Dec 24, 2017: Catholic Conference of Bishops’ of India (CCBI)’s Commission for Ecumenism held its National Seminar during the Annual Visit to India of Most Rev. Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) on December 14-15, 2017 at Vimalagiri Pastoral Center, Kottayam. Bishop Farrell comes to India every December for the dialogue of Roman Catholic Church and with the Orthodox Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
This was also an occasion to reflect upon the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s attempt to reform the Church, whose commemoration got just completed. CCBI Ecumenical Commission Members Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan of Punalur Diocese and Bishop M.D. Prakasam of Nellore Diocese were present for the Seminar although its Chairperson Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado, Bishop of Vasai Diocese, could not make it. From among the Regional Chairpersons of the Commission, Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi Archdiocese and Bishop T. Joseph Raja Rao of Vijayawada Diocese attended it. About 11 Regional Secretaries of Ecumenism, 10 Diocesan Secretaries, 8 Professors of Ecumenism and 20 special invitees including the Major Superiors and Official of the Dioceses participated in the National Seminar.
The programme began on Dec. 14, 2017 with the introductory words and welcome by the Local Ordinary Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril of Vijayapuram Diocese. The opening prayer was led by Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, Regional Secretary of Telugu Region, and the welcome address was delivered by Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan. After the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, Bishop Brian Farrell gave the inaugural address laying stress on purification of memories through forgiveness of each other. Differences between the Churches cannot be excuses to meet or work together, he underlined . Purpose of the Seminar and the Annual Report of the National Commission was offered by Fr Gilbert Aranha, National Secretary of CCBI Commission for Ecumenism. Archbishop Anil Couto, an expert in Ecumenical Studies, delivered the Key-Note Address tiled: “From Conflict to Communion” highlighting the ecumenical issues of post 500th year of Reformation.
A session on United Christian Prayer for India (UCPI), a recent national ecumenical movement, was conducted by Mohan Phillip and Dr Raju Abraham. Most Rev. Vincent Concessao, Archbishop-Emeritus of Archdiocese of Delhi, Chairperson of UCPI, introduced the movement and the facilitators. The Bishop of the new Church of South India (CSI) Diocese of Kollam-Kottarakara, Rt. Rev. George Oommen spoke on the commemoration of the 500 years of Protestant Reformation and its relevance for addressing the present day challenges that demand further reformation of the Churches.
In the afternoon session, Msgr. Gabriel Quicke of the PCPCU gave an update on the on-going dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church with the Orthodox Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Bishop Brian Farrell appraised the participants on the latest developments in the global ecumenical movement. He highlighted the fruitful dialogue of the Catholics and Lutherans which led to the Joint Commemoration of the 500 years of Reformation and the Common Prayer. He also mentioned about the other dialogues with the Orthodox, Anglican, Pentecostal and other Church groups. He presided over the Holy Eucharist that was held in the evening at the Vimalagiri Cathedral-Shrine and preached the homily.
The second day of the National Seminar began with the Holy Eucharist presided over by Bishop T.J. Raja Rao who also gave a sermon reminding the participants on the need to develope ecumenical relations. The first session consisted of the talk given by Bishop M.D. Prakasam on: “Ecumenism in the Present Indian Scenario: Its Difficulties and Challenges”. The next session on the presentation of reports by the Regional Secretaries was moderated by Bishop T.J. Raja Rao.
The concluding session before lunch that witnessed the emergence of many suggestions for the future ecumenical ministry in India was chaired by Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan. The Seminar gave a boost to the participants especially to the Regional and Diocesan Secretaries, to take forward the ecumenical movement in India with a fresh commitment to the ecumenical ministry brought about by the commemoration of 500 years of Reformation in the Churches.
Report by Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, Regional Secretary of TCBC Commission for Ecumenism.
