Home Catholic Church & Asia Indian bishop calls for ‘inculturated’ church leadership at plenary assembly

Indian bishop calls for ‘inculturated’ church leadership at plenary assembly

Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore, the outgoing Vice President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), urged the Bishops of India to build a Church deeply rooted in local cultures through a model of Synodal Shepherd Leadership. 

The prelate made the call during his homily at the Holy Mass on the fourth day of the 36th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI at XIM University, Bhubaneswar.

Addressing the 204 Bishops, Archbishop Antonysamy emphasized the need for a leadership style that resonates with India’s cultural and spiritual landscape. 



Quoting theologian Raimundo Panikkar, he said, “Beyond the waters of the Jordan and the Tiber, we must venture into the waters of the Ganges.” 

He explained that to truly inculturate the Church’s mission, leaders must adopt a new model of guidance that aligns with the diverse traditions and lived realities of the faithful.

He outlined the essence of Synodal Shepherd Leadership, describing it as a dynamic and discerning approach that shifts between three key roles: leading from the front to provide direction, walking alongside the people to accompany them, and following from behind to support and empower. 

He stressed that the success of the Church’s mission depends on knowing when to take each position, fostering a participatory and missionary spirit.

- Newsletter -

The day’s proceedings also included the presentation of reports from various Commissions, Departments, and Apostolates focusing on youth, women, evangelization, health, canon law, family, ecumenism, laity, education, ecology, and social service, among others. 

These reports highlighted the ongoing initiatives and challenges while discussing the way forward in strengthening the Church’s engagement in these critical areas.

Meanwhile, the Plenary Assembly also held elections for the new leadership of the CCBI. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão has been re-elected as President of the CCBI, while Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore has been elected as Vice President and Archbishop Vincent Aind of Ranchi as Secretary General.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão (72) was first elected as President at the 31st Plenary Assembly held in Chennai in 2019. He was re-elected for a second term in 2023 at the 34th Plenary Assembly in Bangalore. 

In addition to his leadership in India, he also serves as President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), a role he took on in January 2025. 

He is also a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops.

Born on January 20, 1953, in Aldona, Goa, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Vanariona and Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Damão on January 25, 1994. 

A decade later, on January 16, 2004, Pope St. John Paul II named him Archbishop of Goa and Damão, granting him the honorary title of Patriarch of the East Indies. 

Installed as Archbishop on March 21, 2004, he was later created a Cardinal by Pope Francis on August 27, 2022, with the Title of Santa Maria in Via. 

Cardinal Ferrão is also a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Synod Secretariat.

Archbishop Peter Machado (70) was born on May 26, 1954, and ordained a priest on December 8, 1978, for the Diocese of Karwar. 

He holds a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He was appointed Bishop of Belgaum on February 2, 2006, and ordained on March 30, 2006. 

He was later appointed Archbishop of Bangalore on March 19, 2018, and installed on May 31, 2018. 

He currently serves as President of the Karnataka Regional Bishops’ Council and Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Laity.

Archbishop Vincent Aind (70) was born on January 30, 1955, in Kalchini, West Bengal, in the Diocese of Jalpaiguri. 

Ordained a priest on April 30, 1984, he holds a master’s degree in English Literature, a bachelor’s degree in economics, a Licentiate in Philosophy from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. 

He was appointed Bishop of Bagdogra on April 7, 2015, and ordained on June 14, 2015. Archbishop Aind is also Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine. On December 30, 2023, he was appointed Archbishop of Ranchi.

© Copyright LiCAS.news. All rights reserved. Republication of this article without express permission from LiCAS.news is strictly prohibited. For republication rights, please contact us at: [email protected]

Support Our Mission

We work tirelessly each day to tell the stories of those living on the fringe of society in Asia and how the Church in all its forms - be it lay, religious or priests - carries out its mission to support those in need, the neglected and the voiceless.
We need your help to continue our work each day. Make a difference and donate today.

Latest