The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Commission for Women organized its Second National Resource Team Training Programme from March 9 to 11 at Nava Spoorthy Kendra in Bengaluru. The programme brought together 33 women leaders from five regions across India to strengthen leadership and promote safeguarding within the Church.
The three-day training focused on encouraging women’s active participation in Church life and promoting dignity and equality in communities. Participants attended sessions designed to help them support women’s leadership at parish and diocesan levels.
A major part of the programme discussed the Church’s Pastoral Plan 2033, which aims to increase the participation of women in the mission of the Church in India. Church leaders said the initiative has already gained momentum, with many dioceses across the country taking part in leadership formation programmes.
Participants also discussed important social issues such as gender equality, discrimination, stereotypes, and gender-based violence. Special sessions introduced them to India’s legal protections, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act (POSH). These sessions aimed to help participants promote safer and more respectful environments in Church institutions.
The programme also included daily Eucharistic celebrations and spiritual reflections that encouraged participants to reflect on justice, dignity, and the protection of vulnerable people.
Participants described the training as an important learning experience that helped them better understand their role in strengthening the Church. At the end of the programme, leaders encouraged participants to prepare action plans and share the training in their dioceses, helping build stronger women’s leadership across the Church in India.
