Bengaluru: ‘Catholic Connect,’ a mobile app platform designed to connect the Indian Catholic Community globally, was officially launched just prior to the 35th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Apart from emergency aid, the app aims to provide access to spiritual resources, relevant news information, and Catholic life services, including health, insurance, education, jobs, etc. Furthermore, people can locate churches in their area and make use of the services offered by the churches in India.
The CCBI meeting discussed a number of issues pertaining to the 196 bishops and 132 dioceses that make up the Latin Catholic Church in India.
The solemn Eucharistic liturgy marked the beginning of the 35th Plenary Assembly. The event was presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal. Prayers were offered specifically for the people of Manipur who are suffering, and for world peace.
His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, delivered a message urging bishops in India to foster, maintain, and strengthen communion, particularly among the diverse churches in India. Cardinal Tagle conveyed this special message to the CCBI.
Emphasising the importance of true fraternal communion, Cardinal Tagle stated, “It is essential to act in the spirit of genuine fraternal communion so that the Good News can be effectively and fruitfully preached. There should not be any room for disharmony or rivalry; the only aim of each church is to give testimony to the life of Christ by being faithful disciples of the Master.”
The message was eloquently conveyed by Archbishop George Antonysamy, vice president of CCBI and the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore.
The inaugural meeting, following the Eucharistic celebration, commenced with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, marked by the chanting of the traditional hymn ‘Veni Creator Spiritus.’ Dignitaries lit the traditional Indian lamp, symbolising the beginning of the assembly.
Presiding over the meeting was His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, the President of CCBI and the Archbishop of Goa and Daman. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio, inaugurated the Assembly.
Archbishop George Antonysamy, Vice President of CCBI and Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore, welcomed the gathering. The annual report of CCBI was presented by Archbishop Anil Couto, Secretary General of CCBI and the Archbishop of Delhi. Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, the Deputy Secretary General of CCBI, proposed the vote of thanks. The inaugural session concluded with a prayer led by His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad.
During the Assembly, recently appointed bishops were welcomed as members, and a moment of silence was observed as a collective gesture of respect and remembrance for departed members of the Conference.
A heartfelt tribute was offered to the memory of Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, the esteemed former President of the CCBI, who departed from this world on October 4, 2023. The Assembly stood united in honouring the life and contribution of Cardinal Toppo, a luminary whose presence continues to resonate in the hearts and minds of all who were touched by his person.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão released liturgical books, including the Weekday and Sunday Missals, along with User Guides for Canon Law and Complementary Norms of Canon Law.
The CCBI, through its 16 commissions, 7 departments, and 4 apostolates, animates the Church in India. The main secretariat is in Bengaluru, with extensions in Goa, Delhi, and Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh.
The Catholic Connect app is a good idea. It should not just be a digital version of the Catholic Directory of India
So Cardinal Luis Tagle sent a “message”. Did he enquire what happened to his order of 15th August 2020 for William the Conqueror to undergo a paternity test?