The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has officially released the synthesis report of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place in Rome last month.
The report, titled “A Synodal Church in Mission,” encapsulates the essence of the first session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly held from October 4 to 29.
Archbishop Oswald Cardinal Gracias of Bombay unveiled the 85-page report during a ceremony at Dharmaram Vidhya Kshetra in Bangalore, Southern Karnataka, on November 21. The inaugural copy was presented to Archbishop Anthony Cardinal Poola of Hyderabad.
Structured into three comprehensive parts, the report provides profound insights into the practice and understanding of synodality, along with its theological foundations.
The second section delves into the intricate web of relationships within the Church, exploring the roles and connections among all its members in both life and mission.
The third part paints a vivid picture of synodality as a dynamic set of processes and a network of bodies fostering exchange between Churches and engaging in a meaningful dialogue with the world, as highlighted in a CCBI press note.
The event witnessed the presence of Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, Bishop Allwyn D’Silva (Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Bombay), Father Joy Philip Kakkanattu (President, Dharmaram Vidhya Kshetram), Father Stephen Alathara (Deputy Secretary-General of CCBI), and other dignitaries.
The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, commonly referred to as the Synod on Synodality, is an ongoing significant gathering in the Catholic Church.
It is set to conclude in October 2024 and revolves around the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”
Regarded as the most important event in the Church since the Second Vatican Council, it aims to address key aspects of the Church’s life and mission.
