The Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) organized a one-day consultative meeting on 12 August 2023 where its members deliberated on pressing issues as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Manipur Crisis, the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India and the Naga Political issue, CAN president Johnny Raungmei and General Secretary Teisovi Gerard Meyase informed in a statement.
They also stated that during the meeting held under the theme “Reading the Signs of the Times” and led by the Most Rev. Bishop James Thoppil who also stated that de-generated democratic system, where majority-oriented democracy and rights should be shunned. The monoculture of unequal treatment of the equal has no place to implant in the society.
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The following conclusions were made at the consultative meeting:
Uniform Civil Code
The Catholic Church of Nagaland opposes UCC stating that it is an “attempt to supplant our society to another society infringing the very nature of the inherent rights of the local community.” UCC is neither necessary nor desirable, CAN said while appealing the Government of Nagaland to take an absolute resolution in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to oppose the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Manipur Violence
CAN denounced the dehumanizing acts being committed in strife torn Manipur and urged the state government to take “steps and measures to shun and prevent such inhuman conflicts to happen in the State which will dehumanize the wellbeing of each person in every dimension: economic, political, social, ecological, and spiritual.”
Register of the Inhabitants of Indigenous of Nagaland
On RIIN, the Catholic Association of Nagaland acknowledged the policy initiatives of the government while as implored it to be prudent with abundance precaution while charting and enacting laws and policies, which directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. “We further urge the Government to pursue policies that is centered upon the human person to flourish in its full dignity”, CAN added.
Article 371(A)
CAN beseeches the Government of Nagaland and its machineries to further the understandings on the proviso of Article 371(A) while embarking upon on the various issues relating to the Article.
Naga Political issue
CAN appealed every Naga concerned “to build a culture of collective thinking rather than patronizing an individual idea.”
“In this context the Catholic Church of Nagaland appeal all citizens of Nagaland to understand and recognize the battle for TRUTH rather than conforming to UNHOLY prevailing majority opinions. Every Catholic Church member in the State could articulate the inner happenings of the Naga society for right discernment of the community development envisioning COMMON GOOD in Nagaland,” it added.
The resource persons for the one-day consultative discourse were Elias R. Vaz, the President of the All India Catholic Union, Johnny Ruangmei, the President of Catholic Association of Nagaland, Elias T. Lotha, the Advisor Catholic Association of Nagaland and Jonas Yanthan, Advisor, CAN.
The sessions were moderated by Dr. Kekhrieseno Christina, Associate Professor, Kohima College and Dr Richard Dzüvichü, Assistant Professor, Kohima Science College. The sessions were also enlightened by Rev. Fr. G.L Khing, Vice Principal, NEISSR on the Uniform Civil Code.
