Discussion on taking the responsibility of Sylhet Vicariate

Discussion on taking the responsibility of Sylhet Vicariate

Venue: Khadim Nagar, Date 28, 2010

Number of Participants: 22

Name of Participants: Fr Emil Moraes, Fr Angelo Martyn, Fr Rex Kulas, Fr Henry Rebeiro, Fr Joseph Gomes, Fr Subash Costa, Fr Dilip Sarkar, Fr Robi Rozario, Fr Ajit Costa, Fr Ranjit Costa, Fr Kajol Gomes, Bejoy Rebeiro, Fr Somor Dango, Fr Dipok Costa, Fr Dominic Rozario, Fr Sudhir Gomes, Fr Subash Gomes, Fr Soruj Costa. Fr Ripon Rozario, Fr Sagar Rozario, Fr Valentine Talang and Fr Pius Pohdueng.

Appointment of the Facilitator: Fr Emil Moraes OMI, the Delegation Superior, with the consent of 22 Oblates entrusted the facilitator responsibility with Fr Angelo Martyn OMI.

Process of Discussion: Each Oblate was given a sheet which was divided into 3 areas as: Strength, Weakness and Hope (see the format below). An hour long adoration of the Blessed Sacrament took place before the filling up the format by each Oblate. Then the whole house participated in open discussion while sharing their sentiments. The findings of the Oblates are scripted in the formate.

Voting: Of these 22 Oblates, 21 voted in favour of taking the responsibility of Sylhet region as a new vicariate and Fr Joseph Gomes OMI, remained abstain from voting.

Strength	Limitations	Hope
Strong community spirit and missionary zeal and spirit. Members can talk, discuss, decide and work collectively. Prayer, faith and hope and trust in God energize the members. Members are keen to uphold the Oblate identity and treasure the sense of belongingness. Members can interact among themselves in the midst of diversity. A good number of spirited young Oblates are a hopeful sign. Elderly and young Oblates together have made the community vibrant. Blessed with quite good infrastructures: 4 parishes, many sub-centres, 2 high schools and many primary schools, regional caritas office. Blessed with 2 Khasi Oblates, 2 Mandi Oblates and (1 Holy Cross Priest, 2 diocesan Priests, a few nuns, and many seminarians). Oblates maintain excellent connection with lay leaders, government officials, and laity. Oblate bears a strong witness to the different kinds of faiths. A huge virgin land of evangelization and plenty of catechumens. Christians and people of different faiths have accepted our presence and have given recognition of our labours. Vatican, Oblate General and Provincial administrations, Catholic Bishops Conference Bangladesh, and the laity have put their trust in us. Assurance of financial support by the Congregation of evangelization of peoples, support from Archdiocese for personnel and moral support. Laity is becoming more participative and responsible in evangelizing ministry, young generation is getting education. Oblates can take up the challenge collectively, courageously and through strong commitment. Oblates have been ministering in other dioceses and through this have gained new experiences. Oblates are engaged in human, social, spiritual development of the people and working hard for human rights. Oblates can journey with the people in the midst of their diversity. Oblates are ready to respond to the needs and stand by the people. Oblates are ready to sacrifice for the cause of people and for reaching out to the different faiths.  Oblates are hopeful to walk in hope and trusting in God. Oblates are ready to share the ministries with others. Typically it is an indigenous region.	Shortage of personnel experienced and qualified personnel. Financial constraint and local income sources are not properly exploited. Need more prayer, motivation to sacrifice, grow in community spirit and sharing, financial sufficiency, and infrastructures development. Laity are poor, landless, struggling for survival, deprive of education, victim of injustice, human rights and ownership of lands, loosing their cultural identity, language, heritage, and indigenous tradition and practices. Sense of individualism and misunderstanding, hesitate to face the challenges. Lack discernment, sharing, interest and understanding among the Oblates. Less experienced, efficient, skilled and qualified Oblates. Laity belongs to various ethnic groups and their religiosity, cultural heritage, traditional values and practices are not explored by the Oblates. Oblates have not learned the language of indigenous people. At present only 12 Oblates are engaged in Sylhet region. Lack clear concept among many Oblates about the erection of vicariate. Quite pre-mature move for the erection of vicariate. Not clear whether any consultation is done with the Holy Cross Fathers who have been ministering for a long time covering the half of the Sylhet region. Reaching out to the new groups for evangelization is very little. Not much is done for the preservation of indigenous culture, tradition, heritage and language. No contract or Memorandum of understanding is signed with the diocese. Need to work very hard for the training of future leaders, civil servants, skilled personnel, education and dedicated laity. No clear vision about future and its implications and lack badly infrastructures. Need to respect the ethos and cultural identity of the indigenous people.	Proclaiming the Good News is God’s work and we are only his humble collaborators. Invitation to us to be collaborators is purely God’s blessing, gift and immense grace. We are invited to go beyond our individualism and be active collaborators of universal Church. We must to be ready to sacrifice, strengthen our missionary zeal, identity and commitment.  We must be ready to render humble and Christ-like services to the people. A huge challenge for each Oblate and fraternal understanding, sharing, collaboration, humility and sacrificial strong commitment is needed. We are called to trust in God’s Gracious Providence and allow ourselves to be lead by the Holy guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are taking up an unknown challenge and risk and hoping for huge harvest. We are going to be entrusted a huge harvest for evangelization. Our prayer, trust, spirituality, commitment, missionary spirit and zeal, fraternity and communion with the people will energize us.

Fr Ajit Costa OMI