The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has elected new office bearers and committee heads to lead its various commissions and institutions as the 2026 General Body Meeting concluded.

The week-long assembly, held from February 4 to 10 at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, brought together bishops from across the country to reflect on pastoral priorities and the Church’s engagement with contemporary society. Key discussions focused on social welfare, education, healthcare, pastoral ministry, and coordinated responses to emerging challenges facing both the Church and the nation.

During the proceedings, Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi was elected secretary general. Several bishops were also appointed to head important CBCI offices and institutions to ensure coordinated leadership across different sectors.

Bishop Vincent Paulos was elected chairman of the Office for Labour and Migrants, while Bishop Joseph Kallaranghat will head Dialogue and the Desk for Ecumenism. Bishop Johannes Gorantla, OCD, was chosen to lead the Office for Clergy, Religious and NVSC, and Archbishop Elias Gonsalves will chair Education and Culture. Archbishop Thomas Netto will oversee Healthcare, and Bishop Jaya Rao Polimera will head the Office for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.

Additional appointments include Bishop Telesphore Bilung, SVD, for Tribal Affairs; Bishop Vijay Kumar Rayalara, PIME, for Social Communications and NISCORT; Archbishop Raphy Manjaly for Doctrine; Bishop Ivan Pereira for Environment and Climate Change; Archbishop Peter Machado for Justice, Peace and Development; and Archbishop Linus Neli for Caritas India. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to unity, service and collaborative pastoral mission.

After completing his medical studies at a top medical college in Bengaluru, 30-year-old Dr. Akshya Montry chose to return to his home district of Gajapati in Odisha, one of India’s most remote and underdeveloped regions. Raised in a poor village family, he says his own life struggles helped him understand the suffering of the people he now serves.

Dr. Montry works at the Kashinagar Community Health Center, a government hospital that mainly serves tribal and Dalit communities. Starting his day early, he treats 50 to 100 patients daily, handling common illnesses, emergencies, and accident cases. He considers his work a blessing and tries to treat every patient with care and respect.

Dr. Montry says he owes his medical education to the support of the Catholic Church. When his family could not afford the high admission fees, Church leaders and benefactors stepped in to help him through scholarships, donations, and fee concessions. This support continued throughout his studies, making it possible for him to complete his degree.

Now, Dr. Montry wants to specialize further while also helping poor students achieve their dreams. Odisha faces a serious shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas. Government reports show that many medical posts remain vacant, affecting healthcare delivery in tribal districts.

Church leaders say such achievements are remarkable, especially after the anti-Christian violence that affected Odisha in 2007–2008, disrupting education for many families. Today, there are dozens of Catholic doctors and nurses from poor backgrounds serving across the state.

Dr. Montry believes education restores dignity and hope. By serving his own people, he hopes to give back to society and inspire other young students to serve the poor with compassion and commitment.

The heavy iron gates of a central prison in Bengaluru opened recently for an 85-year-old Catholic nun, Sister Adele Korah. A guard saluted her and said, “Your people have been waiting for you.” Smiling, she replied that she too was eager to see them. For more than 20 years, Sister Korah has been visiting prisons as a volunteer, bringing hope, comfort, and faith to inmates.

In October 2025, Sister Korah and several other nuns published books sharing their experiences with prisoners across India. Her book, My Journey With Brethren Behind Bars, tells stories of 27 prisoners whose lives were renewed through encouragement and inner change. Other nuns wrote similar books, sharing stories of repentance, healing, and second chances from prisons in Bhopal, Pune, and Bengaluru.

The books were released during a national prison ministry convention in Kerala, where the ministry began over four decades ago. Today, the prison ministry has about 8,000 volunteers, nearly half of them Catholic religious, mostly nuns. They offer spiritual guidance, counseling, legal help, education, and skill training to prisoners.

Many nuns described prison ministry as the deepest expression of their vocation. Some help prisoners get bail or learn new skills, while others use music, prayer, and simple presence to heal wounded hearts. Several also continue supporting former prisoners after their release.

Church leaders say the dedication of these women has transformed prisons into places of renewal and hope. Through quiet service, prayer, and sacrifice, the nuns help prisoners rediscover dignity, faith, and the courage to begin again—even behind locked gates.

