Church leaders in India proposed the formation of a national federation of Churches to strengthen unity and collaboration among Christian denominations across the country.
The proposal was discussed during the Second National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship and Consultation Meeting, held on May 9, 2025, at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences (SJNAHS) in Bengaluru.
The gathering, convened by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), brought together about 35 Archbishops, Bishops, Church Heads, and delegates from various Christian denominations.
According to Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, Coordinator of the National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship and Secretary of the CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, the event aimed “to foster the unity and communion among the Churches and thus strengthen the ecumenical movement in India.”
The theme for 2025, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26), commemorates the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
Participants prayed for peace between India and Pakistan, as well as for the Catholic Church. A tribute was offered to the late Pope Francis, described as “an ecumenical bridge builder,” in a prayer led by Bishop Akhlesh Edgar, General Secretary of the Council of Evangelical Churches in India.
A prayer for Pope Leo XIV was led by Rev. Lunmang Haokip, Executive Member of the Council of Kuki Worship Services.
In his welcome and inaugural address, CBCI President Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath stressed the importance of unity, especially “at the wake of increasing attacks on the Christians by the communal forces.”
Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, Chairman of the CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, presented the CBCI’s proposal to create a national federation of Churches comprising Bishops and Church Heads.
Delegates welcomed the idea in principle but said clear guidelines were necessary. Some also sought clarification on the proposed federation’s relationship with existing ecumenical bodies such as the National United Christian Forum (NUCF).
In his concluding remarks, Archbishop Thazhath summarized the consensus, saying, “There should be one national apex body and others could function as subsidiaries under its umbrella.”
The meeting also agreed to mark the Jubilee Year and the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicaean Council on September 11–12, 2025, alongside the next National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship meeting.
