- 24 August, 2025
Goa, August 24, 2025 – The Western Region CCBI Bible Commission organised a two-day Bible Seminar on the theme “How to Read the Bible” at St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa, on 23–24 August 2025.
The seminar opened with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and Chairman of the Western Region CCBI Bible Commission. In his homily, Bishop Simião used the acronym SOW to inspire the faithful – to Seek the Word of God, Overcome obstacles, and Witness the fruits of the Word. He emphasised the transforming power of Scripture, remarking, “When we allow ourselves to be transformed by the Word of God, true witness becomes possible.”
In his keynote address, Bishop Simião underlined the importance of Scripture in Christian life and offered practical guidelines on how to read the Bible.
The following day, Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, President of the CCBI and Archbishop of Goa and Daman, presided over a second solemn Eucharistic celebration. Preaching on the theme “Guided by God’s Word, Let Us Walk Through the Narrow Gate to Everlasting Life,” Cardinal Ferrão urged participants to deepen their love for the Word of God and to experience God’s love in order to be authentic witnesses of Christ.
“Jesus was always on the way. He was a Synodal person. Jesus is the way. If we want to follow the Narrow Gate, we have to follow Jesus,” he said, presenting Christ’s life as the model for those who wish to walk the narrow path that leads to eternal life.
The Cardinal highlighted two essential dimensions of Jesus’ life. First, His deep rootedness in His Abba Father, revealed through total submission to the Father’s will. “We need to make Jesus the centre of our lives, and like Him, surrender our lives to the will of the Father and live in intimacy with Jesus,” he urged.
Second, he stressed Jesus’ life as a total self-gift of love: “His love is all-embracing, self-sacrificing, and merciful/compassionate.” The Cardinal affirmed that the riches of the Word of God, enshrined in the Bible, invite everyone to experience God’s love and to choose the narrow way of Jesus.
Concluding the Eucharistic celebration, Cardinal Ferrão called the Word of God the most powerful means to become “pilgrims of hope” in today’s world. “If we want to live as a Synodal Church, if we want to live as disciples of Jesus, the Word of God is a powerful means,” he said. “The Word of God enshrined in the Bible will help us become not only disciples of Jesus but also pilgrims of hope. Be rooted in the Word of God and live as Synodal disciples of Jesus, as pilgrims of hope.” He also congratulated the Western Region CCBI Bible Commission for successfully organising the seminar.
The programme featured a series of enriching sessions on different approaches to reading the Bible:
Participants also took part in a joint reflection on the CCBI Bible Commission Pastoral Plan 2023, facilitated by Bishop Simião Fernandes. The gathering provided opportunities for participants to share personal experiences of encountering the Word of God. In the concluding sessions, Fr. Macson Fernandes offered practical orientations, while Bishop Simião delivered the closing message, underlining the transformative power of Scripture in the life of the Church.
Welcoming the participants Fr. Macson Fernandecs, Secretary of the Western Region CCBI Bible Commission explained the purpose of this Seminar on Bible. The two-day programme was anchored by Ivy Ferrão and Shuban Pereira. Expressing gratitude to speakers, organisers, and participants, Fr. Mariano D’Costa noted that 70 delegates from across the Western Region had attended.
The seminar offered participants a meaningful opportunity to deepen their love for the Word of God and to rediscover its enduring relevance in daily Christian living.
By Bro. Malvino Alfonso
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