PANAJI
Pope Leo XIV has called on the Latin Catholic Bishops of India to promote unity and human fraternity, urging the faithful to live the Gospel of peace in their daily lives.
In a special message to the bishops gathered for the 37th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), held at St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences in Bangalore, he said the Latin Church must remain a living sign of Christian love. Such love, he noted, breaks down barriers, unites strangers and reconciles enemies. He imparted his Apostolic Blessing as a sign of wisdom, strength and communion in the Lord.
In a separate message, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, reminded the bishops of their responsibility to future generations.
He encouraged them to address the needs of young people, the challenges of evangelisation and the values that sustain Christian witness in India’s complex interreligious context. He said their deliberations would influence not only the dioceses they lead but also priests, religious and lay faithful.
The Assembly opened with a solemn Eucharistic celebration at the Nursing College Auditorium, presided over by Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli. The inaugural session began with a prayer to the Holy Spirit and the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, followed by the lighting of the traditional Indian lamp.
CCBI President and Archbishop of Goa Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão presided, and Archbishop Girelli inaugurated the meeting. Archbishop Peter Machado welcomed the gathering, Archbishop Vincent Aind presented the annual report, and Rev. Dr Stephen Alathara proposed the vote of thanks. Cardinal Anthony Poola led the concluding prayer.
The one-day meeting addressed key issues concerning the Latin Catholic Church in India, which comprises 132 dioceses and 215 bishops. The CCBI, Asia’s largest Episcopal Conference, operates through 16 Commissions, seven Departments and four Apostolates, with its General Secretariat in New Delhi.
