Bible Commission Secretaries Chart Common Pastoral Roadmap in Indore

INDORE, July 28, 2026: Bible Commission Secretaries from seven dioceses of the Madhya Pradesh Region met in Indore on July 26–27 to review Scripture-based initiatives and strengthen the biblical apostolate across the region.

Held at the Bishop’s House, the meeting brought together representatives from Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Jhabua, Khandwa and Sagar, along with representatives of Divya Vani Sangh and Koinonia–Jhabua.

The gathering began with the Holy Eucharist presided over by Bishop Thomas Mathew of Indore, Chairman of the Regional Bible Commission. Reflecting on the mission of biblical ministry, he said the proclamation of God’s Word must flow from prayer and communion with Christ.

In his presidential address, Bishop Thomas Mathew urged diocesan Bible Commission Secretaries to intensify biblical animation in parishes and Church institutions. He called for greater emphasis on Scripture in Christian life, family prayer, catechesis and evangelisation, while acknowledging efforts to promote Bible-based pastoral ministry across the region.

Fr Patrick Mathias SDB, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Bible, CCBI, outlined the priorities of the national Bible Commission and called for creative and participatory approaches to biblical ministry. He highlighted Bible conventions, formation programmes, parish Bible cells and other initiatives aimed at strengthening biblical literacy and helping people encounter Christ through Sacred Scripture.

Diocesan Bible Commission Secretaries presented reports on initiatives undertaken in their respective dioceses, highlighting achievements, challenges and future priorities. The presentations facilitated the sharing of experiences and pastoral practices among the participating dioceses.

Discussions focused on strengthening the Bible apostolate at the parish level, encouraging family Bible reading, organising Bible festivals, developing digital biblical resources, training Bible animators and involving more young people in Scripture-based programmes.

At the conclusion, Bishop Thomas Mathew and Fr Patrick Mathias thanked the participants for their active involvement and urged them to return to their dioceses with renewed commitment to making Sacred Scripture central to pastoral ministry.

The gathering concluded with participants reflecting on Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the Madhya Pradesh Region to strengthening the biblical apostolate and placing Sacred Scripture at the heart of the Church’s pastoral mission.

By Catholic Connect Reporter