The Hindu : Kerala News : CCBI meet stresses need for renewed pastoral approach

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 10, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

CCBI meet stresses need for renewed pastoral approach

Staff Reporter

Plenary assembly commits itself to do more to empower the laity

KOCHI: The 19th plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CCBI) ended on Tuesday with the assembly committing itself to doing more to empower the laity.

The bishops felt that even though much had been done, more have to be done by way of drawing up plans for their regions on the need for a renewed pastoral approach.

Participatory structures

The CCBI, apex body of the Latin Rite Catholic Church in India, committed itself to establishing in every diocese, within two years, participatory structures envisaged in Canon Law such as Pastoral Councils and Finance Committees — at the diocesan and parish levels, wherever these did not exist.

The bishops also called for urgent creation of a system of accountability in every diocese. The plenary assembly was held at the St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva, near here from January 4 with the theme `The Vocation and the Role of the Laity in the Life and Mission of the Church.'

The bishops also resolved to organise a comprehensive catechesis for the laity around the three hinges of Christian life — Word, Sacraments and Community.

Monitoring mechanism

The bishops decided that in every region or diocese, there would be an evaluative and monitoring mechanism, suited to the region or diocese.

These would be devised as an expression of their earnestness and seriousness in ensuring implementation of the decisions taken at the plenary assembly, said Archbishop Oswald Gracias, president of CCBI.

Resource allocation

It was also decided that sufficient resources would be allocated specifically for lay formation so as to equip the laity to be competent and responsible collaborators in the mission of the church.

The bishops also resolved to invite theologians, in constant dialogue with committed lay faithful, to formulate a meaningful lay spirituality geared to action.

Since transforming the temporal order is the specific domain of the lay faithful, they must be empowered, through a critical socio-political awareness, to transform the existing unjust situation.

The session also resolved to work for a change in the attitude and practices of the clergy and religious, wherever needed.

Right from their formation period, future priests and religious should be oriented towards regarding lay people as responsible collaborators in the life of the church.

Impact of globalisation

The assembly had also taken note of the impact of globalisation affecting the cultural and moral values of people and the adverse impact of the process on the lives of the poor.

The assembly also pointed to the contribution of women to the enrichment of the church and the discrimination suffered by them.

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