The Gospel makes its way among the Garo peoples, thanks to the charisma of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

ASIA/INDIA - 

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Garo indigenous peoples of northeast India are evermore receptive to the message of the Gospel and are converting to Christianity. This is, at least in part, thanks to the charisma of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, which is for our community a great instrument of evangelization.” This is what Agenzia Fides was informed by Emeritus Bishop George Mamalessery of Tura, in telling the life and pastoral work in the Diocese, which is located in the state of Meghalaya, in northwestern India.
Bishop Mamalessery, who was traveling in Europe for pastoral reasons, has overseen the diocesan territory's (the city of Thakimagre, to be precise) installation of a multi-purpose center named after Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. The center includes a school, a polyclinic, a chapel, and a center for taking in abandoned children and for youth ministry.
There are currently nearly 240,000 Catholics in the diocese. The majority of them are of the Garo tribes that live in the remote areas. They are communities with animist beliefs, who have received the Good News from the missionaries or from Catholic lay volunteers. “The indigenous find the figure of Christ very attractive, especially in the fact that He is in full communion with God and this communion extends outwards to all humanity. The Church is growing rapidly among the Garo, thanks be to God,” the Bishops explained.
In the work of evangelization, “the figure of Padre Pio represents a valid instrument for evangelization. Padre Pio is a great gift that was given to our community and thanks to him, to his charisma, many become Christians.”
The situation of the diocese is that of a general poverty: the inhabitants are mainly tribe members. They live in poor conditions and lack basic services such as education. The urgent need is the development of the population, which means offering access to education, health assistance, and social and economic emancipation. The Church brings her message and her mission of integral service of the human person. Thus, the faith has greatly grown in the area.
In the Diocese of Tura, there are now 46 priests ministering. They are aided in the labor by over 1200 lay catechists who are essential in carrying out the pastoral activity of catechesis, liturgy, and charity. The pastoral work of the Diocese is carried out in a strong commitment to education and social services: the Church runs 86 primary schools, 7 secondary schools, and 26 high schools. 

(PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/7/2009)

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