Shillong: 4 May 2023: In a significant academic event, Fr. Michael Lugun, a Salesian Catholic priest, successfully defended his thesis titled “The Contribution of Catechists in the Evangelizing Mission of the Church with a particular reference to Dibrugarh mission.” The defense took place on 4th May 2023 at an esteemed institution in Dibrugarh, Assam.
Under the guidance of Fr. Barnes Mawrie, also a Salesian priest, Fr. Michael Lugun’s research focused on the identity, role, and vocation of lay catechists. The study’s primary objective was to shed light on the often overlooked and underappreciated works of local catechists and acknowledge their valuable contributions to the Church’s evangelizing mission.
Speaking about the scope of his study, Fr. Michael Lugun expressed the need to recognize and appreciate the efforts of lay catechists who have dedicated their lives to the service of the Church. He highlighted the indispensable role played by catechists in assisting priests and missionaries in spreading the Gospel and forming the faith of communities, especially in regions like Northeast India.
The methodology employed in this theological-empirical study included elements of interviews, observation, reflection, and assessment. Fr. Lugun emphasized the significance of understanding the divine vocation and charism of lay catechists and their essential role as apostolic witnesses in the Church’s evangelizing mission.
Fr. Michael Lugun’s research sought to rectify the limited attention given to the contributions of lay catechists compared to the recognition often accorded to missionaries. He reiterated the need to acknowledge and honour catechists as champion preachers of the Word and essential members of the Church who have been instrumental in spreading Christianity.
The defense highlighted how lay catechists have made an “outstanding and absolutely necessary contribution to the spread of the faith and the Church” in the context of mission work, as Pope John Paul II had acknowledged. Fr. Lugun also emphasized the unique opportunities and challenges that lay catechists face in their mission, being intimately involved in the lives of the communities they serve.
In conclusion, Fr. Michael Lugun emphasized the universality of Jesus’ mandate to proclaim the Good News and the crucial role of lay catechists in fulfilling this mission. He urged for a deeper understanding of the laity’s role beyond mere support to the Church, calling for their active engagement in the world to sanctify it according to God’s plan. Fr. Lugun also stressed the need for appropriate formation and qualities for effective catechists.
The successful defense of Fr. Michael Lugun’s thesis is an essential milestone in recognizing and appreciating the indispensable contribution of lay catechists in the evangelizing mission of the Church, especially in the Dibrugarh mission and Northeast India as a whole. Their commitment and dedication continue to play a significant role in spreading the Gospel and forming the faith of communities, thereby enriching the life of the Church in the region.
(IND Webmaster)
