North East CRI Pledges Commitment to Mission 2033 Pastoral Plan

Guwahati, August 31, 2025 — The North East Conference of Religious of India (CRI) has pledged to actively implement the CCBI Pastoral Plan for Mission 2033, opening new pathways of evangelisation across the region.

The commitment was announced at the 44th General Assembly of the North East CRI, held at the NEDSSS Social Forum in Guwahati from August 30 to September 1. The assembly brought together 115 participants from 98 congregations, including major superiors, provincials, and delegates, under the theme “Religious as Pilgrims of Hope to the Marginalised and Downtrodden in the North East.”

Fr. Charles Leon, Executive Secretary of the CCBI VSCR Commission, led the sessions by outlining the vision, priorities, and methodology of the Pastoral Plan, with a strong focus on vocations and formation. Fr. Amal Raj, RDS of the North East, reflected on the journey of Mission 2033 and urged participants to embrace new approaches to evangelisation. The sessions were coordinated by Fr. Saju Chakkalakal CMI, National President of CRI, and Sr. Teresa Joseph, Secretary of North East CRI.

Mission 2033, an initiative of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), is a nationwide movement to renew the Church’s mission of evangelisation, service, and communion in preparation for the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. It calls dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, and lay communities to journey together in faith and synodality.

Central to the Guwahati assembly was the VSCR Plan, which emphasises:

• Fostering a culture of vocations by accompanying young people.
• Strengthening integral formation to nurture missionary disciples rooted in spirituality, pastoral competence, and cultural sensitivity.
• Deepening ongoing formation to renew clergy and religious in prayer, community life, and pastoral service.

Through spiritual conversations and discernment in 10 groups, participants identified new pathways for evangelisation in the North East, highlighting lay empowerment, holistic human development, collaborative leadership, and closer accompaniment of the faithful.

The assembly underscored that Mission 2033 is not just a strategic plan but a spiritual pilgrimage—walking with the marginalised and witnessing to the Gospel through love, justice, and hope.

Concluding the first day, participants pledged to guide their congregations and ministries in building inclusive, transformative communities. They envisioned a Church in the North East that, by 2033, will be synodal, participatory, Spirit-filled, and enriched with renewed missionary disciples—clergy, religious, and laity—working together for the Kingdom of God.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

Download Catholic Connect App for Daily News Updates: 

Android: Click here to download

iOS: Click here to download