Verghese V Joseph –
All three sui juris Catholic churches in India have decided to renew their efforts with new vigour to serve humanity through their social outreach programmes. The Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara make up the Catholic Church in India.
On day four of the biennial 35th Plenary session of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences here, the bishops vowed to make the Catholic church a champion of social justice in its reach and efforts to serve the needy and the marginalised.
Rev Fr. Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India, presented the biennial report of the social action before the 200-odd bishops. Caritas India is the second-largest humanitarian agency in the world. In the last two years, it has responded to the Indian realities of 4 Cs such as Covid, Conflict, Climate, and Cost and solutions harnessed in the 4 Ss such as Solidarity, Social Friendship, Social Justice and Spirituality.
In its social outreach, Caritas India has reached out to 52.4 million people in 31 Indian States comprising 9,007 villages with 324 partners. This year marks a special occasion for Caritas India as it celebrates Diamond Jubilee of its establishment.
After the presentation of the report, the CBCI President and Archbishop of Bombay, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, released a book “Courageously Innovative: Catholic Church @ Covid 19”; and the CBCI Vice President Bishop Joshua Mar Iganthios displayed the first page to the audience.
Later, His Beatitude George Cardinal Alencherry released another book named “New Hopes New Horizons: Catholic Church’s Response to Covid-19 in India.”
The Indian bishops expressed their overwhelming joy and satisfaction in the efforts of Caritas India and pledged to recommit themselves to serving humanity in a more resilient manner.
Prior to the presentation of various reports, the day began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias offered the Mass with bishops who were celebrating the silver jubilee of their episcopal ordination.
The jubilarians were Cardinal Mar George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly, Archbishop Emeritus Bernard Moras of Bangalore, Archbishop Thomas Mar Kurilos of Tiruvalla, Archbishop Felix Toppo, SJ of Ranchi, Bishop Paul Maipan of Khammam, Bishop Thomas Elavankal MCBS of Kalyan, Bishop Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur, Bishop M. Devadass Ambrose of Thanjavur, Bishop Emeritus Joji Govindu of Nalgonda, Bishop Julius Marandi of Dumka, Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling, and Bishop Emeritus Godfrey De Rosario, SJ of Baroda.
The first session commenced with reflections and silent prayer. CBCI General Secretary Archbishop Felix Machado was the moderator. Rev. Fr. Maria Charles, SDB, presented the reports of the CBCI Offices, Councils and Desks.
The second session too continued with the presentation of the reports. Bishop Ignatius Mascarenhas of Simla-Chandigarh was the moderator of the session. Bishop Anand Jojo presented the report of the CBCI Society for Medical Education, North India.
Later, Bishop Salvador Lobo presented the NISCORT report.