Cardinal Filipe Neri Urges Bishops to Be "Workers of Faith"

Yercaud, 14 July 2026: Cardinal Filipe Neri called on bishops to remain steadfast as "workers of faith," reminding them that their primary mission is to lead people to a living encounter with Jesus Christ. 

Delivering the keynote address at the CCBI Bishops' Joint Reflection Programme at Montfort Spirituality Centre, Yercaud, the Cardinal said bishops are entrusted with proclaiming, safeguarding, nurturing and handing on the faith to future generations. Their first responsibility, he noted, is not merely the administration of dioceses or the management of institutions, but the pastoral mission of strengthening the faith of God's people.

Cardinal Neri encouraged the bishops not to measure their ministry solely by visible results. Recalling that even Jesus experienced rejection and indifference despite His preaching and miracles, he said that fidelity to the Gospel is more important than immediate success. "The true measure of a bishop's ministry is faithful witness to Christ," he said, adding that the fruits of ministry often become visible only in God's time.

Concluding his address, Cardinal Neri urged the bishops to persevere with hope, courage and patience, continuing to proclaim the Gospel while gently awakening people from spiritual complacency. Authentic pastoral leadership, he said, is rooted in trust in God, whose grace alone brings about genuine conversion and lasting renewal.

The CCBI Bishops' Joint Reflection Programme, attended by 37 bishops from different parts of India, began on 14 July 2026 with the inaugural Eucharistic celebration at the Montfort School Chapel, in which students, teachers and staff of the institution actively participated. Organised by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), the five-day programme will conclude on 18 July 2026.

By Catholic Connect Reporter