Highlight key pastoral priorities, including social justice, gender equality & interfaith dialogue
PANAJI
The Bishops of India, gathered for the 36th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) in Bhubaneswar, have issued a letter of gratitude to the People of God in India, reaffirming their commitment to a Synodal Church.
The letter, jointly signed by CCBI President Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop George Antonysamy (former Vice President of CCBI) and Archbishop Anil Couto (former Secretary General of CCBI), underscores the Bishops’ unwavering commitment to a Synodal Church in India.
The letter highlights key pastoral priorities, including faith formation, youth and family, social justice, gender equality, digital evangelisation, ecological responsibility, and interfaith dialogue.
In their Letter, the Bishops emphasised the Church’s mission of Communion, Participation and Mission, as they discern new pathways for the future.
The Bishops pledged to foster a synodal approach at all levels of decision-making, ensuring that parish and diocesan councils follow the path of prayerful listening and discernment.
As the Church in India prepares for the Jubilee Year 2025, the Bishops called on all Catholics to embrace Synodality as a way of life, journeying together as Pilgrims of Hope.
Expressing gratitude for the active participation of the faithful, they urged continued engagement in shaping the Church’s mission.
The 36th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI concluded at the XIM University in the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. This landmark 8-day event witnessed the active participation of laity, priests, and religious.
For the first time, the faithful suggested the discussion topics for the bishops, responding to the Preparatory Document which guided the preparation of the Working Document.
The concluding day began with a Thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, who was re-elected as the CCBI President. Archbishop Peter Machado, the Vice President and Archbishop Vincent Aind, Secretary General, concelebrated the Holy Mass.
The financial accounts of the CCBI’s seven legal bodies were presented by the respective officials.
During the valedictory function, Cardinal Ferrão honoured the Bishops of Odisha, the local organising committee and the priests and staff of XIM University, recognising their dedication to the success of the Assembly.
A significant highlight of the Plenary was the release of the Indian edition of Antiqua et Nova, a document on the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence, published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
The members of the assembly proposed to organise the next Plenary Assembly of the CCBI at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu.
