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.
