Verghese V Joseph –
Bengaluru: Beginning on Wednesday, the 36th general body meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) in Bengaluru will focus mostly on several problems, including the state of affairs in Manipur and artificial intelligence (AI).
His Excellency Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, will preside over the opening of the CBCI general body meeting, which is taking place at St. John’s Medical College Auditorium.
This year’s central theme, “Church’s Response to the Current Socio-Political Situation in the Country and the Benefits and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence,” highlights the church’s commitment to engaging with the current issues facing the community.
Addressing the media on the eve of the general body meeting, the CBCI President, Most Rev Dr Andrew Thazath, said the theme of the general body meeting aligns with the message of Pope Francis for World Communication Day. The general body meeting serves as a crucial forum for bishops to collectively discern and strategise responses to religious, social, and national issues. Through collaborative efforts, the CBCI aims to address challenges and contribute to the welfare of communities across India.
The prelate stated that a number of important topics will be covered at the conference, including the state of Manipur at the moment, the Synod’s decisions from October 2023, the current sociopolitical climate, and the general state of Christianity in India.
The prelate stated that the agenda of the meeting would cover a number of important topics, including the state of Manipur at the moment, the current socio-political climate, and the overall position of Christians in India. The Synod in October 2023 will also be discussed.
The media was also addressed by Most Rev Joseph Mar Thomas, CBCI Vice President; Msgr S Jayanathan, Vicar General of the Bangalore Archdiocese; Rev Fr Jervis, CBCI deputy secretary general; and Rev Fr Robinson Rodrigues, CBCI PRO.
The general body gathering, which provides an essential platform for collectively discerning and strategizing responses to different religious, social, and national challenges, is being attended by about 180 bishops from across India. In addition, the CBCI seeks to solve issues and improve community welfare throughout India.
The keynote speaker, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life and Grand Chancellor of the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences, will share his thoughts on the advantages and difficulties of artificial intelligence on the third day of the conference.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Linus Neli, Sudheendra Kulkarni, Fr Joe Xavier, SJ, Fr Selvakumar, SDB, and Robin Christopher will be the other distinguished speakers.
Elections for the CBCI office bearer will be held on February 6.
Artificial intelligence huh. First give us real common sense. As for election of office bearers, first drop the rotational Rite system. Please elect those with both courage and common sense. Abp Peter Machado of Bangalore comes to mind.