Ecumenical Bishops' Meet held in Delhi

New Delhi, Sept. 12, 2025 — The Third National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship Meeting convened on Thursday at the CBCI Centre in New Delhi, bringing together around 25 archbishops, bishops, church leaders, and delegates from various Christian denominations across India. Organised by the CBCI Office for Dialogue and the Desk for Ecumenism of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the gathering focused on reviewing the draft guidelines of the National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI) and strengthening fellowship to advance the ecumenical movement in the country.

The meeting opened with an Ecumenical Prayer Service for Christian Unity adapted from the 2025 resources jointly prepared by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. Bishop Gerald Mathias of Lucknow led the prayer service, centred on “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26), the theme of the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.

Following self-introductions by all the attendees, Fr. Dr. Anthoniraj Thumma, Coordinator of the National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship, presented the minutes of the previous meeting held in September 2024. The keynote address was delivered by Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, Chairman of the CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, who introduced the background and draft guidelines of the NFCI. Delegates then engaged in an open dialogue, widely appreciating the guidelines as comprehensive while suggesting refinements for greater effectiveness.

In his concluding remarks, CBCI President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath underscored the urgency of Christian unity in India amid rising attacks on the community by communal forces. He stressed the need for a united Christian voice in the nation. 

The meeting concluded with a prayer and benediction by Fr. Daniel Thomas, Vicar General of the Delhi Diocese of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

After the meeting, delegates attended a programme of Prabhu Jesu Mahotsav, the National Ecumenical Jubilee 2025 Celebrations, and the commemoration of the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea and the Nicaean Creed. All these ecumenical events highlighted the shared faith of various churches in India and offered a witness of Christian communion in the spirit of joy and hope for Jubilee 2025.

By Fr. Dr. Anthoniraj Thumma,

Coordinator of National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship &

Secretary of the CBCI Office for Dialogue & Desk for Ecumenism. 

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