Chairman
Bp Gali Bali
Bishop of Guntur, Bishop's House, Chandramoulinagar
Guntur - 522 007. Aandhra Pradesh.  

Tel (O): (0863) 23 50 720, 23 50 255 (P) 
Fax (O): 23 51 234, Grms: Bishop
E-mail: galibali@hotmail.com

Members
Bp Anil Couto
Bishop of Jalandhar, Bishop's House, Civil Lines P.O.
Jalandhar City - 144 001. Punjab.

Tel: (0181) 22 23 987 (O), 22 22 634 (P)
Fax: (0181) 22 43 987
E-mail: anilcouto@hotmail.com
           diojal@vsnl.com
  
Abp Dominic Jala
Archbishop of Shillong, Archbishop's House, Shillong - 793 003, Meghalaya.

Tel: (0364) 22 23 355 (O), 25 01 756 (P)
Fax: (0364) 22 11 306
E-mail: archbpdj@gmail.com 
Website: www.shillongarchdiocese.org

Executive Secretary
Fr M. D. Thomas
CBCI Commission for Dialogue and Ecumenism, CBCI Centre,
1, Ashok Place, New Delhi - 110 001.

Tel: (011) 23 34 44 70, 23 34 1506 (P) 
Fax (O): 23 34 15 06,
Mobile : 09 81 05 35 378
E-mail : dialoguecbci@sify.com 
dialoguecbci@hotmail.com (O)  
mdthomas53@yahoo.co.in (P)

VISION

“Let us meet, not in buildings of stones and bricks but as pilgrims set out to find God” was the call given by Pope Paul VI, as, he met the believers of different religious traditions in Bombay. The Commission for Dialogue and Ecumenism, is an instrument of the Church in India established after the Church in India Seminar in 1969 as a follow up committed to this pilgrimage. The Commission had the first full time secretary in 1973 January. The Commission was, as a trial, amalgamated with other Commissions as Proclamation, Ecumenism, Mass Media. The Commission now is called Ecumenism and Dialogue Commission covering inter-faith dialogue, ecumenism – between the different Christian denominations. Dialogue with the so-called non-believers too is the task of this Commission. “Let us meet, not in buildings of stones and bricks but as pilgrims set out to find God” was the call given by Pope Paul VI, as, he met the believers of different religious traditions in Bombay. The Commission for Dialogue and Ecumenism, is an instrument of the Church in India established after the Church in India Seminar in 1969 as a follow up committed to this pilgrimage. The Commission had the first full time secretary in 1973 January. The Commission was, as a trial, amalgamated with other Commissions as Proclamation, Ecumenism, Mass Media. The Commission now is called Ecumenism and Dialogue Commission covering inter-faith dialogue, ecumenism – between the different Christian denominations. Dialogue with the so-called non-believers too is the task of this Commission.

Introduction

India is a land known for its pluralism and diversity. It is a land of many religions, diverse cultures, numerous languages, carious caste systems and multiple lifestyles. In this context, the twofold mission of the church, namely, Witness and Service, in relation to Ecumenism and Dialogue receives special significance and greater importance.

Christian witness presupposes a deeper unity and strong sense of communion among Christians. "By baptism we are one in Christ Jesus "says St.Paul (Gal. 3:28). Hence the existing divisions among Christians is an open contradiction to the mission stumbling block to the world and an anti-witness to the will of Christ who prayed to the Father, "That they may all be one" (Jn. 17:21).

Secondly, in a multi-religious society like India, it is the spirit of Witness and Service that should motivate Christians initiatives for interrelations dialogue. This will certainly pave the way for religious harmony and mutual collaboration among all believers to establish a harmonious society where every citizen of India can enjoy true freedom, real fellowship and full justice irrespective of caste and creed. It is in response to this call CBCI Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue has launched into number of activities for the past thirty years. The following details will briefly explain the approaches and the achievements of the Commission.

People's Movement 

Usually all the programmes of the Commission are conducted at Regional/State levels. But at times, in case of necessity, some of the programmes are also organized at Diocesan/District levels. Through input sessions, case studies, workshops and general discussions, the participants are trained for deeper involvement in their respective areas for the promotion of Christian Unity ;and Interreligious Harmony.

Further, they are initiated and encouraged to form small units of "Friendship Houses" that are inter-denominational and multi-religious in nature. In this way, every region is introduced into the mission of Ecumenism and Dialogue. As a result, at present the Commission has a very good national network with thousands of contact persons. Slowly the mission is becoming a "A Peopl's Movement".

Thrust Visualized 

"RELIGIONS FOR BETTER INIDA" is the common thrust visualized by the Commission to work with. This common thrust is worked out ;under two headlines. "Unity, Witness and Service" is the theme chosen for ecumenical programmes. "Religious, Harmony and Cooperative Action" is the theme adopted for interreligious programmes. Most of the Ecumenical programmes are organized in collaboration with the National Council of Churches in India. For the programmes are organized in collaboration with the National Council of Churches in India. For the programmes on Dialogue the Commission gets the support from inter-faith centres, voluntary organizations for peace and communal harmony, university faculties related to interreligious relationship etc.

News Letter

C.B.C.I. Commission for Ecumenism and dialogue is publishing a quarterly Newsletter under the title "Fellowship". Ecumenical and inter-religious programmes organized by national, regional and diocesan commissions articles on Ecumenical fellowship, interreligious relationship, The newsletter has a National outlook for the promotion of Christian Unity and Inter religious harmony at various levels. At present 2000 copies are circulated throughout India.