Bangalore (AsiaNews) – "Education is the key to progress. [It is] a mission and not merely an occupation,"said Mgr Telesphore Cardinal Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi, at the opening session of the 27th general assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) that is currently underway in Bangalore. This year "Catholic education and the Church's concern for the marginalised" are the focus of the biennial event.

In his opening speech, Card Toppo, who also chairs the CBCI, stressed the importance that "everyone—laity, religieux and clergy—share a common vision about our mission in education."

The prelate, who is also the first Indian Tribal Cardinal, explained that the Church has a role in democratising education in India.

"Our schools", he said, "are open to everyone, in particular to the poor and the marginalised, without any distinction of caste, colour or creed. And its contribution in the field of education has had a direct impact [on the country] at the social and cultural level".

The cardinal noted that "the Church has used education to open the horizons of knowledge to all, whereas up to the 19th century in India it was a guarded preserve of a small elite," adding that by "providing education to all, [. . .] the Church did much [. . .] in creating an awareness of the evils of caste discrimination and other social evils in the Indian society."

He concluded his speech by saying that "[b]ecause of education, it became possible for Dalits, Tribals and other weaker sections of the society to compete with the higher castes on more equal terms, including political participation".

Mgr Pedro Lopez Quintana, apostolic nuncio to India, also spoke on the first day of the general assembly. The Vatican envoy urged the bishops to promote "a greater and more fruitful inter-faith dialogue in the country, where Christians are still seen as foreign." He also made reference to Pope Benedict XVI's recent encyclical Deux Caritas Est, reminding the bishops that "it is through love for your people that your apostolic efforts will bear fruit".  

The general assembly is scheduled to close on February 15 and is expected to be attended by more than 160 bishops.

Overall, the CBCI has more than 200 members, including those belonging to the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankar traditions. (NC)