Conference of Catholic Bishops of India Hosts Webinar on 'Instrumentum Laboris - II' for the Synod October Session '24
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) conducted a webinar on the Working Document 'Instrumentum Laboris - II,' focusing on 'How to be a Missionary Synodal Church?' This online event took place on Monday, 16 September 2024, from 6:00 pm to 6:55 pm via Google Meet.
The webinar aimed to unlock insights on lay participation, local churches, and living the mission in preparation for the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary Synod for a Synodal Church (2021-2024).
The event featured a presidential address by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa-Daman and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.
The keynote speaker was Rev. Prof. Dr. Merlin Rengith Ambrose, a faculty member at Saint Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, and Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Canon Law & Legislative Texts. Their addresses centered on the importance of synodality, emphasizing a collaborative and participatory approach to the Church's mission.
Special invitees included Archbishops and Bishops of the Conference, diocesan administrators, executive secretaries of various commissions, department heads, regional deputy secretaries, diocesan contact persons, priests, men and women religious, seminarians, formation houses, and professionals. Young people and all those resolved to embrace the synodal mission were also encouraged to participate.
"Very well summarised, and very well presented!," Archbishop Vincent Aind of Ranchi remarked.
The session provided a platform for deep reflection on the themes of communion, participation, and mission, fostering a spirit of collaboration and co-responsibility in the Church. This event marks a significant step in the CCBI's ongoing efforts to promote a synodal and missionary-oriented Church.
The event was convened by Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, National Coordinator for Synod for a Synodal Church, and Jubilee 2025. Earlier, Rev. Sr. Dr. Nathalie Becquart XMCJ, Undersecretary, Synod General Secretariat, writing to the Convenor said, "Congratulations on organising this event. It's truly encouraging to see such dedicated efforts to engage with and disseminate the work of the Synod. Your commitment to fostering understanding and dialogue around these crucial documents is commendable."
Mr. Charles Bertille of Porticus, from Malaysia, congratulated saying, "Thank you Frs. Merlin and Yesu for a very rich and fruitful program. Grateful to the Church in India and Cardinal Ferrão."
Fr. Ritchie Vincent, a priest of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore commented, "Ever since Pope Francis took the chair of St. Peter, I've been eagerly awaiting deep, lasting changes that will help us become an increasingly Christ-like Church. I'm glad to see the Church moving in this direction. However, without building consensus before implementing these proposed changes, we risk losing the faithful."
287 logged-in participants from India, Malaysia, the Philippines, the USA, Finland, Italy, Germany, and Kenya attended the webinar.
Click here to view the recorded Webinar
