Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo (left) at the meeting. Picture by Manik Bose

Ranchi, July 25: The conclave of 17 bishops of Jharkhand, Bihar and the Andamans today conceded that empowerment of tribals was the only option to save the state from degenerating into further chaos.

“We are in search of capable leaders, who can fan out among the youths, women and individual families and educate each target group. Tribal people need to be made aware of their rights and obligations. Social auditing can be possible only if the tribes learn to demand,” said Bishop Charles Soreng, the spokesman of the Bishops of Bihar, Jharkhand and the Andamans.

About 17 bishops of Bihar, Jharkhand and the Andamans are attending the four-day annual conference at Social Development Centre starting July 23. The conclave is slated to conclude tomorrow.

Soreng, who is also the Bishop of Hazaribagh, said the church had its own organisational set-up beginning from the state headquarters to the districts down to the individual parishes located in various residential areas of each city or town.

“The various units of the church are not functioning as they should. There is an urgent need for ‘able’ leaders, who can educate the tribals and make them aware of their rights and even teach them to demand their rights from the state,” Bishop Soreng said.

The conclave of bishops is of the opinion that there is much scope of improvement.