Church must constantly reflect challenges of times: CBCI President

The church in India must constantly reflect on the challenges of the times and act as one body, said the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), Cardinal Oswald Gracias.

Speaking at a two-day meeting of national and regional deputy secretaries of CBCI in New Delhi, the Cardinal stressed the role of the national centre and the regional structures in dealing with major concerns like social justice, rights of the marginalised and other values of the Gospel.

As the CBCI deals with surpra-ritual matters it must engage in dealing with public affairs and must reflect the face of the Church in the country. It must engage in lobbying, advocacy and effective use of media, he said.

CBCI Secretary General Archbishop Albert D'Souza spoke of the need to journey together to vitalize the church and to achieve targets set for the future.

The October 11-12 meeting reviewed the functioning of the national offices and the regional structures. It also discussed and agreed on an action plan to address emerging challenges and concerns both at the regional and national level.

The meeting also discussed the proposed theme of the next General Body meeting of the CBCI scheduled to be held at St. John's Medical College, Bangalore in February 2012.

The theme 'Church's Role for a Better India' is timely and relevant for the Church in the country, said Cardinal Gracias.

The participants proposed that the theme be further studied in regions and dioceses as a follow up throughout the year 2012.