IMPHAL, December 18: If the youth are strong, the church will be strong and so will be the nation and family, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister, Francis Ngajokpa, said during the 5th Manipur Catholic Youth Convention at the Christ Jyoti School in Mantripukhri today.
The Manipur Catholic Youth Convention which started from Dec 17 and will conclude on Dec 20, is being organised by the Manipur Catholic Youth Organisation under the aegis of Central Organising Committee on the theme `Rooted in Christ`.
Attending the inaugural function as the chief guest, Ngajokpa laid stress on the importance and power of youths in the society.
Human beings of today have a lot of negativity but if the youths follow the right path then there is hope for a better future in the coming days, the Panchayati Raj minister said.
He also stressed on the importance of holy marriages among the catholic youths as the youths nowadays were ignorant of the values and blessings of holy marriages.
People should be proud of their own religion and should not shy away from displaying their religiosity in front of others, he said.
He also praised the Catholic missionaries for their contribution and sacrifices for the state of Manipur by providing good education, a moral grounding and discipline to the youths.
MCYO president Sumpi Peter stated that the conventions of the youth organisation have brought all the ethnic groups of the State to stay, pray and celebrate their faith together as one family.
He also said that the conventions have a vital social, moral and spiritual value for the youths.
The convention was also attended by Chandel A/C MLA Victor Nunghlung as the guest of honour and reverend Dominic Lumon (DD), Archbishop of Imphal as the president.
Around 2,000 youths from 44 parishes and five mission centres from various parts of the State under the Archdiocese of Imphal also participated in the function.