Agartala Pastoral Council Charts Course for a United and Mission-Oriented Church

Agartala, June 27, 2026: Strengthening unity within the Church, nurturing Christian families, and fostering a deeper engagement with Sacred Scripture were the key priorities highlighted during the 16th Agartala Diocesan Pastoral Council (ADPC), held on June 26 at St. Joseph’s Hall in Agartala.

The annual gathering brought together 95 representatives, including priests, religious, and lay leaders from across the diocese, reflecting a shared commitment to pastoral renewal and ecclesial growth. The meeting was presided over by Bishop Lumen Monteiro of Agartala and coordinated by Mr. Rajulal Debbarma, Secretary of the Agartala Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Serving as the diocese’s principal consultative pastoral body, the Council provided a forum for prayer, dialogue, evaluation, and planning. Participants engaged in presentations, discussions, and group sessions focused on three key themes: understanding the diversity of Catholic rites, strengthening Christian family life, and promoting greater love for the Word of God.

A significant area of discussion centred on the Catholic understanding of the Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara traditions. Participants emphasised the importance of fostering unity in faith while appreciating the distinct spiritual and liturgical heritage of the various rites within the Catholic Church.

The Council also addressed challenges and opportunities facing Christian families. Discussions underscored the need to promote family prayer, marriage enrichment programmes, catechetical formation, and parish initiatives that help families grow as authentic “Domestic Churches.” Participants further encouraged the practice of daily Scripture reading, catechism, and active participation in Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) to deepen faith formation at the personal and family levels.

During the evaluation session, participants expressed appreciation for the quality of the presentations, the multilingual format of the programme, and the meaningful opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. They also offered suggestions aimed at enhancing participation and effectiveness in future pastoral gatherings.

Addressing the Council, Bishop Lumen Monteiro reminded participants that the ADPC serves as the highest consultative pastoral body of the diocese. He called on the faithful to preserve harmony among the different Catholic rites, strengthen the Church’s evangelising mission, and remain committed to their pastoral responsibilities.

The Bishop also shared updates on diocesan life, expressing gratitude for the successful celebration of the diocesan Pearl Jubilee. He announced that the Diocese of Agartala has now grown to 30 parishes serving approximately 55,000 faithful. He further urged continued prayers for priestly and religious vocations as well as for the sick and suffering.

The Council concluded with a renewed commitment to building a vibrant, united, and missionary Church rooted in faith, family life, and ecclesial communion.

By Fr. Derrick Augustin,

Secretary to Bishop of Agartala