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.
