Verghese V Joseph –
Bangalore: The Commission for Canon Law in the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has taken a significant step in establishing a clear path for recognising significant diocesan shrines as national shrines. The newly drafted “Norms for the Designation of National Shrines” was officially released as a book during the 94th Executive Committee meeting held at St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore on Wednesday.
The comprehensive norms address the desire expressed by several bishops to elevate cherished diocesan shrines to national status, fostering greater recognition and pilgrimage opportunities. The document represents the culmination of a meticulous process spearheaded by Most Rev. Dr. Antonysamy Savarimuthu, the Chairman of the Commission for Canon Law and Rev. Dr. Merlin Rengith Ambrose, Executive Secretary of the Commission and Professor of Canon Law at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. It was released by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, the President of the CCBI.
The document is structured into five distinct sections. After a brief introduction on the significance of shrines, the first section lays out the overarching guiding principles governing national shrines. The second section delves into detailed guidelines concerning liturgy, sacraments, pilgrimages, charitable endeavours, ecumenical celebrations, and popular devotions. The third section addresses a range of additional guidelines. The fourth section outlines the procedure for obtaining the designation of “National Shrine” from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. The fifth section elaborates on the required documentation and application process.
This book is intended to serve as a vademecum for bishops seeking to elevate their diocesan shrines to the status of National Shrines.
Indian Edition of Dignitas Infinita Unveiled
During the same executive committee meeting, the CCBI unveiled the Indian edition of “Dignitas Infinita,” a profound declaration on Human Dignity by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. His Eminence Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI, presented the inaugural copy to His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias. The event was graced by the presence of Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop George Antonysamy, Archbishop Anil Couto, Archbishop Antony Pappusamy, and Fr. Stephen Alathara.
Key Features of the Document
The document, the result of five years of meticulous effort by the Dicastery, draws upon the papal teachings of the past decade. Addressing issues ranging from war and poverty to violence against migrants and women, from abortion and surrogate motherhood to euthanasia, and from gender theory to digital violence, it offers three foundational chapters culminating in a dedicated section on grave violations of human dignity.
A notable aspect of this work is its integration of key themes from recent papal teachings alongside bioethical considerations. In its ‘non-exhaustive’ list, it highlights abortion, euthanasia, and surrogate motherhood as violations of human dignity, echoing the urgency to address these alongside other pressing global challenges like war, poverty, and human trafficking.
The release of these two significant documents marks a significant milestone in the CCBI’s efforts to promote the dignity of human life and the recognition of national shrines. The comprehensive Norms for the Designation of National Shrines will serve as a valuable resource for bishops seeking to elevate their diocesan shrines to national status, while the Indian edition of Dignitas Infinita will provide a profound reflection on the importance of human dignity in the face of contemporary challenges.