Family issues focus of plenary assembly of bishops at Ranchi

Ranchi – The theme of the seventh plenary assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India–Latin Rite is ‘Family: Good News for India,’ Fr. S. Sebastian, deputy secretary general, CCBI has confirmed.

The venue for the meeting is the Social Development Centre of the Ranchi Archdiocese. The inaugural Mass will take place in the cathedral and the participating prelates from across the country will be accorded a civic reception on March 6 in the Loyola Grounds.

“The significance of this theme can hardly be exaggerated. For personal, social and Christian living, the family is very important. Jesus himself lived in the family. The Holy Family is a model par excellence for all of us,” said Fr. Sebastian in a press release to SAR News.

“Today, unfortunately on account of mobility, poverty, materialism and moral relativism, family life is at risk. Foundations for the Church’s mission of evangelisation are laid in the family. Foundations for a happy and a successful life in society too are laid in the family,” he added.

The plenary assembly will take into account the challenges, problems, threats and opportunities with regard to the family, the release said.

As part of the CCBI assembly, a survey on the family situation had been conducted in the dioceses in India, Fr. Sebastian informed.

The assembly, the first to be held in the tribal heartland of Jharkhand, will be held from March 4–8, with the executive committee meeting scheduled for March 3.

Of the 157 members of the Conference, 135 are expected to attend the meeting, sources in Archbishop’s House said.

Secretary to BIJHAN (Bihar, Andamans and Jharkhand) Bishops’ Conference, Fr. Cherubim Tirkey, said that committees were being formed to look after the various aspects of the Assembly, including accommodation and reception of the CCBI members, liturgy and meeting place.