东北部教会的教友人数和圣召日益增长

作者 mons. Thomas Menamparampil*

托马斯∙梅南帕兰皮尔总主教回顾了印度东北部120年的传教历程。这里的“青年公教团体”几乎有200万名成员。当地2,780万名基督徒，占人口的2.3%。教会的管理“从外籍人士过渡到了印度人手中。近年来，一些原住民也加入了管理教会的行列”。天主教徒们“为自己的信仰感到骄傲，不会羞于与他人分享信仰”

贾瓦伊（亚洲新闻）—“印度东北部地区的天主教会正在迅速发展壮大、成为国内基督徒群体中人数最大的一股力量。这是显而易见的”。印度东北部阿萨姆邦古瓦哈蒂总主教区荣休总主教、贾瓦伊教区（梅加拉雅邦）宗座署理、慈幼会会士托马斯∙梅南帕兰皮尔向亚洲新闻通讯社这样介绍了印度天主教会在这一充斥着部落冲突与武装纷争地区120年的传教历程。总主教强调，逐渐的，“教会领导责任从外籍人过渡到了印度人手中。近年来，一些原住民也加入了管理教会的行列”。今天，更加令人骄傲的是这里有一个几乎由200万名成员组成的公教青年团体。据二O一一年宗教人口普查统计，当地2,780万名基督徒，占人口的2.3%

梅南帕兰皮尔总主教也是缓解地区武装冲突的主要对话协调人。多年来，默默的为地区重返和平耕耘着。十月二十三日第九十届世界传教节之际，总主教为我们介绍了地区传教见证。

It is becoming more and more evident that the Church of Northeast India is fast emerging as a major force among the Christian believers in the country. The young Catholic community which is just over a hundred and twenty years old is close to two million members. They are grateful to their earlier missionaries from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Ireland and other countries for the spirit they have left behind.

The leadership of the Church has moved from foreign hands to Indian hands, from Indian hands to indigenous hands. The recent appointment of Bishop Victor Lyngdoh as the new Bishop of Jowai marks new significant step. He has already been doing an amazing amount of work at Nongstoin, many opportunities wait for him at his new assignment.

Mostly composed of members of ethnic minorities, which in India are called tribal communities, the Catholic community of Northeast India has brought their spiritual genius into the Church to the edification of older believers in other parts of the country.

The encouraging fact is that vocations to priesthood and religious life are rising in this part of the world. This young Church has two theological centres, several institutions for the study of philosophy, and increasing number of houses for religious formation. Religious publications are rising, theological reflection is deepening, inculturation efforts are diversifying; and what is most important of all, people are proud of their faith and are not ashamed to share it with others. While they celebrate the Mission Sunday with enthusiasm, they believe that every Sunday is a mission Sunday and every day a day for evangelization.