An interactive consultative meeting was organised to capture the regional aspirations and priorities of the Social Apostolate of Chhattisgarh on 13th August 2022 at Raipur. The participants reflected together on the continued partnership engagement in the post-Covid and post-FCRA Amendment scenarios.

Fr. Joseph Raj, the Regional Forum Director of Chhattisgarh initiated the meeting with a solemn prayer by seeking God’s divine presence to lead this meeting toward a fruitful outcome.

Welcoming the participants, Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India highlighted the importance of working with the Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSSs) for the Church’s mission of working for the poor. He reiterated that Caritas India, in collaboration with DSSS partners and Church institutions, is working on a mission. He further emphasized how best everyone can contribute towards strengthening the work of the Church.

Quoting from Ezekiel 18:2 of the Holy Bible, Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India said We have a role of a father who is a “provider, protector and leader.” He emphasised that each one should express the love and faith that the children have for their father. He further stated that we are going through several crises and challenges these days which he put forth as 3Cs i.e., COVID, Conflict & Climate. He urged everyone to be optimistic, to reflect together, and find solutions to the crisis by transforming the three Cs into three Ss: Solidarity, Social friendship, and Social justice. He also spoke in the context of Chhattisgarh emphasizing the reality of migration, nutrition status and health status for which he urged not to be pessimistic but to come together as a church to discuss, reflect and plan a way forward.

His Grace Archbishop Victor Henry Thakkur, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Raipur complemented the discussion and said everything is a relationship, including God. He stated that we are here to serve rather than be served. Service, according to Jesus, is very different, and thus the social wing is very important. Through DSSS, the social wing should spread the face of Jesus. He underlined that the DSSS are the Church’s eyes and ears in India and Chhattisgarh. He specially mentioned that there are various constraints in Chhattisgarh that require solidarity which can be accomplished through our commitment.

Speaking on the occasion, Most Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Kerketta (the Regional Chairman Bishop) emphasised that during the pandemic, everything came to a halt, there was job loss, unemployment, agricultural crisis, and children’s education suffered. All were traumatised to the extreme, people are still not aligned and their lives are still not normal. He also urged that everyone be served regardless of caste, creed, religion, or any other social or cultural barrier.

At this point, Mr. Nikhil, PMU Lead of Gram Nirman program operation in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh shared significant achievements in the program’s first year. Mr. Pahel also shreds the progress of the migration program progress of the first year. The DSSS Directors have acknowledged Caritas India’s contribution during COVID times and acknowledged Gram Nirman and migration initiatives but at the same time, advocated for closer collaboration for the benefit of the poor.

During the open house session, Fr. Paul reemphasized “Synergy”. He stressed synergizing the institutional, human, financial and knowledge resources. The closing session was marked by sharing the background of the upcoming diamond jubilee of Caritas India and seeking suggestions and support from DSSS partners by Fr. Paul.

The Regional Assembly concluded with a very positive note on exploring different ways of making the social apostolate of the church more impactful, promoting social movements and networks, make the region and diocese sustainable. A vote of thanks was extended to Archbishop, Regional Chairman, Forum Directors and DSSS directors for their active participation and engagement to take the ministry of the church ahead to love and serve the poor and marginalized.