Church leaders push for lay partnership at Shillong seminar

Shillong: A two-day national seminar wrapped up Saturday at the Sacred Heart Theological College in Mawlai. Nearly 350 theologians, clergy, and lay leaders from across India attended the event. The gathering focused on shifting the Church from simple participation to active co-responsibility. It was a joint effort between SHTC and the Oriens Theological Institute.

Chief guest Rev. Fr. Dr. Robinson Teron pushed for the recognition of lay members as true partners. Dr. Vincent T. Darlong, the former Vice-Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University, delivered the keynote. He noted the heavy lifting done by catechists, youths, and women in the remote Northeast. Darlong demanded more trust to kill off clericalism. He said, "The mission of the Church is a shared responsibility of all baptised members, rather than the exclusive domain of the clergy."

Attendees looked at doctrine, history, and the Bible. Jeremai Krong shared a case study on Arunachal Pradesh. She explained how the institution survived as a Church of the laity while missionaries were barred from the region. Legal expert Rev. Fr. Dr. Arul Kumar Sebastian laid out the rights and duties found in the Code of Canon Law and Roman Curia reforms.

The final day targeted practical application. Naomi Lyngdoh and Bederius Shylla led talks on synodal frameworks, Salesian Cooperators, and lay apostolates. Rev. Fr. Dr. Edmund Gomes wrapped up the event. Other notable participants included Rector Rev. Fr. Sunil Barla, Rev. Fr. Dr. George Maliekal, and Rev. Fr. Dr. Jose Palakeel.