About 38 members in charge of Tribal affairs from different dioceses in India participated in a national conference organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) on Oct. 30 to 31 in New Delhi.
Under the banner, "Tribals Towards Unity, Equity and Sustainable Development with Human Rights Approaches," the CBCI office for Tribal affairs provided orientation to the participants.
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX, CBCI secretary general said the "existence of Tribal community is at stake and it is a time to wake up from our sleep."
After highlighting several problems the Tribal community is facing, he called the participants to introspect the situation and also challenged them to have passion for the cause of tribals.
He also urged the clergy, religious and laity to be aware of the rights of tribals and other human rights.
Among the panelists were Fr Fredrick D'Souza, director, Caritas India, Fr Joseph Manipadam, secretary CBCI office for education and culture, Fr Devsagayaraj, secretary, CBCI office for SC & BC and Dr M.P. Raju an eminent lawyer in the Supreme Court.
They explained the nuanced interplay of power, politics and economic forces that further sideline the tribals.
