Bangalore 24 January 2023 (CCBI): The 34th Plenary Assembly Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) will take place during January 24-30, 2023 at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru. The theme of the conference is “Telling the Story of Jesus in our Context: The Synodal Way.”
His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect, Dicastery for Evangelization will deliver the inaugural address. His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, President, CCBI, will offer the presidential address; followed by a benedictory message by the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, His Excellency Most Rev. Leopoldo Girelli.
A message from Pope Francis will be read out by Most Rev. George Antonysamy, Vice President, CCBI after which an annual report will be presented by the Archbishop of Delhi and Secretary General, CCBI, Most Rev. Anil Joseph Thomas Couto.
His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad; Most Rev. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore and Rev. Fr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary-General, CCBI will be among those present.
On day one, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will dwell on the theme, “Telling the Story of Jesus in our Context: The Synodal Way”.
On day two, the former director, Misereor, Msgr. Josef Sayer will talk on “Predicate Evangelium and its Implications for the Life and Leadership in the Church,” followed by the Secretary-General, CCBI, Most Rev. Anil Joseph Thomas Couto’s thoughts on “Synodal Relationship with Other Christians.”
Later, Archbishop-Bishop of Vasai Most Rev. Felix Machado will share his views on “Synodal Relations with Neighbour Religions” while the Chairman of CCBI Commission for Ecology, Most Rev. Allwyn D’Silva, will talk on the theme “Synodal Relations with Mother Earth.” The Archbishop of Vishakhapatnam, Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu, will moderate the session.
On day three, recollection talk sessions will be taken by Rev. Fr. M. A. Joseph, CSsR followed by a presentation of commissions’ reports of BEC, Bible, Canon Law, and Catechetics. The Bishop of Poona Most Rev. Thomas Dabre will moderate the session.
The Bishop of Calicut, Most Rev. Varghese Chakkalakal, will moderate the next commissions’ reports of Ecumenism, Family, Laity, and Women.
The day four will see the presentation of commission reports Liturgy, Migrants, Proclamation, PMO and Suvarta Kendra and this session will be moderated by the Archbishop of Bangalore, Most Rev. Peter Machado.
Following this, another set of commission reports will be presented on Vocations, ARMS, CDPI, Theology and Bioethics Forum. This session will be moderated by the Archbishop of Patna, Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupura,
The evening session of commissions’ reports will be on Ecology, Youth, Bethania and Shanti Sadan. The Archbishop of Guwahati, Most Rev. John Moolachira, will moderate the session.
Another session of Commissions reports on Commissions’ on Communio, Media, Education, Health, and Social Service will be moderated by the Archbishop of Raipur, Most Rev. Victor Henry Thakur.
The last two days have been set aside as business sessions and presentation of reports of regional bishops’ councils and valedictory functions.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI