Indian Catholic Bishops to focus on Synodal Pathways for mission at 2025 Assembly
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has announced that its upcoming Plenary Assembly, scheduled from January 28 to February 4, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, will emphasize a participatory and synodal approach, aiming at greater inclusivity within the Church.
The assembly theme is “Discerning the Synodal Pathways to Mission.”
In preparation, the CCBI General Secretariat distributed a preparatory document and a questionnaire to dioceses and religious congregations across India.
The initiative encourages feedback from a wide range of voices, ensuring a collective discernment process.
Responses are due by October 31, 2024, to contribute to the working document for the assembly discussion.
To broaden participation, the CCBI has also introduced an online survey for lay members of the Church to share insights and recommendations.
This marks the first time the CCBI has initiated such an extensive consultation, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility in the Church's mission and fostering a more inclusive process.
A core team led by Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Bombay, will analyze and compile feedback from dioceses, congregations, and lay members.
The assembly will also employ a “spiritual conversation methodology” designed to encourage open and meaningful dialogue among participants.
The CCBI, representing 132 dioceses and 208 bishops, is the largest episcopal conference in Asia and the fourth largest worldwide.
Inputs from Vatican News
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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