National Seminar Calls for Greater Lay Participation in Church Mission

Shillong, September 12, 2026: Nearly 350 clergy, religious, theologians, seminarians and lay leaders from across India gathered at Sacred Heart Theological College (SHTC), Mawlai, Shillong, for a two-day national seminar that called for greater co-responsibility of the laity in the mission of the Church.

Held on September 11 and 12 on the theme “The Laity: Partners in the Church’s Mission,” the seminar was jointly organised by SHTC and the Oriens Theological Institute.

The seminar opened with prayer led by SHTC Rector Fr. Sunil Barla SDB, followed by a welcome address by the seminar coordinator, Fr. George Maliekal SDB. Chief guest Fr. Robinson Teron and keynote speaker Dr. Vincent T. Darlong, former Vice-Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University, were felicitated during the inaugural session.

Addressing the gathering, Fr. Teron stressed the need to recognise the contribution of lay people and equip them to become authentic and co-responsible partners in the Church’s mission.

In his keynote address, “Laity – Partners in the Church’s Mission: From Participation to Co-Responsibility in the Context of the Church in Northeast India,” Dr.Darlong highlighted the contribution of catechists, women and young people to the growth and sustenance of the Church, particularly in remote areas of Northeast India.

He called for greater formation, trust and collaboration between clergy and laity, while cautioning against clericalism.

Exploring the vocation of the laity

The first sessions examined the role of lay people from biblical, doctrinal, ecclesial and historical perspectives. Resource persons included Bros Benjamin Ezung, Raplang Suphai and Sumit Kujur of the Oriens Theological Institute, along with Bros Hubert T. Lyngdoh and Moses K. Mosohrii of SHTC.

Fr. Arul Kumar Sebastian SDB later addressed the rights and responsibilities of the laity under the Code of Canon Law and in the context of the reform of the Roman Curia.

A case study on “The Contribution of the Laity in the Planting and Growth of the Church in Arunachal Pradesh” brought the first day to a close. Jeremai Krong of Tezu shared her personal experience of the Church’s growth in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly during periods when priests and missionaries were unable to enter the region and Christians faced persecution.

Her testimony highlighted how the Church in Arunachal Pradesh developed in significant ways as a “Church of the laity”, sustained by the faith and commitment of lay people.

Focus on lay apostolate and synodal structures

The second day focused on Third Orders, Salesian Cooperators, lay groups and associations, various forms of lay apostolate and synodal structures. Mrs. Naomi Lyngdoh and Mr. Bederius Shylla served as resource persons for the sessions.

Summing up the seminar, senior professor Fr. Edmund Gomes SDB outlined several possible areas for action and encouraged participants to translate the seminar’s reflections into concrete initiatives.

SHTC student Sr. Ribha Suja FMA proposed the vote of thanks, while Fr. Jose Palakeel MST led the concluding prayer and blessing.

A central message emerging from the seminar was that the Church’s mission is not the responsibility of clergy alone. By virtue of baptism, every member of the Church has a vocation and a genuine responsibility to participate in its mission.

The seminar therefore called for a Church in which clergy and laity work together in a spirit of trust, collaboration and shared responsibility.

By Catholic Connect Reporter