Tamil Nadu Lay Leaders Learning the Final Document in View of Jubilee 2025. Regional Symposium on 'Challenges and Invitations of Jubilee 2025'
On 1 March 2025, the Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council (TNBC) Commission for the Laity organized a Regional Symposium on Challenges and Invitations of Jubilee 2025 at the TNBC Laity Training Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The event, which brought together 312 lay faithful and priests from 18 dioceses of the Tamil Nadu Region, was a significant step in deepening the understanding of the Final Document of the Synod and preparing for the Jubilee Year.
His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Antony Pappusamy, Archbishop Emeritus of Madurai and Chairman of the TNBC Commission for the Laity, delivered the presidential address, emphasizing the necessity of overcoming division, differentiation, and indifference to foster a more synodal spirit within the local churches. “We need to overcome the challenges of division, differentiation, and indifference in order to be more synodal in our local churches,” he remarked, setting the tone for the discussions that followed.
Fr. Maria Michael, Secretary to the TNBC Commission for the Laity, provided an orientation address, framing the symposium’s objectives. “We are reflecting on the invitations of the Jubilee 2025 in the light of the synod for a synodal Church,” he said, inviting participants to actively engage with the themes of the event.
Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, CCBI National Coordinator for Jubilee 2025, delivered an insightful presentation on the role of lay faithful as articulated in the Final Document of the Synod. His exposition enabled participants to see their role in the Church’s mission with renewed clarity. The session was moderated by Mrs. Dhanaseeli Dhivyanathan.
Adding a socio-cultural and political perspective, Mr. Eronimus, an educationist, contextualized Jubilee 2025 within the contemporary realities of Tamil Nadu. This was further complemented by the contribution of Adv. Mr. Rajan, who proposed synodal actions aimed at transformative engagement in society and Church life. These sessions were moderated by Fr. Nithiya Sagayam Anthony OFM Cap, and Mr. Henry Julius respectively.
During the session, the CCBI Pastoral Plan Mission 2033 was also introduced, enriching the participants’ understanding of the Church’s long-term vision for evangelization and mission.
Voices from the Participants
Mr. Arul Bhaskar, a lay leader from the Archdiocese of Madurai, shared her reflection: “This symposium has been a profound experience of learning and dialogue. The emphasis on synodality has given me a fresh perspective on how laypeople can actively participate in shaping the Church’s future. I feel inspired to initiate small synodal communities in my parish.”
Mrs. Mary Regina, from the Diocese of Salem, echoed similar sentiments: “Hearing about the Final Document of the Synod and Mission 2033 has motivated me to be more involved in my parish. The discussions on overcoming divisions within our communities were particularly striking. We, as lay leaders, have a crucial role in fostering unity and mission.”
The event began with a procession carrying the Jubilee 2025 cross symbolically marking the journey as pilgrims. At the open hour at the end of the symposium, an action plan was devised to carry the works of the Commission forward in the Jubilee Year.
The symposium concluded with a collective commitment from the participants to embrace the Jubilee 2025 as a time of renewal and transformation. The event was a landmark in preparing the Tamil Nadu lay faithful for a more participatory and mission-oriented Church, embodying the vision of a truly synodal community.