National level

The 31st Plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) commenced on February 4, at Alphonsian Pastoral Institute, Arunapuram, Palai, Kerala, with a concelebrated Eucharist presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennachio, Apostolic Nuncio to India, and concelebrated by CBCI President His Eminence Oswlad Cardinal Gracias, vice presidents His Eminence Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Archbishop George Valiamattam, Secretary General Archbishop Albert D’Souza, 185 archbishops, bishops and secretaries of CBCI Offices and directors of national centres lf the CBCI. The weeklong assembly will deliberate on the theme: Renewed Church for a Renewed Society- Responding to the Call of the Vatican II.  With 185 bishops in attendance, Cardinal Oswald Gracias called the Palai plenary the biggest so far in the history of the CBCI. India, which is the fourth largest bishops’ conference in the world, has 167 dioceses.  

Fr. Franklin D’Souza, Secretary for CBCI office for Youth participated in the 31st plenary together with other secretaries of the CBCI Office. On February 7th at 5 pm he presented the biennial report (2012-2014) for the assembly. Assembly congratulated the effort of CBCI office for Youth under the able guidance of its chairman Archbishop Leo Cornelio. Fr. Franklin also thanked bishops for their constant support. To commemorate 25 years of association with Taize community of France, CBCI office for Youth prepared a book called “Taize Echoe’s in India”. This was released by CBCI President His Eminence Oswlad Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and handed over the first copy to His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi.

On February 9th CBCI secretaries as well as directors of National institutes organised a pilgrimage to visit pilgrimage centres. Plenary concluded on February 12, 2014.