Become Christ’s followers, not his fans: Indian bishops told

Light of Truth

Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli on January 28 urged India’s Latin rite bishops to become the disciples of Christ and not just his fans. When Jesus worked miracles, he had many fans watching him, but only a few chose to follow him generally, said the nuncio in his homily at the opening Mass of the 36th plenary assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).
The CCBI, the largest national episcopal conference in Asia and the fourth largest globally, represents 132 dioceses and 209 bishops in India. The January 28-February 4 plenary on the theme, “Discerning synodal pathways for mission,” is being held at the Xavier Institute of Management University in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha state in eastern India. The plenary is poised to be a landmark event, fostering collaboration and renewal as the Church discerns its future path in mission and synodality, says a press statement issued by the conference’s deputy secretary general Father Stephen Alathara.
Reminding the bishops that that their episcopal mission in India, the nuncio urged them to pray to the Holy Spirit for a greater opening to respond faithfully to the tasks and responsibilities of the Church. The nuncio referred to the Gospel of the day, where Jesus denounces his sentimental attachments with his mother and embraces universal brotherhood, symbolically opening the door to people of all ethnicities and social statuses. He pointed out that unity comes from journeying together.
The nuncio applauded the Indian Church’s contribution towards the development of society. The current challenge of the Church is to engage with those who are deeply afflicted through climate change, poverty, and digital media, and those who remain excluded from our ecclesiastical structure, he said. Archbishop Girelli expressed his concern about the emerging challenges in India. He affirmed that India is a land of the young, but finding a job for all is a challenge, and that leads to migration. He stressed that the church has a role to play in addressing the causes of migration.

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