BANGALORE (SE): Pope Leo XIV has called on the Latin Catholic bishops of India to be promoters of unity and human fraternity, urging them to inspire the faithful to live the Gospel of peace in their daily lives.
The pope made his appeal in a special message addressed to the bishops gathered for the 37th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India [CCBI], held on February 3 at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences in Bangalore.
He encouraged the Latin Church in India to remain a living sign of Christian love—one that breaks down barriers, draws people closer together, unites strangers and reconciles enemies.
Entrusting the assembly to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, Pope Leo imparted his Apostolic Blessing to the bishops, praying that it would be a sign of wisdom, strength and communion in the Lord.
In a separate message, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, reminded the bishops of their responsibility toward future generations. He urged them to respond attentively to the needs of young people, the challenges of evangelisation, and the values that sustain Christian witness within India’s complex interreligious context. Cardinal Tagle noted that the bishops’ deliberations and resolutions would have far-reaching effects, influencing not only the local Churches they shepherd but also priests, religious and lay faithful who look to them for guidance.
The plenary assembly opened with a solemn Eucharistic celebration on February 3 at the Nursing College Auditorium of St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences. The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, apostolic nuncio to India and Nepal.
The inaugural session that followed began with a prayer to the Holy Spirit and the chanting of the traditional hymn Veni Creator Spiritus. In keeping with local custom, dignitaries then lit a traditional Indian lamp, symbolising the formal opening of the assembly.
Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, president of the CCBI and archbishop of Goa and Daman, presided over the meeting, which was formally inaugurated by Archbishop Girelli. Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, vice president of the CCBI, welcomed the participants. The annual report of the Conference was presented by Archbishop Vincent Aind of Ranchi, secretary general of the CCBI, while Father Stephen Alathara, deputy secretary general, proposed the vote of thanks. The session concluded with a prayer led by Anthony Cardinal Poola, archbishop of Hyderabad.
During the assembly, 18 bishops appointed within the past year were formally welcomed as new members of the Conference. The bishops also observed a moment of silence in memory of deceased members.
The one-day meeting addressed a range of issues affecting the Latin Catholic Church in India, which comprises 132 dioceses and 215 bishops. Through its 16 commissions, seven departments, and four apostolates, the CCBI coordinates and animates the life and mission of the Church across the country.
As the national episcopal conference, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India is the largest in Asia and the third-largest in the world. Its general secretariat is based in New Delhi, with a documentation centre in Bangalore and regional secretariats in Goa and Bhopal.
