Latin-rite bishops in India ended their plenary with a call for a catechetical renewal to counter corruption in the country. “Catechetical renewal is imperative in the context of the Church in India today,” said Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in India (CCBI). Widespread corruption and impropriety in all areas of life in India “not only indicates the lacuna in the education, but highlights the urgency of character formation,” he told ucanews.com. Recently, India has been rocked by a series of corruption scandals. More than 120 bishops attended the Jan. 6-12 event in Chennai, southern India. The bishops were deliberating “Catechetical renewal, essential for a vibrant Church.” The bishops urged priests, Religious and the laity to grow in awareness of “our vocation to be catechists by our word and life.” A statement at the concluding day of the plenary stated that the bishops would “make every effort to read the signs of the times in the Indian socio-cultural and multi-religious scenario.” The bishops urged Catholics to participate in the catechetical initiatives of the Church and to become authentic and credible witnesses of faith in their lives. They urged parents to play a vital role in the faith-formation of their children through family prayer and catechesis. During the meeting the draft of the new National Catechetical Directory was discussed. It will be released after the Vatican approves it. The plenary elected Cardinal Telesphore Toppo as the new president of CCBI, Archbishop Philip Neri of Goa as the vice-President and Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal of Kannur as the secretary general. Related reports Bishops aim to enhance Indians’ ‘moral fiber’ Latin-rite bishops to promote vocations, renew priests spiritually Latin Bishops’ Plenary To Discuss Anti-Christian Violence IB12842.1636