OLD GOA
Bishop of Pune Thomas Dabre on Thursday called upon priests to be faith formators, by helping people to walk in the light of faith.
Addressing hundreds of diocesan priests on the second day of the XIV National Conference of Diocesan Priests of India (CDPI) at Old Goa, Bishop Dabre spoke on the theme ‘the life and mission of a priest in the light of ‘Lumen Fidei’.’
“Faith is a light and priests must never allow the flame of faith to die out. The priestly life and ministry must continue in the light of faith. Priests should be faith formators helping the people to walk in the light of faith,” he said.
Bishop of Warangal Udmala Bala, who is the patron of CDPI, spoke on the mission of a priest at the morning Eucharistic Celebration.
“Jesus trained and formed his disciples to be missionaries to heal and drive out demons. The primary function of every missionary is to heal humanity, to bring peace where there is war, to bring love where there is hatred, to bring forgiveness where there is division, and to comfort the sick and suffering.”
“But a missionary,” said Bishop Bala, “has to first experience love and forgiveness of God in his own life, and thereafter he will share this love and forgiveness with others.”
The second session was chaired by Fr Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).
During this session, Fr D Alphonse, Director of Tamil Nadu Biblical, Liturgical and Catechetical Centre (TNBLC), Tindivanam, spoke on the theme ‘Priestly Ministry as witnessing the Joy of the Gospel in the light of ‘Evangelii Gaudium’.'
“A priest who has experienced the joy of the Good News of the Gospel, will certainly radiate joy in his life and ministry. Priests are called to become the heart in a heartless world,” said Fr Alphonse.
The other speaker, Fr Kasi Rayappa, environmental activist from Vellore, spoke on the teachings of Pope Francis in ‘Laudato Si’ and advocated for integral environment, an inclusive approach to nature.
“Environment must include society, economy and ecology. Human activity must promote natural environment and not destroy it,” he said.
In the final session of the day, three speakers put forward their views on various issues affecting the Church today. Bishop of Sambalpur Niranjan Saul Singh spoke on the Church’s mission toward religious tolerance.
Fr Ajay Kumar Singh, a human rights activist, focussed on the exploitation and abuses suffered by the Dalits, adivasis and religious minorities.
Dr Elgar Noronha, advocate at Mumbai High Court at Goa, described Pope Francis as a ray of hope in Church’s mission to the family.
