From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jul 28: This National Synod of the Latin Catholic Church in India, which was held in Bengaluru, concluded its three-day sitting on Thursday, July 28 by preparing a road map for the Church in India for the next decade to adopt creative pastoral approaches.

Greater ecclesial communion, participation and mission are the three key aspects of the Synod in accordance with the goal of Pope Francis to evolve Synodal Church in every aspect in order to make her more relevant to our times. 

Cardinal-Designate Most Rev Dr Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Patriarch of East Indies, was the main celebrant while His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal-Designate Most Rev Dr Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad, Most Rev Dr George Anthonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore and Vice-President of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), Most Rev Dr Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore, and many Archbishops, priests, religious and laity were also present during the Inaugural Mass of the National Synod.

At the National Synod, a team consisting of 15 bishops, 12 priests, 10 religious and 27 lay leaders will validate and finalize the Synthesis prepared by the National Synod Desk in collaboration with the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine to be sent to the General Secretariat of the Synod in Rome.

Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao said Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Junior had dreams of a better tomorrow just as Jesus Christ carried on his mission. Fostering communion within and without was the key for a better church, he said.

Cardinal-Designates Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman and Archbishop Anthony Poola of Hyderabad were greeted and welcomed. A book on Value Education was also released in the august presence of all the dignitaries.

The National Synod deliberated in formulating the final report with over 60 delegates representing different dioceses across the country presented a one page report with their opinions, suggestions in drafting the final report. Every presentation was discussed at length and the suggestions offered by the house were taken into consideration.