A delegation comprising 140 Christian priests from the Gujarat Diocese, Church of North India (CNI), led by Bishop Silvanus Christian, visited the Diocese of Amritsar for a one-day spiritual retreat. The event was organised by The Rt Rev Manoj Charan, who currently serves as the Acting Deputy Moderator of CNI, Bishop of Bombay Diocese, with additional responsibilities for Bhopal Diocese and the Diocese of Amritsar.
The Diocese of Amritsar’s official Facebook page described the event as “A Time of Reflection and Fellowship,” highlighting the pleasure they experienced in hosting their fellow clergy members from Gujarat. The retreat provided a valuable opportunity for spiritual reflection, fellowship, and exchange of ideas among the clergy from both dioceses.
The Gujarat Diocese pastors, who are on a tour of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, included Ludhiana in their itinerary before arriving in Amritsar. During their visit to the historical city, the delegation also travelled to the Attari border.
Upon their arrival in Amritsar, the delegation was warmly welcomed by several dignitaries including Mr. Daniel B Das, Secretary of ADTA; Rev Ayub Daniel, Administrator of the Diocese of Amritsar; and Mr. Alwan Masih, former General Secretary of CNI. Bishop Silvanus Christian, accompanied by his wife Jenish, expressed profound joy at visiting Amritsar and praised the hospitable reception accorded to the delegation.
Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Silvanus Christian said, “As we approach Good Friday, commemorating the death of Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, and Easter, marking His resurrection from the dead, we are reminded of the message of hope, love, and redemption that Lord Jesus Christ brought to humanity. May this Easter season bring peace, joy, and renewal to all. And we, as servants of the Lord, are committed to continue spreading His message of love and compassion to all.”
In their social media communication, the Diocese of Amritsar expressed gratitude “for the opportunity to share our hospitality with our brothers and sisters from Gujarat Diocese” and looked forward to “continued fellowship and collaboration with the Gujarat Diocese in the future.”
Bishop Manoj Charan highlighted the significance of the retreat, stating, “The retreat provided an opportunity for spiritual reflection, fellowship, and exchange of ideas among the clergy from Gujarat and Amritsar. The diocese is committed to organising more such events in the future.”
The event was also attended by numerous local functionaries including Mr. Om Prakash, Finance Officer of the Diocese of Amritsar; Mr. Sushil Daniel, Legal Advisor; Rev Rajni Bala; Rev Stephen; Rev Rajkumar; and other officials from the diocese.
It is worth noting that Bishop Manoj Charan recently assumed charge of the Diocese of Amritsar following the superannuation of The Most Rev Dr P K Samantaroy, who served for more than 25 years and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving bishop in a single diocese. Bishop Samantaroy previously held prestigious positions including Deputy Moderator, Moderator, and General Secretary of the CNI, in addition to representing the church in various international forums.
The appointment of Bishop Charan was made by The Most Rev B K Naik, Moderator of the CNI Synod, in accordance with the CNI Constitution, which stipulates that when a bishopric becomes vacant, the Moderator assumes total care and charge of the diocese, with the authority to appoint either a priest from the diocese as his commissary or a Bishop as his episcopal commissary.
Upon taking charge earlier this month, Bishop Charan pledged to prioritise evangelism, education, environmental initiatives, and social outreach programmes, while emphasising the importance of interfaith dialogue to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
