Catholic bishops convene biennial meet

Call on Church leaders to work together for a better future

Philip Mathew, Bangalore
India
February 1, 2012

Catholic Church News Image of Catholic bishops convene biennial meet

Archbishop Clemis lights a lamp during opening ceremonies of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India today

Cardinal Oswald Gracias today called the Church “the conscience of the nation” during his presidential speech at the opening of the 30th general body meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) in Bangalore.

During his speech, he called for the Church as a whole to meditate on what it has done for good and where it has failed.

Noting that the CBCI is committed to the welfare of the nation and its people, Cardinal Gracias said “we will dedicate all our energies towards that goal.”

The cardinal, who is also the archbishop of Mumbai, said the growing gap between the rich and poor was one of the biggest challenges facing the nation.

He regretted that the opportunities offered in the country were limited to the rich and the prosperous.

Cardinal Gracias expressed the hope that the biennial meeting, which had as its theme “The church’s role for a better India,” will generate enthusiasm and hope among the Christian community.

A record 170 bishops and church leaders from different dioceses of the country are attendeding the February 1-8 meeting in Bangalore, called the Vatican of the East.

The proceedings began with Mass of the Holy Spirit led by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio.

He urged the Christian community in the country to work with “single-heartedness” and without expecting honor or profit for a better future for all.

In his keynote address, Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, called the Christian leaders to be “trustworthy in the household of God and to themselves.”

He reminded the leaders that God has entrusted the people into their hands and it was the responsibility of the leaders not to abuse that trust.

Archbishop Albert D’Souza, secretary general of the CBCI, presented the bishops’ report for the year 2010-2011 during the inaugural meeting.

The CBCI is an umbrella organization of all the Catholic bishops of India, belonging to the Latin, the Syro-Malabar and the Syro-Malankara Rites.

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Jnaduvathusery

Once again a meeting of HYPOCRISY in the form of 170 Bishops of India is in Bangalore. Of the 170 bishops of CBCI three-fourth are of LATIN RITE who always oppose to the just rights of SYRO-MALABAR rite, denying them the ALL-INDIA Jurisdiction. Before 16th century there was no Latin rite existed in India. The Only rite existed then was the oriental rite of St. Thomas Christians from whom follows the present Syro-Malabar church. Only after the arrival of Portuguese, the Latin Church started its roots in India. Because of the UNHOLY alliance of the King of Portugal, at the instance of the Latin Missionaries in India, and the Holy see, the POPE CLEMENT VI UNJUSTLY terminated the All-India Jurisdiction of the St. Thomas Christians. That was the begining of the ECCLECCIASTICAL COLONIALISM of the LATIN CHURCH that continues till today. In this context what is the meaning of 170 Bishops meet and proclaim that there should be peace and justice in India? It is still intriguing that the President of the Pontifical Commission for Peace and JUSTICE addressed the meeting of this 170 Bishops who STILL DENY Justice to the Syro-Malabar Church. Yes, CBCI is only the HYPOCRITICAL FACE of the CHURCH in INDIA!!!!!!
Bhaskar

We have to remove biases that exist among diocese to have great support from the clergy
Parimala Selvaraj

Let us UNITE as ONE SPIRIT, ONE BODY in Christ Jesus, dear brothers/sisters, as we lift up every participant in this unique gathering of Church Leaders, regardless of the way our own personal belief system has gotten mapped

Let us plead in prayer that our Lord Jesus will be magnified in all HIS glory, in every decision that will be taken in here… especially those that involve the able shepherding of HIS flock…

Let us simply pray, pray and continue to pray… that the sacred Mission of this General Body Meeting will result in goals/results, that will make Christ, our Lord proud… just as much for a renewal, a rejuvenation, a re-charging of love, joy, peace and goodwil among all HIS people…

Let us pray for awesome miracles that only HE can shower us with, so as to make HIS Kingdom meaningful and right, far-reaching and bright…

Yes, let us just pray, pray and continue to pray…
With love in Christ Jesus,
Pari, Bangalore, India
Jnaduvathusery

One thing Jesus strongly opposed and spoke against without mincing his words( using ‘curse to you,… woe to you…) was HYPOCRISY. He mainly targeted in this category the High Priests, Pharasees, scribes etc., who were at the helm of the Jewish religion and interpreting the Divine laws to their advantage. The latter even DENIED JUSTICE to the poor and oppressed and misinterpreted the Divine Commandment( cf.Mk.7, 9-13). The present CBCI with three-fourth of its Latin Bishops are almost same as these High Priests, Pharisees and scribes of Jesus’s time denying the All-India Jurisdiction of the Syro-Malabar rite, thus perpetuating the Ecclessiastical Colonialism. HOW LONG WILL CBCI CONTINUE THIS HYPOCRISY?