QUESTION: What message did Antonio Luis Cardinal Tagle, the Pro-Prefect and Dicastery for Evangelization from the Vatican, give in the 34th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) of the Latin Church in Bangalore?

ANSWER: The central theme of the conference was “Telling the Story of Jesus in our Context: The Synodal Way.” This theme was taken up a few years back in Thailand at the Asian Bishop’s conference. It is much better a term than mission or evangelization, which can create anxiety or threat in the context of our country. It is a non-aggressive as well as non-institutional approach. Stories are always more appealing. They will appeal to our hearts at any age and remain there. At an appropriate time, they will slowly sprout and grow. They are a part of our life. Cardinal Tagle is a great storyteller. He spoke about celebrating mass in a Philippine village and people bringing different kinds of gifts. He visited a Khadriya Masjid and its trust board members in Bangalore. It was a forward step taken by the followers of Jesus. Pope Francis himself has shown us the way of harmonious coexistence. That is the attitude he maintains towards all religions. There may be fanatics or terrorists among them, but that should not deter us from having a good relationship with them. They have their stories and we have ours. The stories must be ex-changed for understanding each other.

Bp Alex Joseph Vadakumthala
Kannur