CBCI General Body Reiterates Commitment to Constitutional Ideals

Bengaluru, Karnataka, February 4, 2026: The 37th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) opened in Bengaluru with a strong call for the Church in India to renew its public witness to faith, conscience and the values enshrined in the Constitution.

Inaugurating the assembly, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli urged the bishops to embody Christ’s love through humble service, particularly towards the poor and the marginalised. He stressed that the Church’s credibility in society flows from its closeness to those on the peripheries and from a consistent commitment to justice, peace and human dignity.

Speaking during the inaugural session, Archbishop Girelli noted that the ideals articulated in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution resonate deeply with the Church’s own social teaching. Despite contemporary social and cultural challenges, he said, the Church continues to contribute to the moral conscience of the nation through education, healthcare and humane development. Conveying the Apostolic Blessings of Pope Leo XIV, he reaffirmed the Holy See’s encouragement to the Church in India to remain steadfast in its mission of service and dialogue.

In his Presidential Address, CBCI President Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath described the present moment as one in which conscience is increasingly tested and faith scrutinised in the public sphere. He called on the bishops to become “missionaries of hope and responsibility,” capable of offering moral clarity amid uncertainty. Addressing the rapid advance of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, he cautioned against dehumanising trends and emphasised the need to keep the human person at the centre of all development. He also highlighted the importance of deepening the synodal journey of the Church and strengthening the participation of the laity, youth and women in ecclesial life.

Earlier, welcoming the participants, CBCI Deputy Secretary General Dr. Mathew Koyickal underlined the significance of the meeting’s theme, “Faith and the Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision,” noting that it reflects the Church’s enduring commitment to unity, harmony and the common good.

The inaugural session also included the reading of a message from Pope Leo XIV, the presentation of the CBCI Biennial Report for 2024–2026 by Archbishop Anil J. T. Couto, and the felicitation of newly appointed bishops. As the assembly began its deliberations, the bishops paused in silent remembrance of deceased members, reaffirming their shared responsibility to guide the Church in India with faithfulness, courage and hope.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

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