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National Youth Conference inspires Indian Catholic students to serve society

Participants at the third National Youth Conference organized by the "Young Catholic Students Movement" and "Young Students Movement "(YCS/YSM) in Bangalore in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, May 25-30, 2022. (Photo supplied)

The third National Youth Conference organized by the "Young Catholic Students Movement" and "Young Students Movement "(YCS/YSM) in Bangalore in the southern Indian state of Karnataka inspires participants to serve church and society.  

The theme of the convention is: “Young people for youthful life - personal identity, education and a new society.”

Speaking on the occasion, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore urged participants to contribute their ideas, energy and time for the common good in India and avail themselves of the spread of the Gospel.

As many as 220 students across India are participating in the May 25-30 event.

In his talk, Father Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI (Conference of Catholic Bishops of India), shared examples of many Indian saints who lived the ideals of Jesus.

He called upon the students to be "modern saints".

Father Chethan Machado, National Chaplain of YCS/YSM, Father Anil D'Sa, Executive Secretary of the Youth Commission of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, and other priests and lay leaders involved in youth ministry in India are attending the conference. 

K. Mathai Kas, a former officer of the Indian Air Force, who, in the course of his service, was transferred 28 times, spoke during the conference and raised the issues of embezzlement and corruption in government.  

He also filed a petition before the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission. Kas spoke before the youth assembly, by appealing to the spirit of patriotism, arguing that young people are "the first and true promoters of truth and justice.”

As part of the conference, the students were taken to ten different locations in Bangalore, to experience pastoral and social service, putting into practice the “see, judge, act” methodology.

The students had a fruitful experience of cultural exchange, meeting people from the different regions, cultures, languages and ethnic groups of India, in an atmosphere of friendship and fraternity. – With inputs from Agenzia Fides 

 

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