Indian church convokes National Synodal Assembly in Bangalore

Over 200 delegates, including bishops, priests and laypeople from all the Latin Rite dioceses in India, have gathered in Bangalore for the event entitled ‘Synodal Pilgrims of Hope’. The proceedings focused on four of the priorities outlined in the CCBI’s pastoral programme: accompanying young people and children, poverty and integral ecology, inclusion, interreligious dialogue and peace-building.

Bangalore (AsiaNews) - The Latin Rite Catholic Church in India is currently holding its National Synodal Assembly. Around 220 delegates from across the country have gathered at St John’s Medical College in Bangalore, inspired by the theme “Synodal Pilgrims of Hope”.

The meeting forms part of the global process launched in 2021 by Pope Francis, who invites the people of God throughout the world to walk together in communion, participation and mission. In India, this process has involved consultations at diocesan, regional and national levels. The assembly is attended by 2 cardinals, 25 bishops, 65 priests, over 20 women religious and more than 100 lay faithful, with a broad representation of young people and women.

The proceedings were opened by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, president of the CCBI (the Episcopal Conference bringing together the Indian dioceses of the Latin Rite), who recalled the publication of the pastoral plan “Walking towards a synodal Church: Mission 2033”, and invited all delegates to build upon the vision expressed at the 36th Plenary Assembly held in Bhubaneswar in 2025. From the sixteen pastoral priorities identified in that document, four key themes have been selected for in-depth reflection at this Assembly: interreligious dialogue and peace-building; inclusion of the excluded; poverty and integral ecology; and accompaniment of children and young people. The delegates are engaging in spiritual conversation, following the method tried and tested in small groups at the Synod, which fosters prayerful listening, dialogue and communal discernment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Assembly is also looking towards the Jubilee Year 2033, which will mark the two thousandth anniversary of the Redemption, as a horizon for a renewed missionary commitment.

Yesterday, on the second day of proceedings, the discussion focused on two of the key themes. The session dedicated to the accompaniment of young people and children, moderated by Fr Suresh Mathew, highlighted the need for age-specific pastoral care. Speakers Sunil Antony Thomas and Shoy Thomas highlighted the need for protective measures, including awareness-raising, robust reporting systems and a zero-tolerance approach to abuse. Emphasising that “relationships transform whilst programmes educate”, they called for authentic witness, a deeper sense of belonging and comprehensive accompaniment through peer support and pastoral guidance. The importance of collaboration between family and parish and the promotion of leadership roles for young people was also highlighted, along with the need for meaningful engagement in the digital space.

The session on integral ecology and social inequalities, moderated by Olinda Timms, addressed the interconnection between environmental and social issues. Jean D’Cunha, referring to Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudato Si’”, called for listening to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”, urging sustainable lifestyles and ecological justice. Arlene Manoharan highlighted the growing gap between economic growth and persistent poverty, noting that deprivation goes beyond income and includes access to dignity, education and healthcare. Delegates were asked to respond with concrete actions rooted in justice and inclusion.

This morning, Cardinal Antony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and President of the CBCI (the broader conference which also includes the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara dioceses – ed.), presided over the Eucharistic celebration. “We are not standing still. We are on a journey,” he said, addressing the delegates. “We proceed step by step, but we journey with Jesus.”

The synodal process will continue even after the conclusion of this Assembly’s proceedings today, with further consultations scheduled for September 2026 and culminating in the 38th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI, already set for January 2027. Through prayer, dialogue and shared discernment, the National Synodal Assembly aims to strengthen the mission of the Church in India as a communion of believers walking together in hope.

ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE.