The Conference of Religious India at the national level has initiated a mechanism to address the concerns of its members working in “difficult situations.”

Thousands of Religious are working for the poor and the marginalized in very difficult circumstances. A coordinated effort is needed to strengthen the efforts of individual congregations, said the Governing Body of the National CRI, which also functions as the Core Committee.

The committee met in New Delhi on Aug 8.

The structures proposed include a national council of consulters and a chief executive organizer. Definitive strategies are being worked out in making the process effective.

A Format has gone out to the Major Superiors of India as a first step to mobilize personnel and to assess the existing commitments. Policy decisions have been made to mobilize local funds to help the needy and promote commitment to the weaker sections.

A second line of action is carrying forward the process of studying the media initiatives proposed by the Leadership Conference 2009.

The Catholic Church in India should have a good media presence in her life and mission is continuing to be a strong conviction and the way forward is being considered by an ad-hoc committee set up for the purpose.

The Core Committee also scrutinized the functioning of the National Secretariat and took initiatives to act as an interim launching pad to make the organization more dynamic and effective.

Concluding the meeting, one of the participants said, “there is great sense of fulfillment after participating in an action oriented meeting.”

The meeting was presided over by Montfort Brother K.M. Joseph, the President of National CRI. The other members of the Core Committee are Holy Family Sister Prasanna Thattil, Carmelite of Mary Immaculate Father Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, Notre Dame Sister Sreeja, Jesuit Father John Ari and Montfort Brother Mani Mekkunnel.

Report by Brother Mani Mekkunnel, CRI

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