Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-10/2008                                             May 13, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

Greetings from the CBCI Centre, New Delhi!

This communication is sent to you after the Standing Committee Meeting that was held at the CBCI Centre, New Delhi, from April 23-25, 2008. On 23rd April the Standing Committee met as the Caritas Council, the General Body of Caritas India. The two sessions on 25th April afternoon were with the Executive of the CRI. The Caritas Council Meeting and the Meeting with the CRI Executive are not included in these highlights of matters that emerged during discussions of the Standing Committee.

1. This was the first meeting of the Standing Committee after the election of the new Office-Bearers of CBCI in Jamshedpur in February 2008. On 23rd April after the meeting of the Caritas Council, there was time for the Annual General Body Meeting of the CBCI Society for Medical Education (St. John’s) and the General Body Meeting of the National Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), both under the Presidentship of His Eminence Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil. These two General Body Meetings were necessitated to bring in Bishop Percival J. Fernandez as Chairman of St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences and Archbishop Maria Calist Soosa Pakiam as Chairman of the NBCLC.

2. On 24th and 25th April six main sessions of the Standing Committee were held, all chaired by His Eminence Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil.

3. The draft proposals recommending the Reorganization of CBCI were accepted and approved. Details will be worked out by the Secretary General in consultation with the Office-Bearers. The Secretary General together with the Dy. Secretary General will coordinate the functioning of the Secretaries of the present Commissions. Suggestions from the Regional Bishops’ Councils are awaited by the end of August this year, which should complete the relationship of the CBCI Secretariat with the Regions.

4. The evaluation of the General Body Meeting in Jamshedpur was generally positive. There was a suggestion that the evaluation questionnaire could be more technical and the Bishops generally preferred the Plenary Assembly to be held in places with better transport accessibility.

5. The following Appointments/Extension were made:

(i) In place of Bishop-Elect Henry D’Souza, Fr. George Plathottam, SDB, was appointed Executive Secretary of the Commission for Social Communications.

(ii) Fr. Alex Vadakumthala, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Health Care, completed his extended term of three years and he will be replaced by Fr. Mathew Abraham, C.Ss.R.

(iii) Fr. Alwyn D’Souza, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Youth was given an extension of another three years.

6. His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias expressed his inability to continue on the Board of Governors of Indo-Global Social Service Society. His place will be taken by Bishop Gratian Mundadan. Bishop Gerald Almeida has been nominated member of the General Body of IGSSS.

7. I may complete the list of appointments with a mention of the earlier appointments made during the Standing Committee Meeting held at Jamshedpur in February, 2008:

(i) Fr. Cleophas Dominic Fernandes from the Archdiocese of Bombay has been appointed Director of NBCLC.

(ii) Fr. Glen Mascarenhas from the Archdiocese of Nagpur has been appointed Associate Director for Finance, St. John’s.

8. His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal P. Toppo made a point that the Church should intervene to ensure a just and fair implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. This matter will be taken up by the Desk for Tribals in the new set-up of the CBCI Secretariat.

9. The Jesus Youth Movement (JYM) was recognized as a missionary movement at the service of the Church. The procedure for the recognition had been followed and the leaders of the JYM were eager to be recognized. Oswald Cardinal Gracias was asked to go through their Statutes or Constitutions again, and accordingly the recognition would be granted for an initial period of three years. An Ecclesiastical Advisor will have to be appointed.

10. The first session on the afternoon of 24th April was moderated by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis. The topics taken up were the strengthening of the CBCI Special Commission for Evangelization with working guidelines in view of pastoral care of Catholics and the Empowerment of Churches in India for more effective evangelization and ecclesial presence. Many valid points were made which will have to be considered by the Special Commission for Evangelization. It may be noted here that this Special Commission with the new members met for over an hour on the evening of 25th April when Bishop Gratian Mundadan shared his further experiences as Apostolic Visitator. The Special Commission will have a full day meeting on 13th August, 2008, at St. John’s, Bangalore.

