The national convention and general body of the All India Association of Catholic Schools (AINACS) opened with a call from Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão urging Catholic educators to be “rooted in Christ and be messengers of hope.”
Addressing more than 1,050 delegates gathered at the Park Regis Convention Centre in Arpora, Goa, the archbishop of Goa and Daman drew inspiration from the Gospel and Pope Francis to invite educators to embody compassion, wisdom, and synodal leadership in their ministry.
Reflecting on the healing encounter between Jesus and the leper, Cardinal Ferrão illustrated the transformative power of loving care. He reminded the assembly that Jesus approached the leper, touched him, healed him, and became a witness of hope. In the same spirit, Catholic educational institutions are called to radiate hope through attitudes of mercy and understanding, the cardinal added.
In his keynote address, Cardinal Ferrão expanded this vision through the lens of synodality, describing Catholic educational leadership as a journey of communion, participation, and mission. He called on leaders to cultivate open hearts, to encourage dialogue, and to respect diverse perspectives. Leadership, he said, must move beyond rigid bureaucracies and embrace relationships built on trust and shared responsibility.
He emphasised that discernment is central to synodal leadership. Drawing from the Gospel, he described it as a patient, prayerful approach, attentive to God’s will rather than personal ambition. True discernment, he noted, allows educators to respond effectively to the evolving needs of their communities, making decisions that nurture growth, understanding, and holistic development.
The cardinal also framed leadership as stewardship, reminding educators that students are gifts entrusted to them, deserving care, guidance, and love. Quoting the Gospel of Luke, he described stewardship as a vocation of service, compassion, and patience, one that prioritises the integral development of each student.
