Conference of Catholic Bishops of India finalizes strategic plan document

The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) concluded its strategic planning process with a gathering of 67 stakeholders, including the secretaries of the CCBI Commissions, directors of the departments, and coordinators of the apostolates, at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore, from March 4 to 6.

In the three days of the event, the participants engaged in a spiritual discernment process on the environmentally friendly, green campus of St. Peter's Seminary.

They meticulously reviewed and integrated suggestions and proposals from 14 regions and 132 dioceses into the finalized CCBI strategic planning document.

Secretaries of the 16 commissions, coordinators of the 4 apostolates, and directors of the 7 departments, along with their respective stakeholders, diligently examined proposals from the regions and the dioceses.

During the workshop, the final document included relevant proposals and underwent further refinement and approval through the spiritual conversation process.

Throughout the strategic planning process, the CCBI conducted three national-level consultations, 14 regional-level consultations, and consultations in 132 dioceses, engaging over 5,500 stakeholders in the spiritual discernment process to shape the strategic plan document for the national church.

Collective energy has emerged through this huge process, with nearly all dioceses hosting one-day workshops. The insights gained during these workshops have helped the national secretaries chart the direction for planning.

Regional deputy secretaries, along with selected trainers, facilitated the sessions at the diocesan level.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, the President of the CCBI, will join the national core team in conducting a final review of the document, which they will then present to the CCBI Executive Committee in May 2024.

The Executive Committee, comprising bishops, will finalize the document at their meeting on May 7–8, 2024.

Additionally, the CCBI has developed strategies for dissemination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the proposals outlined in the strategic planning document through its commissions, departments, and apostolates.

"The CCBI strategic planning initiative builds upon the Synod proposals and the Bangkok Document 2022 of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC), with far-reaching impacts at the national, regional, and diocesan levels," said Father Stephen Alathara, deputy secretary general of the CCBI.

Jesuit Father Joseph Xavier facilitates the process, and Father Charles Leon serves as the national coordinator for the CCBI's strategic plan.

During the three-day workshop, the CCBI Commission for Women honored Sister Lidwin Fernandes for the silver jubilee of her first profession.

Father Richard Britto, President of All India, Rectors of Major Seminaries (ARMS), and Rector of St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, extended heartfelt felicitations on behalf of the CCBI, while the deputy secretary general bestowed upon her a traditional Indian shawl as a token of appreciation.