36th Plenary Assembly of CCBI
Pope Francis has called on the Indian Bishops to prioritize the poor and the vulnerable in their ministry urging them to open wide the doors of the Church, in his address to the 36th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI). The assembly is being held at XIM University in the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
The assembly was inaugurated by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, who also presided over the solemn Eucharistic Celebration marking the event’s commencement. Archbishop John Barwa, S.V.D., welcomed the bishops and dignitaries to Odisha, describing it as the land of vibrant tribal cultures.
The assembly also welcomed the newly appointed Bishops and observed a moment of prayerful silence for the departed members of the Conference.
With the theme “Discerning Synodal Pathways for Mission,” the assembly has drawn 204 Bishops of the Latin Church in India to reflect on the Church’s mission. The first three days of the event are dedicated to spiritual conversations, offering a retreat-like atmosphere for reflection on the ten priorities outlined in the Working Document.