OLD GOA
The theme for the conference, which will take place at St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa, is ‘Priest as a minister of God mirrored in the person of Pope Francis’. The Archdiocese of Goa will be represented by 15 priests.
Addressing a news conference at the venue on Monday evening, Bishop of Warangal Udumala Bala Showreddy, who is the patron of CDPI, informed that the aim of the conference was to help diocesan priests in India better understand their priesthood and to share, reflect and to enrich one another in the pastoral mission.
Speaking on the theme, Bishop Bala said it is well chosen considering that Pope Francis is a person to learn from. “His lifestyle and his message can bring about a real change in today’s world and will be useful for all priests in India,” he added.
Bishop Bala also informed that priests from other states of India will also learn from Goa as people from different religions live here harmoniously.
CDPI President Fr Philemon Doss, Executive Secretary Fr I Raymond Joseph and Vice President Fr John Crasta were also present at the news conference.
The conference will kick-off with Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio concelebrating a mass at the Basilica of Bom Jesus at 6.30 pm on Tuesday.
On April 6, the programme includes a talk on ‘Pope Francis, a pope of the Church of the poor and for the poor’ by Bishop of Shimoga Francis Serrao, who is also the member Bishop of CCBI Commission for VSCR.
A panel discussion is also scheduled on ‘Pope Francis “ an ambassador of peace in the nature, humanity and world’.
On April 7, Bishop of Pune Thomas Dabre will present a Continued from P1
talk on ‘The life and mission of a Presbyter in the light of Lumen Fidei’, followed by a talk on ‘Presbyterian Ministry as witnessing the joy of the Gospel’ by Fr D Alphonse, director of TNBLC, Tindivanam.
The session will also include a talk by Bishop of Sambalpur Niranjan Saul Singh on ‘Pope Francis, a ray of optimism in the mission of the Church towards religious tolerance’. There will be a group discussion on ‘Pope Francis “ role model for a true leader in today’s society’.
On April 8, Bishop of Calicut Varghese Chakkalakal, also the general secretary of CCBI, will deliver a talk on ‘Mercy is the true face of the priest of God in the light of Misericordiae Vultus’.
The conference will conclude after the passing of the conference message, the draft of which will be read by Warangal Bishop and CDPI patron Bishop Bala, at 10.45 am.
