Sept. 02, 2011: Catholics in the diocese of Asansol in West Bengal, on the eastern
side of the Indian subcontinent has their missionclearly set out: they are to "prove
themselves in word and deed as true disciples of Christ". They are to bear witness
and help their fellow men. This is what Bishop Cyprian Monis believes, who has been
in charge of this diocese since it was founded in 1997. The diocese shares its
name with the industrial city of Asansol, which numbers around half a million people.
Roughly three quarters of the inhabitants of West Bengal are Hindus, while around
a quarter are Muslims. Catholics make up only a tiny minority in the region. However
this fact in no way discourages Bishop Monis. "We are a growing Church, and each year
around 1000 people find their way to the Faith", he emphasised during a visit to the
international HQ's of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). He
said that the number of Catholics here has almost doubled since the diocese was founded
in 1997, while the number of priests has increase three times. And so today the diocese
of Asansol has a total of 29,000 Catholics, including 230 religious and 44 priests.
The diocese now runs 7 primary schools and 8 secondary schools. Bishop Monis remarked
that "We are starting from scratch with everything in fact. We need churches, parish
and social centres, schools… in short, everything." As an international Catholic pastoral
charity, ACN is helping the further development of the diocese, since the Catholic
faithful themselves can contribute little. Nevertheless, as Bishop Cyprian pointed
out that the collaboration of the laity is essential for the development of the diocese,
whether women or men, young or old. They must be encouraged to live their faith in
an exemplary manner, he said.