THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), the national episcopal conference for the Latin Catholic Church in India, celebrated a landmark event on Tuesday with the solemn blessing and inauguration of its newly renovated General Secretariat at 9-10, Bhai Vir Singh Marg, New Delhi.
CCBI President and Archbishop of Goa Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão presided over the inauguration ceremony. Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli inaugurated the building, and CCBI Vice-President Archbishop Peter Machado blessed the office block, while Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi blessed the residential section of the building.
The inauguration drew a distinguished gathering of priests, religious, and lay leaders from across the national capital region. Archbishop Vincent Aind, Secretary General of the CCBI, warmly welcomed the assembled guests. Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and contributors in his vote of thanks.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of several prominent persons, including Deepak Tauro, Auxiliary Bishop of Delhi and Msgr. Juan Pablo Cerrillos Hernandez, Counsellor of Apostolic Nunciature, Delhi.
Recognising dedicated service
In a special gesture of appreciation, the CCBI honoured individuals whose dedication and expertise were instrumental in the successful renovation project. Archbishop Anil Couto, Fr Rohan Sequeira, Fr Sunil Crasta, Fr Joseph Elamthuruthy, architect Alex Joseph, and contractor Seby Andrews were each presented with a traditional Indian shawl and a commemorative memento.
Building steeped in history
The newly inaugurated headquarters holds deep historical significance for the CCBI. The Secretariat was first established in Goa in 1988 before moving to Delhi in 1992.
In 1995, it found its permanent home at the current address on Bhai Vir Singh Marg. While the Bangalore Secretariat was inaugurated in 2002 and became the base for the Deputy Secretary General in 2003, the Delhi building remained a vital location.
After serving as the office for the Deputy Secretary General until 2003 and subsequently being rented by Caritas India, the building now proudly resumes its role as the primary office of the CCBI General Secretariat in Delhi, symbolising the enduring presence of the Latin Rite in the nation's capital.
The CCBI Today
The CCBI, representing 132 dioceses and 209 bishops across India, stands as the largest Bishops' Conference in Asia and the fourth largest in the world.
Currently, 32 secretaries serve the CCBI's extensive network, which includes 16 Commissions, 7 Departments, and 4 Apostolates, operating through multiple secretariats located in St. Thomas Town and Ulsoor (Bangalore), Faridabad, Goa, and Bhopal.
The inauguration of the renovated General Secretariat in New Delhi strengthens the CCBI's capacity to serve the faithful and pursue its mission in India.
