Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) reading the sign of the times in Nagaland

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]xamining the social conscience and reading the sign of the times in Nagaland, the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) is deeply pained to see what is happening in the Naga Society today. The contemporaneous signs we have been witnessing in the recent times in Tuensang ethnic conflict and in Dimapur are the intelligible reminder and clarion call to all of us especially to the Churches in particular that there is a dire need to revitalize for New Evangelization with a sense of urgency.We read it in the papers and hear it on the air of killing and stealing and crime everywhere in Nagaland. Many of us sigh and we must have said as we notice the trend, “ the Naga Society …..where will it go?” The despondency we see in our Youth today reflects the moral and ethical void at the heart of our Naga Society. But who is to be blamed? We the Parents, Elders, Leaders (Political and Churches) should and must be guilty of the delinquent behaviours of our young people today. Instead of placing the blame on the young people for the delinquent behaviour, let’s fix the cause, and remember as we pause; that in so many cases-it’s sad but it’s true, the title DELINQUENT fits the leaders of today. It is time for our Naga Society to be more worried about the Breakdown of the value system in the families than the Breakdown of law and order situation in Dimapur in the recent times.
Reflecting and resounding the principles of Catholic Social Teaching on Human Dignity, with a belief that Human Dignity originates from God and is of God because we are made in God’s own image and likeness and is not based on any human quality, legal mandate, or individual merit or accomplishment. And it is grounded in the idea that Human life is sacred because the human person is the most central and clearest reflection of God among us. The human dignity is the starting point for a moral vision of society, which provides principles for reflection; criteria for judgment; guidelines for action; tools for conscience formation. In a society that exalts individualism, Catholic tradition teaches that human beings grow and achieve fulfillment in community. The rights & responsibilities of individuals must be integrated into the achievement of the common good for all. The rights and needs of others must always be respected. In the light and spirit of Catholic Social Teaching on Human Dignity, Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) urges the leaders of Naga Society to become responsible custodians of the Next Naga Generation.
Presently, in reviewing the dynamics of Naga Society, our society is suffering from DEFICIT OF THINKING in all fronts (at political front, tribal organization and community level). And the DEFICIT OF THINKING seems to have locked our Naga Society into a Prison of our Own Making, a Prison Dominated by Fear, Disorientation and Competition for scarce Resources.
The Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) through this press note profoundly solicits people of all faith and religion, leaders, elders and parents in Nagaland to live above eagerness for our own personal gain and become a responsible custodian of Naga Next Generation. Certainly, we cannot prepare the future for our Naga Next Generation but we can certainly prepare our Naga Next Generation for the future by contracting in them values that includes an understanding of the simple difference between right and wrong, a belief in God, the importance of hard work and education in the light of the Christian faith. CAN affirms that an honourable Nagaland will emerge when Nagas build their character with right attitude and genetic value system in the Family, in the Community, in the Churches, in the tribal organization and in the Political parties.
Let God the Creator of all beings be Merciful to us. With contrite heart let’s pray for the Forgiveness of our many FAULTS during this Lenten Season and let the dawn of Easter brings New Hopes to Nagaland.

Issued by:
1. Mr. Elias T. Lotha 2. Mr. Johnny Ruangmei
President Secretary General
Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN)