By Matters India Reporter
Vailankanni, December 30, 2019: The Conference of the Diocesan Priests’ of India (CDPI) will hold the second diocesan priests’ national congress late January next year.
The January 28-31 congress will have the theme “The Joy of Priesthood.”
The CDPI is considered the association of progressive diocesan priests of the country.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, President of Conference of Catholic Bishops’ of India (CCBI) will deliver a keynote address.
Many Archbishops and Bishops are awaited to participate and grace the congress, said Father Raymond Joseph, executive secretary, CCBI Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy and Religious (VSCR).
Father Michael Ani, president and Father Philomin Doss, vice president will be streamlining the entire program under the leadership of Bishop Udumala Bala of Warrangal, Chairman, VSCR, patron CDPI and Bishop Jebalamai Susaimanickam of Sivagangai, regional chairman for VSCR, patron of CDPI (Tamil Nadu-Pondicherry region).
CDPI began in 2001 and it was recognized as an association of diocesan priests in 2008 by CCBI and its revised statutes were finally approved in 2014.
The objectives of CDPI are to strengthen the relationship by building up unity among priests and to deepen fraternity between bishops and priests, to continue ongoing formation in accordance with pastoral spirituality and signs of the time and to widen the pastoral bond among priests beyond the borders of the respective dioceses and create a web of mutual support in realizing the reign of God locally and in the universal church.
CDPI under the guidance of the CCBI Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy and Religious has undertaken various programs in the last two decades to realize these objectives.
One of the milestones in the life of the association was the National Congress of Priests in 2010 organized by then secretary, Father John Kulanthai in Vailankanni, which received a big resonance and enthused the spirit of fraternal unity and pastoral zeal among the diocesan priests.
Due to the requests of priests from various regions CCBI Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy and Religious together with CDPI National Council is organizing the second National Congress of the diocesan priests in the premises of Vailankanni Shrine in order to revive priests’ pastoral enthusiasm and relive priestly unity.
The entire congress will celebrate the joy of priesthood through various events. The subtopics for each day are joy in celebrating Christ, joy in building the reign of God and being messengers of joy.
The program opens with a session for sharing the joy of priesthood by priests from all the regions and there will be four-panel discussions. The first one is on the self-identification of the joy of priesthood, secondly identification of priesthood by others, third on the role of diocesan priests in building up joyful communities and the fourth will be on diocesan priests in alternative new ministries today.
The entire program will be sandwiched by concelebrated Holy Masses and adorations, Marian devotions and other spiritual activities.
Cultural programs by Trichi Kalaikavaeri, Salem Mooventhar Kalai Kuzhu, Jalandhar Pastoral Centre will add colours and enhance the spirit of the congress.
There will be ample opportunities to meet each other and exchange each one’s pastoral and spiritual experiences. Indeed it is going to be a mega event to revive the spirituality and solidarity of the diocesan priests, said Father Joseph.
All the diocesan priests are cordially invited and for practical reasons, the number of participants from each diocese is restricted between 15 to 20 priests.