Pope urges Indian Church to bear
fruits of faith and charity
 |
| Inauguration of the plenary assembly of India's Latin rite bishops who comprise the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI). |
Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a message on the Pope’s behalf
to the 31st plenary assembly of India’s Latin-rite bishops (CCBI) that is
discussing the theme, “The Joy of the Gospel”.
By Robin Gomes
Pope Francis has sent his blessings to India’s Latin-rite bishops,
wishing their plenary assembly bear much fruit in the service of their
faithful, helping them to grow in faith and charity.
“His Holiness sends fraternal greetings to you and your
brother Bishops gathered on this occasion, and invites you ‘to a renewed
personal encounter with Jesus Christ... an openness to letting Him encounter
[you]… unfailingly each day" (Evangelii Gaudium, 3),” wrote
Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin in a
message sent on behalf of the Pope to the bishops. The message was
addressed to Cardinal Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of
Bombay, the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI),
the association of India’s Latin-rite bishops.
Faith and charity with joy and generosity
The 31st plenary assembly of the CCBI,
January 7 to14, at the Joe Animation Centre of the seaside town of
Mahabalipuram in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state, has as its theme,
“Evangelii Gaudium”, or “The Joy of the Gospel”, the Apostolic
Exhortation of Pope Francis on the Church’s primary mission of evangelizations
in the modern world.
The Pope “prays that your discussions may bear much fruit in
your service of God's people, as they strive to grow in faith
and charity,” said Card. Parolin’s message that was read to the bishops by
CCBI vice president, Archbishop George Antonysamy of
Madras-Mylapore. “Fortified by a deepened personal relationship with the
Saviour, and sustained by the grace of the sacraments, may all the faithful in
India live out their vocation joyfully and generously,” the message
read.
Needs of humanity
The Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Giambattista
Diquattro presided over a solemn Eucharistic celebration on Jan. 8 to
inaugurate the working sessions of the CCBI plenary assembly. "There
is a need for the Church to attend to the needs of humanity, which
is the joy of the Church in living the Gospel,”
he told the assembly.
The bishops are chalking out detailed programmes and action
plans to revitalize the ministry of love and compassion of the Church at the
diocesan and parish levels. They are also examining the present situation
of the Church in India.
Archbishop Diquattro said that the CCBI assembly “is not the
gathering of the hierarchies of the Church in India; rather it is a gathering
for the witness to the nation. Our unity, collaboration and oneness should
prove to the nation that we witness the Joy of the Gospel by our life."
In his address, Cardinal Gracias appealed to the Church in
India to revitalize evangelization which he said should be full of life and
full of love for mission .
CBCI’s inaugural session began with the lighting of the
lamp by Church dignitaries.
CCBI secretary-general, Archbishop Anil Cuoto of
Delhi read the annual report of the Conference and welcomed the new members
with a flower bouquet each. He also wished the outgoing CCBI members,
wishing them a wonderful retirement time.
Bishop Neethinathan Anthonisamy of
Chingleput who is hosting the CCBI plenary assembly explained that the CCBI
meeting was taking place in his diocese that is home to part of St. Thomas
Mount, the holy hill where St. Thomas the Apostle is believed to have been
martyred.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) is the apex
body of the Catholic Church in India that includes bishops of India’s 3 ritual
Churches – the Latin (CCBI) and the two eastern rites, the Syro-Malabar and the
Syro-Malankara. With 132 dioceses and 189 bishops, the CCBI is the
largest bishops’ conference in Asia and the fourth largest in the world.
During the plenary assembly, the bishops will elect new
office bearers.
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