AICU 7th Working Committee Meeting held
Dimapur, May 27 (MExN): The All India Catholic Union 7th Working Committee Meeting (WCM) a three day meeting started at Don Bosco Institute for Development and Leadership (DIBDL) Dimapur on May 25.
Around 50 delegates from outside and 60 from Nagaland registered for the meeting.
The WCM was hosted by the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) as Catholic Laity Association of Nagaland.
It was inaugurated by Rev. Dr. Gerald John Mathias, the Bishop of Lucknow Diocese and Chairman for the Laity CCBI as the Chief Conferrer.
The WCM was also graced by Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Kohima Diocese and Dr. John Dayal, Social Activist and Former National President of AICU as Special Conferrer.
The National President of All India Catholic Union (AICU) Lancy D’ Cunha was the main presider of the inaugural programme.
Celebrating the inaugural Holy Mass, Rev. Dr. Mathias in his homily stressed on the working of the power of the Holy Spirit in the present day churches.
“Become authentic witnesses of the Gospel and be more of a witnessing person than the example or preachers,” he exhorted.
In the second session chaired by Johnny Ruangmei, OSD Disaster Management, Govt. of Nagaland, the Chief Conferrer exhorted the gathering based on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate [Rejoice and be Glad (Mt. 5:12)], or ‘call to holiness in today’s world.’
The Bishop of Lucknow also recollected the Pope reminder that the Lord “wants us to be saints and not to settle for a bland and mediocre existence (No. 1)” and “to repurpose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities (No. 2).”
He further explained more about growing and becoming holy with the words of the Holy Father who explains the Beatitudes.
“The Beatitudes are like a Christian identity card.... In the Beatitudes, we find a portrait of the Master, which we are called to reflect in our daily lives.”
Dr. Mathias also encouraged the Laity gathered to be “witnesses and living Beatitudes to grow in holiness and stand strong in the times of struggle and difficulties.”
Bishop James Thoppil, while speaking on the occasion acknowledged the contribution of Catholic Laity Association in Nagaland for the growth of the Church.
He specially mentioned that the Catholics faithful have made a long head way for the missionary and opined that the church in Nagaland is a Laity led Church.
He also encouraged the delegates of AICU to be the forerunner of integrity in the society.
During the interactive session Dr. Dayal, and Elias T Lotha, Commissioner Transport, Govt. of Nagaland were the speakers.
Dr. Dayal, the Special Conferrer, stressed on the current trend in the country and called upon the gathering to be aware and knowledgeable about the facts.
The latter elucidated on the topic, “Understanding the Uniform Civil Code and similar Laws.” Lotha also substantiated the former speaker by emphasising on the freedom to develop advocacy in the society.
The question and answer session followed the presentations from the speakers and the AICU National Vice President presented the concluding remark of the session.
According to a press release, the AICU, established in 1919, is registered under Societies Registration Act 1860 and it is the representative of the Catholic Laity of India with affiliated units nationwide.
“AICU is a democratic federation with affiliated Catholic Associations across the Diocese/Districts in India,” it said.
It is a non- political body, and it seeks to represent and strengthen the Catholic Community and country, in the socio-religious, political, and economic fields, it added.
Earlier, Dr. N. Simon Dzüvichü, President CAN, accorded the words of welcome to all the special guests and delegates.
