Velha, Goa on November 7, 2023 (CCBI) His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão passionately emphasizes that “Leadership is a Journey of Continuous Learning”, he was addressing the Major Seminary Rectors attending the XXII general body meeting of the Association of Rectors of Major Seminaries (ARMS) at Pilar Animation Centre, Velha, Goa, on November 7, 2023.
He exhorted the rectors to continue to learn, as they have to lead the seminarians. “Leading is learning,”, he said. One who learns is humble. Humility is at the core of synodality, which implies communion, participation, and mission. Fraternal communion, promoting the participation of all in community life, will effectively implement the proclamation of the gospel, which is our mission.
The General Body began with the inaugural Holy Eucharist, presided over by His Eminence Felipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, the President of CCBI and Archbishop of Goa and Daman. Most Rev. Varghese Chakkalakal (Patron of ARMS and Bishop of Calicut), Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General, CCBI, Rev. Dr. Richard Britto, President, ARMS, and Rector, St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore, Rev. Dr. Charles Leon, Secretary, ARMS, and Executive Secretary, VSCR Commission, and Rev. Dr. Kommareddy Marreddy, Vice President, ARMS, and Rector of St. John’s Regional Theological Seminary, Hyderabad, concelebrated together with all participant rectors in Pilar Pilgrim Church, Pilar, Goa.
There are 77 major seminary and study house rectors from all over India (CCBI) attending this general body meeting. The theme of XXII ARMS is “Priestly Formation in the Digital Age”. Rev. Dr. Richard Britto welcomed the dignitaries and the delegates. Re. Dr. Charles Leon, Secretary, presented the highlights of the XXI General Body in Kolkata in 2022.
The Most Rev. Varghese Chakkalakal presided over the inaugural meeting, and Cardinal Filipe Neri inaugurated the meeting by lighting the lamp. Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara felicitated the delegates and congratulated them for their contribution to the church in India. He also felicitated the silver jubilarians: Most Rev. Varghese Chakkalakal’s Episcopal silver jubilee and Fr. Richard Britto’s Priestly Ordination silver jubilee. Fr. Ambrose Pachaimuthu, Director of PMO, conveyed the blessings and appreciations of the Pontifical Mission Organization.
Rev. Dr. Patrick Arokiaraj SJ, Professor of Philosophy, Loyola College, Chennai, delivered the keynote address on “Priestly Formation at the Crossroads in the Digital Age”. He reminded me that the formators belong to the Digital Immigrants group, and the formees are digital natives. Our individual selves have given way to our networking selves. Eminent IT scholars, practitioners, and different stakeholders will address the delegates of the conference.
The general body will conclude on Friday, November 10, 2023, with a pilgrimage to Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa, and St. Joseph Vaz’s birthplace at Sancoale.
Rev. Dr. Charles Leon
Secretary, ARMS.