- 06 October, 2026
Mumbai, October 6, 2026: The Snehalaya Family Commission of the Archdiocese of Bombay will host a National Symposium on October 15 and 16, bringing together bishops, clergy, religious, theologians, counsellors, family-ministry leaders, professionals and lay representatives to reflect on the future of family life in an increasingly digital world.
Organised in collaboration with the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Commissions for Family, Theology and Doctrine and Laity, together with Communio, the symposium will be held at St. Pius X College, Goregaon East, Mumbai.
The gathering forms part of Snehalaya’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, marking 50 years of its journey of “Love, Care & Hope” from 1976 to 2026.
The central theme of the two-day symposium is “The Family: Humanity’s Greatest Hope in a World of AI”.
The organisers aim to examine the rapidly changing world of Artificial Intelligence and its implications for human dignity, relationships, marriage, family life and the mission of the Church.
At the heart of the invitation is a question particularly relevant to families navigating an increasingly technology-driven society: as technology becomes increasingly intelligent, how do we ensure that our families become increasingly human?
The symposium seeks to create space for reflection and dialogue on how technological progress can be approached without losing sight of the dignity and uniqueness of the human person.
The National Symposium will also mark 10 years of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on love in the family.
The organisers have drawn inspiration from its reminder that, “The welfare of the family is decisive for the future of the world and that of the Church.”
The symposium will place this vision in conversation with the changing realities created by new technologies and Artificial Intelligence, while also drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, as highlighted in the event invitation.
The organisers have framed the symposium around four calls: Celebrate Family, Embrace Dignity, Renew Hope and Build Together.
These pillars reflect the gathering’s wider aim of encouraging the Church to accompany families as they face new opportunities and challenges.
Rather than treating Artificial Intelligence simply as a technological question, the symposium invites participants to consider its effects on relationships, marriage, parenting, personal dignity and the Church’s pastoral mission.
The participation of theologians, counsellors, professionals, family-ministry leaders and lay representatives is intended to bring different perspectives into the conversation.
The symposium is open to bishops, clergy, religious and lay representatives involved in family and theological commissions at deanery and diocesan levels.
The organisers have also encouraged priests, parish coordinators, family apostolate teams, counsellors, educators and others involved in family ministry to participate.
With Snehalaya celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the event provides an opportunity to look both backwards with gratitude and forwards with hope.
The National Symposium 2026 ultimately seeks to place the family at the centre of a conversation about humanity’s future — asking how the Church can help families remain places where human dignity, love, faith and genuine relationships continue to flourish even as technology transforms everyday life.
The organisers have called on participants to “be part of this journey of hope” as they celebrate family, embrace dignity, renew hope and build together.
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By Catholic Connect Reporter
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