CCBI Trains Second Batch of Parish Priests in Pastoral Management

Benaulim, Goa, August 26, 2026: Twenty parish priests from dioceses and religious congregations across India are attending the second batch of a Pastoral Management Course organised by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) at Shanti Sadan, Benaulim, from August 25 to 29.

The five-day programme focuses on strengthening pastoral leadership and administrative skills to help priests respond more effectively to the changing needs of parish communities.

Sessions cover pastoral planning, collaborative leadership, financial stewardship, communication, parish administration, human resource management, record keeping and public relations. The course combines practical inputs with best practices in parish governance.

Among the resource persons are Bishop Emeritus Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi, Romeo Monteiro, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Vijay Machado, Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Faith Formation, Chartered Accountant Sunil Gonsalves and Rohit from Mangalore.

The programme also gives importance to the spiritual dimension of pastoral leadership. Participants take part in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Morning and Evening Prayer and the Rosary each day, underlining the connection between effective pastoral administration and a strong spiritual life.

A significant component of the course is exposure to Goa’s Christian heritage. Participants are visiting several historic churches and religious sites, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Sé Cathedral, the Church of the Cross of Miracles, the St Joseph Vaz Centre in Old Goa, the Tomb of Agnel at Pilar, St Joseph Vaz Church in Sancoale and St John Baptist Church in Benaulim.

The visits are intended to provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on the missionary heritage of the Church in India and its continuing relevance to contemporary pastoral ministry.

By Fr. Duming Gonsalves

Administrator, Shanti Sadan, Goa