Agra Region Seminar Calls for Stronger Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement

Madar-Ajmer, September 24, 2026: Around 30 bishops, priests, religious and lay leaders from the Agra Ecclesiastical Region gathered at the Naveenta Diocesan Pastoral and Communication Centre, Madar-Ajmer, on September 24 for a seminar on ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.

Representatives from the Archdioceses and Dioceses of Agra, Ajmer, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jaipur, Jhansi, Lucknow, Meerut and Allahabad participated in the programme, jointly organised by the Agra Ecclesiastical Regional Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue and the CCBI Commission for Ecumenism.

Fr. Elias Niranjan, Director of Ecumenism and Regional Secretary for Ecumenism and Dialogue, welcomed the participants and invited them to engage actively in the discussions.

Bishop John Carvalho of Ajmer and Chairman of the Agra Regional Commission for Ecumenism delivered the keynote address, stressing the importance of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue in the Indian context, particularly in the Agra region. He urged participants to promote Christian unity and build constructive relationships with people of other faiths.

“Dialogue is not an option but a way of life,” Bishop Carvalho said.

Fr. Norbert Herman SVD, National Council Member of the CCBI Commission for Ecumenism, reflected on the relevance of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue in contemporary India. Drawing on Church teaching and pastoral experience, he encouraged participants to take concrete initiatives to strengthen Christian unity and foster dialogue.

Fr. K. Anthaiah, Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Ecumenism, presented the CCBI Pastoral Plan for Ecumenism and called for its implementation at regional and diocesan levels, with appropriate adaptation to local contexts.

A group discussion and open session provided participants an opportunity to share pastoral experiences, seek clarifications and identify practical ways of implementing the pastoral plan.

The seminar concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Bishop Carvalho. He urged the participants to continue Christ’s mission of unity and dialogue and to make ecumenical and interreligious engagement an integral part of pastoral ministry.

The gathering ended with a renewed commitment to promoting Christian unity, strengthening relations among Christian communities, fostering dialogue with other religions and implementing the CCBI Pastoral Plan throughout the Agra Region.

By Catholic Connect Reporter