Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tura (Agenzia Fides) – Bishop Andrew Marak of Tura (the Indian state of Meghalaya) was born, lives, and exercises his ministry in northeastern India, in a mountainous area that is covered with forests, which are inhabited by hundreds of tribes who are often at war with one another. The area itself is a cause for instability in the nation and there are often conflicts reported in various northeastern states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The recent terrorist attacks have caused panic among the people of Guwahati, in Assam, and are the most recent evidence of the heated social, political, and ethnic conflict that has broken out in the tribal zones of the northeastern part of the country.
In this delicate and complex situation, is Bishop Marak, who was appointed just one year ago. He is a person who must act with great decision, foresight, and in a concrete manner. He is the first Indian Bishop from the “Garo” tribe, which is a numerous group in the area. Thus, he has an insider's perspective on tribal life, their mentality, problems, expectations, conflicts, and the revenge that often arises between them. This experience that he holds will be “placed at the service of peace and the Church's mission,” the Bishop says in a colloquium with Agenzia Fides.
The situation in the diocese, as well as that in the state itself, he says, is one of generalized poverty: the majority of the inhabitants belong to tribes, live in poverty, and lack the most basic services, such as education. “The most urgent need is the development of our people, which implies their access to education, healthcare, social-economic emancipation. The Church places herself at the service of the human person in his entirety. Thus, the faith has grown a lot in the area and we can see a clear increase in the number of priests and parishes. Today, in fact, several of the parishes include over 150 towns in their parish alone. In the Diocese of Tura, there are 46 priests ministering. They are supported with the help of religious priests and brothers, over 200 religious sisters, and above all, lay catechists (over 1200), who are all necessary in helping to organize the various pastoral activities in the Diocese, including catechesis, liturgy, and works of charity. We are constantly praying that the Lord will send more laborers into his harvest.”
The diocese's pastoral activity is carried out with a strong concentration in the area of education (the Church runs 86 primary schools, 7 secondary schools, 26 high schools, and 39 all-boys' schools and 41 all-girls' schools) and in the area of social services (there is a hospital, a clinic, a leprosy colony, a home for the elderly, and two residencies for the mentally handicapped). “The Church is the main source for education among the tribal peoples,” the Bishop says, noting that “we try to encourage the youth and the laity, especially, to take an active role in the mission. The Indian Catholic Youth Movement is especially alive and working in the diocese. The laity take care of the catechism classes, the prayer meetings, the Bible Studies, etc. in the most remote towns, and help the faithful in preparation for the sacraments.”
“However, our future depends on the new vocations to the priesthood and religious life. This is our priority.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/11/2008)
