CCBI Calls Dioceses to Strengthen Synodal Implementation

New Delhi 18 February 2026: The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has issued a circular to all its member bishops, calling for active and committed participation in the Implementation Phase of the Synod on Synodality from June 2025 to December 2026.

In his message, CCBI President Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão invited the bishops and their collaborators to make this period a time of spiritual renewal, shared responsibility, and deeper communion in Church life. He described the present phase as a grace-filled opportunity to strengthen participation, dialogue, and missionary commitment in all dioceses.

The circular is in line with the roadmap prepared by the General Secretariat of the Synod in Rome. It outlines the journey leading to the Ecclesial Assembly in October 2028 at Vatican City. According to this plan, the years 2025 and 2026 are dedicated to implementation in local Churches, followed by evaluations at diocesan, regional, continental, and national levels in 2027 and 2028.

The Implementation Phase aims to help dioceses practise synodality in everyday pastoral life. It encourages formation, attentive listening, shared leadership, spiritual discernment, transparent governance, and renewed missionary outreach. The goal is to make Church structures and activities more participatory and responsive to the needs of the faithful.

The circular recalls that the Diocesan Bishop has the primary responsibility for guiding and accompanying this process. It also stresses the role of diocesan participatory bodies and Synodal Teams in animating and sustaining synodal life at all levels.

The CCBI has already constituted a National Synodal Team, coordinated by Fr. Christopher Vimalraj. Monthly online meetings will be organised to support and accompany the diocesan teams in their work.

Cardinal Ferrão has urged all dioceses to integrate the synodal process into their regular pastoral planning and to make full use of the resources provided by the Synod Secretariat and the CCBI. He called upon bishops, clergy, religious, and laity to work together in building a listening, discerning, and mission-oriented Church.

Concluding his message, he expressed the hope that, guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church in India will continue to grow as a truly synodal, participatory, and missionary community.

By Dr. Stephen Alathara