Since its launch in all dioceses worldwide in October 2021, the synod 2021-2023 entitled ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission’ has evoked mixed responses ranging from excitement and optimism to indifference and cynicism.
The Synod inaugurations in the Indian dioceses of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI, Latin rite) were followed by consultations of cross-sections of people: lay faithful, youth, children, diocesan clergy, religious men and women, the elderly and infirm, seminarians, the poor and peripheral, lapsed Catholics and so on.
“The synod is an ecclesial event and its protagonist is the Holy Spirit. If the Spirit is not present, there will be no synod,” said Pope Francis during his ‘moment of reflection’ while launching the synodal consultations on October 9, 2021. Viewing how processes have unfolded in diverse dioceses, there is no doubt that the omnipresent Spirit “blows where it wills” (Jn 3:8).
Justice Bhuyan Calls for Protection of Dissent and Personal Liberty
Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has expressed concern over the growing trend of treating peaceful dissent and ordinary actions as criminal offences. Speaking at a
