, Jammu, and Shimla-Chandigarh, participated in the event.
In his concluding message, Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto of Delhi reminded the gathering, saying, “Instead of cursing the darkness, we are called to light a candle.”
His words served as a beacon of inspiration, urging the Church to take concrete steps in addressing ecological concerns rather than lamenting the crisis. This call to action resonated deeply with the assembly, reinforcing the need for commitment, collaboration, and faith-driven stewardship of creation.
The meeting resulted in an action plan focusing on ecological responsibility and sustainable development, in alignment with Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home.
Key initiatives were planned to undertake.
- Promoting eco-friendly practices—Tree planting, waste management, and reducing carbon footprints in diocesan institutions.
- Education and awareness on Laudato Si’—Workshops, catechism programs, and social media awareness campaigns.
- Encouraging sustainable living—Organic farming, renewable energy use, and water conservation.
- Strengthening community engagement—Collaborations with youth groups, eco-clubs, and local organizations.
- Integrating ecological concerns in pastoral ministry—Eco-friendly liturgies, Laudato Si’ Week observance, and responsible consumption.
The prelates—Archbishop Couto, Bishop Ivan Pereira, Bishop Agnelo Gracias, and Bishop Ignatius Mascarenhas—led the discussions, ensuring that these initiatives will be implemented across the Archdiocese of Delhi, Jalandhar, Jammu, and Shimla-Chandigarh.
This gathering was not just a reflection on the environmental crisis, but a firm resolve to act as "Pilgrims of Hope," walking together towards a more sustainable and compassionate future.
The two-day program was meticulously organized under the esteemed leadership of Father Antony Thuruthil, deputy secretary of the North Region, and his dedicated team.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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