PANAJI
The Western Region Bishops’ Council (WRBC) concluded a pivotal two-day conference recently at the John Maria Vianney Pastoral Centre in Gandhinagar, addressing critical issues facing the Church and society.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, who is also President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), and Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes from the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman participated in the conference.
The meeting, which brought together bishops from across the Western Region, focused on several key topics, including Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Letter ‘Dignitas Infinita’ and the Bull of Indiction for the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025.
Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias delivered a keynote address, offering insights on contemporary challenges and the forthcoming Synod on Synodality.
His remarks set the tone for in-depth discussions on the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Pastoral Plan, titled ‘Journeying towards a Synodal Church: Mission 2033.’
CCBI Deputy Secretary General Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara presented a detailed overview of the Pastoral Plan and introduced the Preparatory Document for the upcoming CCBI Plenary Assembly. The assembly will explore the theme ‘Discerning the Synodal Pathways for Mission.’
The conference culminated in a general body meeting that included Western Region Directors and the Western Region Social Service Forum (WRSSF) Executive Committee, emphasising a collaborative approach to addressing regional challenges.
As the meeting concluded, bishops expressed their commitment to fostering unity and solidarity within the Church and broader society.
They pledged to implement the strategies discussed, aiming to strengthen the Church’s mission in the Western Region leading up to 2033.
