The National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Center (NBCLC), in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, conducted a national workshop on interreligious and ecumenical ministry from April 8 to 9.
The event took place at NBCLC, Bangalore, the capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
It is for the first time that a national-level workshop on interreligious dialogue and ecumenism and the national meeting of the regional and diocesan secretaries/directors of Dialogue and Ecumenism were organized.
The purpose of the workshop was to provide an update on the Catholic teaching and ministry of interreligious dialogue and ecumenism, considering the Synod of Synodality.
Over 60 participants were mostly the regional and diocesan directors of intertriginous dialogue and ecumenism.
The first day of the two-day workshop focused on interreligious dialogue, while the second day focused on ecumenism.
The inaugural address was given by the Auxiliary Bishop of Bangalore, Joseph Susainathan, while the keynote address was delivered by Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios of Mavelikara and the National Chairman of CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism.
The distinguished resource individuals on interreligious dialogue and synodality were Fr. Dr. Anthoniraj Thumma, the national secretary of the CBCI Office for Interreligious Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, and Fr. Dr. Robin Shaya Seelan, the secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) for Interreligious and Ecumenical Affairs.
Jesuit Father Arun Louis, director of Ashirvad Dialogue Center, Bengaluru, moderated the panel discussion of eminent speakers from five different religious traditions.
The first day concluded with the meeting of the secretaries of the Dialogue and Ecumenism Commissions of the sui juris Churches and the Regional and Diocesan Directors.
On the second day, ecumenical issues were dealt with by Dr. Fr. Jose Kizhakkekuttu CMI, assistant professor in Dharmika Vidya Kendrum (DVK), and Church of South India Bishop Emeritus Surya Prakash, who was professor emeritus of United Theological College (UTC), Bengaluru.
Divine Word Father Dr. Baptist Pius, the secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Commission for Ecumenism, moderated the panel discussion on synodality and ecumenical relations.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over on the first day by Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios and on the second day by Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore.
The participants expressed their satisfaction with being enlightened by the presentation of erudite resource individuals and panelists, as well as by the mutual sharing and fellowship of the group discussions.
They believe the Synod on Synodality has reinforced their commitment to working with nearby faiths and churches to build the divine reign of love, justice, and peace. - Anthoniraj Thumma
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