By C V Joseph
Bengaluru, Feb 13, 2020: Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro on February 13 urged Catholic bishops in the country to lead their people in proclaiming the good news through joyful services.
Nearly 200 bishops representing 174 dioceses in India are currently attending their biennial plenary assembly at Bengaluru’s St John’s Academy of Medical Sciences.
Speaking at the opening session, the nuncio conveyed to the good wishes and blessings of Pope Francis to the participants while calling for effective and dynamic leadership for better service to the people.
The nuncio led the inaugural Mass presided along with Cardinals Oswald Gracias, George Alencherry and Baselios Cleemis.
The Theme of the February 13-19 assembly is “Dialogue: The Path to Truth and Charity.”
The nuncio said all are called to foster harmony and peace in society.
The nuncio also assured the bishops that he would convey to the Pope their filial greetings. He appreciated the services rendered by various Catholic organizations under the leadership of the local bishops.
The nuncio then stressed that, ‘The proclamation of the good news must be carried out through the joyful services’.
The Church has been always championing the cause for continuous dialogue and peaceful interaction to build the world community and therefore it was necessary to break down walls of separation and build the bridges of unity, Cardinal Gracias said.
Archbishop George Njaralakatt, CBCI Vice President-II, read out the congratulatory messages from the Prefect of the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples, and the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, Vice President-I of CBCI, read out the detailed report of the activities of the CBCI during the past two years.
He said the Church in India carried out its dedicated service in spite of hardships, crises and conflicts in certain parts of the country.
The CBCI through its various commissions has been rendering commendable services to all the people without any discrimination in the fields of education, social work, health care and ecology.
One of the highlights of the plenary session is three separate meetings specifically related to the three rites – Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches.
The participants will deliberate on the theme extensively with a view to finding out new avenues for dialogue and unity within and outside the Christian community.
The representatives of other religions have been invited to address the participants to share their views on the theme of the assembly.
Archbishops Peter Machado, in his welcome address, said Bengaluru is known for hospitality and goodwill to those who come for various purposes. Undoubtedly, there is an influx of migrants from different parts of the nation who come here for their education and work.
This year the archdiocese is celebrating the “Year of the Poor” as the primary commitment is to follow the footsteps of Lord Jesus Christ who reached out God’s mercy and compassion, love and care to the needy and the poor.
He said the Bangalore Archdiocese has initiated 10 action plans: simple life style; avoidance of the culture of waste; education of poor children; feeding the hungry; healing the sick; supporting the imprisoned; welcoming the immigrants; providing shelter to the homeless and concern for specially abled.