PANAJI
The Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, in collaboration with the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, organised a Bible Symposium at the Divine Springs Retreat Centre, Xellim-Loliem, from August 27 to 29.
The symposium on the theme ‘Biblical Text in its Context in the Digital and AI Age’ was organised to mark the Jubilee Year 2025 as well as the Centenary of the Canonisation of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
The symposium was inaugurated by Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes, who is Chairman of the Western Region CCBI Bible Commission.
Joining him for the inauguration were Rev. Dr Pius James D’Souza OCD (Definitor General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites), Rev. Dr Richard D’Souza OCD (Coordinator of the Symposium), Rev. Dr Alphonse Britto OCD (Provincial Councillor for Spirituality), Fr Rovel D’Souza OCD (Superior of the Divine Springs Retreat Centre), and Rev. Dr Gregory D’Souza OCD.
Delivering his inaugural address, Bishop Simião reminded participants that the Bible “is a light for their path.”
“We need to fall in love with the Bible and make use of it in our daily life,” said Bishop Fernandes.
He appealed to everyone to make the Bible “bread for their daily use.” Through practical examples, the bishop also reflected on the guidelines for the interpretation of the Bible.
The symposium featured a rich blend of conferences and workshops on diverse themes. Practical sessions provided hands-on training with biblical and digital tools. These sessions were conducted by a panel of distinguished resource persons including Rev. Dr Pius James D’Souza OCD, Rev. Dr Richard Francis D’Souza OCD (Professor at the Teresianum, Rome), Fr Mariano D’Costa (Director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate), Rev. Dr Patrick Mathias SDB (Secretary of the CCBI Bible Commission, Bengaluru), Rev. Dr Vincent Sequeira (Commission for Bible, Diocese of Mangalore), Fr Macson Fernandes (Secretary, Western Region CCBI Bible Commission and Professor at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol), Rev. Dr Yesu Karunanidhi (Head of Programmes, Centre of Biblical Formation, Jerusalem), Rev. Dr Biju Joseph Karukappallil CMI (Professor at Dharmaram, Bengaluru) and Rev. Dr Darbello Christus (Professor, Trivandrum).
The symposium concluded with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr Silvestre D’Souza OCD, Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites.
In his homily, Fr Silvestre highlighted the unique role of St John the Baptist. Reflecting further, he said that St John fearlessly proclaimed repentance and prepared the way for the Messiah. He concluded with a challenge to the faithful: Christian witness must be lived both in words and in silence, through the integrity of one’s life.