Every year on January 26, India celebrates Republic Day with grand parades, cultural performances, and patriotic displays. In 2026, the country will mark 77 years since the Constitution came into force, turning India into a sovereign, secular republic. Across the nation, schools hold flag-hoisting ceremonies, families share sweets, and millions watch the parade from New Delhi.

The Constitution, adopted on January 26, 1950, promised equality, freedom, and justice for all citizens, regardless of caste, religion, or gender. It was shaped by leaders like B.R. Ambedkar, who warned that democracy would survive only if social and economic equality were achieved along with political freedom.

However, many observers note a growing gap between constitutional ideals and present realities. In recent years, concerns have been raised over arrests of political leaders, pressure on journalists, and legal action against students for protests. Critics say these actions challenge the Constitution’s guarantee of free speech and political rights.

Minority communities, especially Muslims, have also expressed fear and insecurity, pointing to laws and actions they feel undermine equality before the law. At the same time, economic inequality remains severe, with millions struggling in poverty despite constitutional promises of social justice. Dalits and tribal communities continue to face discrimination and displacement, while farmers’ protests highlight ongoing distress in rural areas.

The judiciary, seen as the guardian of the Constitution, has also faced criticism for delays in justice and weak enforcement of rights. Despite these challenges, India continues to hold regular elections, and civil society groups keep raising their voices.

Church leaders have strongly condemned the alleged assault and public humiliation of a Protestant pastor in Odisha, calling the incident a serious blow to India’s democratic and secular values. They have demanded swift and strict action against those responsible for attacks on Christians.

The incident took place on January 4 in Pajrang village of Dhenkanal district. According to church sources, a group of around 20 right-wing Hindu activists surrounded Pastor Bipin Bihari Nayak, accused him of religious conversion, and assaulted him with wooden sticks. He was reportedly garlanded with slippers, paraded through village lanes, and forced to drink water mixed with cow dung, all in public view.

The pastor suffered serious injuries, including hearing loss in one ear, and is now recovering at an undisclosed location. Family members said he is also facing severe mental trauma. His wife and two young daughters witnessed the attack. Following threats, the family was forced to leave their rented home, and other Christians in the area were warned to renounce their faith or face eviction.

Although a police complaint was filed, church members alleged there was initial delay in action. Police later said that four people were detained for questioning.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India strongly condemned the attack, calling it an inhuman act that violated personal dignity and religious freedom. The bishops expressed solidarity with the victim and urged authorities to ensure safety and justice for all citizens.

Church leaders and Christian groups have also expressed concern over a rise in attacks on Christians in Odisha in recent months. They appealed for peace, harmony, and respect for religious freedom, urging the government to take firm steps to prevent such incidents and protect minority communities.

Bishop Emeritus Dominic Kokkat of Gorakhpur, the first bishop from the Little Flower Congregation (CST), passed away on January 25 at the age of 93. He breathed his last at 10:58 am at Fatima Hospital, Gorakhpur, a healthcare institution he himself established in 1995. The bishop had been admitted to the hospital on December 14, 2025, with fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. Doctors later confirmed that he was suffering from severe pneumonia, with fluid accumulation around the lungs and complications affecting the heart and kidneys. His condition gradually worsened, and he remained under intensive care for over a month. He received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on December 21, 2025.

Remembering him, leaders of the Little Flower Congregation described Bishop Kokkat as a pastor deeply inspired by St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. His life reflected simplicity, humility, and love expressed through daily acts of service. His episcopal ministry was marked by patient listening, gentle guidance, and total trust in God.

Bishop Kokkat was installed as the first bishop of Gorakhpur on October 4, 1984. His leadership strengthened missionary outreach in a challenging region through parishes, schools, clinics, and social service centres, bringing hope and dignity to the poor and marginalized. He also founded the Little Sisters of St. Thérèse to support missionary and pastoral work, especially among women and children. Bishop Kokkat retired in 2006. Born on February 23, 1932, in Vaikom, Kerala, in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, he joined the Little Flower Congregation in 1953 and was ordained a priest on October 4, 1960.

‘The Chosen Encounter’ marked a major highlight of the JAAGO National Conference held at Christ University, bringing together over 12,000 youth from dioceses across India. The large-scale gathering stood out as one of the most significant national youth events of the year, with participants engaging in faith-centred reflection and collective worship. The encounter was based on the television series ‘The Chosen’.

Led by Ajin Joseph, Catholic Engagement Manager of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), the encounter used selected scenes and testimonies from The Chosen to invite young participants to reflect on the life of Christ, prompting many to describe the experience as deeply personal and spiritually enriching.

