CBCI Plenary Assembly Started at Palai, Kerala

The 31st Plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) started at Alphonsa Pastoral Centre, Palai in Kerala. Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio, inaugurated the biennial meeting of CBCI. Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of Palai welcomed the gathering and Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, Vice-President of CBCI, extended the vote of thanks.

Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops from three Indian Catholic Rites – Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara and Latin – attend the 8-day meet. All the 184 bishops and office-bearers of various CBCI commissions joined a concelebrated mass as part of the opening of the meet.

Addressing the assembly of bishops from all parts of the country, the Apostolic Nuncio recalled that the welfare of the rejected and marginalised was an important mission as enjoined by the Second Vatican Council.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the President of CBCI, presided the opening session.

The meet is expected to discuss organisational, spiritual and social issues affecting the Church in India.