Archbishop Menamparampil Urges Mission-Centred Witness Amid Social and Cultural Challenges

Guwahati,Feb 3, 2026: Calling for a spirit-filled and mission-oriented response to contemporary realities, His Grace Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil SDB delivered a strong inaugural address at the general assembly of the National CRI ( priests- section) highlighting the urgent need to proclaim Christ amid social confusion, inequality and growing intolerance.

Speaking on the global context, Archbishop Menamparampil, quoting Pope Leo XIV, said that announcing Christ today requires courage and clarity in a world that is increasingly “confusing and noisy.” He stressed that faith cannot retreat into silence in the face of uncertainty and moral disorientation.

Turning to the Indian context, the Archbishop expressed concern over the widening gap between the rich and the poor, noting the persistent marginalisation of tribal communities. He observed that tribal peoples have long been dispossessed of their land, identity and value systems, a process that, he said, continues in various forms even today.

Reflecting on social divisions, he referred to historical structures that kept lower castes fragmented, enabling the continuation of inequality. He also cautioned that in contemporary India, individuals who question injustice or expose uncomfortable truths are often branded as anti-national or anti-religious, creating an atmosphere where critical voices are silenced. “When intellectuals are sidelined,” he warned, “insanity takes over.”

Addressing missionary challenges, Archbishop Menamparampil said that no sincere person can remain indifferent to the pressing problems of society. He called on religious priests to engage reality with open eyes and compassionate hearts, learning to accept and respect cultures while remaining faithful to their mission.

He underlined the responsibility to share faith even in difficult and adverse situations, urging religious priests to be “salt of the earth” by offering ethical and spiritual witness within the secular sphere. Such presence, he said, must be marked by integrity, dialogue and courageous commitment to human dignity.

The Archbishop’s address set a reflective and challenging tone, inviting major Superiors to respond creatively and prophetically to the demands of the present time while remaining rooted in their spiritual and missionary calling.

By Catholic Connect Reporter