Tricy, October 10, 2024: The Commission for Canon Law and Other Legislative Texts of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CCBI) conducted formative programme for the alumni of St. Paul’s Seminary, Trichy during their Annual Community Day event on October 8. The sessions focused on recent amendments to the Code of Canon Law.
Rev. Dr. Merlin Rengith Ambrose, the commission’s executive secretary, was the resource person for the formative sessions, hosted by Rev. Dr. Andrews de Rose, the Rector and other seminary officials and professors. In the first session, the resource person highlighted the seriousness of abuse cases related to finance and morals, referring to the relevant documents such as Vos Estis Lux Mundi, Vademecum on Certain Points of Procedure in Treating Cases of Sexual Abuse of Minors Committed by Clerics, Normae de Delictis Congregationi pro Doctrina Fidei Reservatis, Instrumentum laboris for the Synod 2024, and Pope Francis’ synodal thinking.
The second session delved into Pope Francis’ vision, emphasising synodal documents and modified canons relevant to the pastoral life of parish priests, sisters, and other ministerial personnel in the Catholic Church. The resource person provided a comprehensive overview of Pope Francis’ perspective on Penal Sanctions in the Church, as outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Pascite gregem Dei, which emphasises the principle of Mercy Requiring Correction. The pastoral plan of the Commission for Canon Law in the CCBI was also shared with the participants, who appreciated it.
The well-organized full-day event attracted approximately 40 participants. The positive response of the attendees, who expressed a desire for more such sessions, underscored the value of this initiative.
By Rev. Dr. Merlin Ambrose
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