During the session, organisers announced the theatrical release of The Chosen: The Crucifixion, scheduled for February 2027. Youth were encouraged to support the release by watching the film in theatres and promoting it within their local communities. Several participants expressed their commitment to attend the screening and to invite others, viewing the initiative as an opportunity to witness to their faith. The encounter included moments of prayer and reflection, during which many youth shared testimonies of renewed faith and inspiration emerging from the session.

A 37-year-old man from Kerala is on an all-India cycle journey with a unique mission: to build India’s first housing enclave for persons with disabilities by collecting just one rupee from people he meets. Raneesh Thattaruparambil, a mobile shop owner, began his “Mission One Rupee” in January 2021 with a schoolteacher friend. After a six-month break in 2025 due to personal reasons, he resumed the journey on January 7, this time accompanied by his wife Rajini and their fourth-grade son, Rio. Kerala Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar flagged off the second phase at the Pathanamthitta bus stand.

Raneesh said the idea was born from a desire to “leave a mark on the world” by helping the most vulnerable. The project aims to build houses for five physically disabled families who have neither land nor homes. Funds collected during the first phase were used to purchase land and lay foundation stones for five houses at Ambalavayal in Wayanad.

The family travels in a custom-built cycle caravan, a compact mobile home equipped with basic amenities powered by solar energy. Along the way, they request just one rupee from individuals, though many choose to give more. Raneesh said the public response has been largely supportive, despite occasional hesitation due to concerns over charity misuse. Once completed, the project is expected to become India’s first residential colony dedicated to families with disabilities.

Church leaders, educationists and representatives of Catholic institutions gathered at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) for an interaction titled “Listening with the Heart: A Shared Journey in Education and Culture,” featuring Archbishop Carlo Maria Polvani, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

Jointly organised by the CBCI Office for Education and Culture, the Karnataka Regional Commission for Education and CHRIST University, the programme addressed contemporary questions related to Catholic education and cultural engagement in India.

In his address, Archbishop Polvani highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage as a valuable resource for the Church’s mission in education and society. Referring to rapid advances in artificial intelligence, genetics and biotechnology, he spoke of the emergence of the “digital human” and warned that these developments would reshape humanity at an anthropological level. He stressed the need to ensure that technology serves the common good rather than directing human destiny. He also pointed to India’s lived experience of religious and cultural diversity, describing it as a model of “disarmed peace” that offers insights into coexistence in complex societies.

Bishop Elias Gonsalves, Chairman of the CBCI Education Apostolate, underlined the importance of collective reflection and collaboration in responding to changing educational realities. A session on “Challenges and Opportunities” featured contributions from Fr Charles Maria, Secretary of CBCI Education, and Fr Jose C., Vice Chancellor of CHRIST University. Perspectives from school and college education were shared by Dr Sr Deepti, Dr Sr Louiza and Sr Jessy Pereira. An interactive session allowed participants to engage Archbishop Polvani on education, culture and the Church’s pastoral mission, moderated by Dr Fr Francis Assisi Almeida.

A major ecumenical summit held in Chennai has resolved to strengthen the Christian community’s socio-economic and political empowerment while safeguarding its constitutional rights.

Nearly 6,000 representatives from different Christian denominations across India participated in “Tabor 2025,” organised at the St. Thomas Mount National Shrine Basilica. The event was conducted simultaneously at four venues for youth, children, religious and lay participants.

The summit marked the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was adopted as a foundational expression of Christian faith. Organisers said the initiative will continue until 2033, when Christians commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Christ.

Held at the traditional site of the martyrdom of St Thomas the Apostle, the gathering took place against the backdrop of increasing attacks on Christians in several parts of the country. Under the theme “Christianity: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” speakers reflected on the Church’s responsibilities amid social challenges and religious intolerance.

Participants highlighted the Church’s contributions to education, healthcare, social justice and development, while expressing concern over the suffering faced by Christian communities. Calls were made for unity, prayer and collective action against injustice and discrimination. Speakers also urged Christians to overcome social evils such as caste discrimination, dowry and corruption.

The summit emphasised the constitutional values of equality, liberty and fraternity, urging believers to defend these principles. Concluding resolutions stressed active participation in nation-building, ethical use of media, and the need to strengthen Christian identity rooted in love, peace and reconciliation.