A retired Catholic archbishop in India has warned Church leaders to listen more closely to young people and take steps to strengthen the faith, before it’s too late.
Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, who once served in Guwahati, Assam, spoke to a large gathering on May 10 in Pravithanam, Kerala, where over 4,800 priests, brothers, and nuns had come together to celebrate their missionary work around the world. The event marked the platinum jubilee of the Diocese of Palai and included 17 bishops.
Archbishop Menamparampil cautioned that the Catholic Church in India may face the same challenges as the Church in Europe—where many parishes are without priests, churches are empty, and people have drifted away from the faith.
He said this could happen in India too, especially among the youth, if Church leaders do not take steps to resolve internal conflicts and show more care for the needs and voices of the faithful.
He pointed out that the Catholic Church in India was built by the hard work and sacrifice of missionaries, especially from Europe, who helped spread the faith and brought education and healthcare to those in need. But today, he said, countries that once sent missionaries are seeing a steep decline in church attendance.
"Sadly, the same signs are beginning to show in India, especially in Kerala,” he noted. Kerala, known for its strong Catholic population, is now seeing more young people stepping away from faith.
The archbishop believes this trend is partly due to weak faith formation at home and the influence of modern lifestyles and global culture. He emphasized that unless differences within the Church are resolved and people are truly heard, the mission of the Church will struggle.
“We need to listen more,” he said, adding that many people feel like the Church is not paying attention to their concerns. He especially urged Church leaders to understand and support young people, calling them the future of the Church.
“We have to change how we think about the youth. We must be willing to adapt and close the gap between generations,” he said.
Christians make up only 2.3% of India’s population of over 1.4 billion, while Hindus form the majority. However, in Kerala, Christians represent about 18% of the population, making it a key state for the future of the Catholic Church in India.
Despite current challenges, the archbishop’s message serves as a wake-up call and a reminder that action must be taken now to keep the Church strong and alive in the generations to come.
This article is a rewritten version of the original report published by UCA News.
