The upcoming plenary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) will be more participatory and synodal, reflecting the spirit of inclusivity and shared mission.
The assembly will explore the theme of "Discerning the Synodal Pathways for Mission" from January 28 to February 4, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, eastern India.
As part of its preparations, the CCBI General Secretariat has released a preparatory document and a questionnaire to dioceses and religious congregations across India.
This initiative aims to gather widespread feedback, making the event a collective discernment process. Responses are expected by October 31, 2024, to help draft the working document for the assembly.
To further enhance participation, an online survey has been introduced, inviting the lay faithful to share their suggestions and recommendations. This is the first time such a wide-ranging consultation process has been initiated, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and shared responsibility in the Church's mission.
A core team, led by Allwyn D'Silva, Emeritus Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, has been formed to compile the feedback from various sources. The team will be instrumental in shaping the final working document to guide discussions at the assembly.
Additionally, the assembly will see the introduction of the "spiritual conversation methodology," a new approach to foster deeper engagement and dialogue among participants.
The CCBI, representing 132 dioceses and 208 bishops, is the largest episcopal conference in Asia and the fourth largest globally. Through this synodal initiative, it seeks to create a more inclusive and collaborative environment for the Church in India. - Stephen Alathara
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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