11. The starting of a Medical College in the North was another point on the Agenda. His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal P. Toppo said that he had established a Committee that had identified a large plot of land near Ranchi. While most sympathized with the proposal that will enhance the presence of the Church in Jharkhand and North India, they also felt that more study was required about the financial sustainability, viability of the institution, availability of personnel and infrastructural needs of staff. There was an intervention about the Medical College in Patna, but as there was the promise of support from Government, the Standing Committee felt the Patna proposal could be taken up by the Bishops concerned on their own. Though there was urgency expressed to buy the property in Ranchi, the Standing Committee passed the Resolution: to accept the proposal of the Medical College in Ranchi subject to the further study and approval by the Governing Body of St. John’s that is expected to meet some time this June.

12. There are atrocities committed on Christians across India. Information should be gathered and the causes and circumstances leading to the atrocities and the follow-up action should be studied.

13. The second day (25th April) began with the proposal of Bishop Patrick Nair of Meerut to have a tie-up with NISCORT. Several aspects of the proposal were considered and the points would be taken into consideration by the Governing Board of NISCORT.

14. Some time was spent on the proposed Indian Mission Congress. The name should be more Indian and the theme developed. The venue of the Congress was short-listed to Nagpur and Mumbai. One point that was highlighted was that the finances should be raised in the Indian context. His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Chairman of the Planning Committee, said that the Core Committee was to meet in Mumbai on 29th April and would finalize the details.

15. Oswald Cardinal Gracias had further short interventions regarding the Statutes of SIGNIS INDIA, and the appointment of a new Executive Director of IGSSS by the Board of Governors. The IGSSS has short-listed names for this new appointment.

16. The Audited Statement of Accounts of the CBCI for 2007-08 and the proposed Budget for 2008-09 were accepted and approved. In view of the new set-up of the CBCI Secretariat, the minimum contribution from the Dioceses was kept at Rs.10,000/- per year. Thereafter the Budgets presented by the CBCI Commissions were approved.

17. The venue of the next Standing Committee Meeting will be St. John’s, Bangalore. The dates are as follows:
24th September: St. John’s General Body Meeting;
25th - 26th September: Standing Committee Meeting.
The CBCI-CRI Joint Committee will meet on the morning of Saturday, 27th September, at St. John’s.

18. Guwahati (Assam) has been proposed as another possible venue of the next General Body in 2010. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil will finalize the feasibility study and propose suitable dates for the next Plenary Assembly.

With kind regards and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,


Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes,
Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-09/2008                                             March 18, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub: Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza appointed Bishop of Bellary.


Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With immense joy I inform you that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Bellary.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Saturday, 15th March, 2008, at noon local time, corresponding to 4.30 p.m. Indian time.

Most Rev. Henry D’Souza, belonging to the clergy of Mangalore, was born on 9th September, 1949, at Kinnigoly, near Mangalore, Karnataka. After his high school education at Pompei Junior College and Graduation (B.Sc.) from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore (Mysore University), he did his philosophical and theological studies at St. Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Mangalore, holding B.Th. from the same Seminary, which is affiliated to Urban University, Rome. He holds also P.G. Diploma in Mass Communications (Ireland). After he was ordained priest on 5th May, 1976, he served as an Asst. Parish Priest at St. Peter’s Church, Barkur, (1976-78). Subsequently, he became Asst. Director of Mangala Jyothi (DBCLC) Mangalore (1978-80); Director of Canara Communications Centre, Mangalore (1980-89). From 1984-94, he also held the post of Secretary, Mangalore Christian Council (Ecumenical), and he was Founder Director of SANDESHA, Regional Institute for Communications (1991-2000) as well as Founder of Karnataka Kala Kendra, School of Fine Arts (1990) and Director of Sandesha College of Fine Arts, Mangalore (1996-2000).

His remarkable contribution in the world of Social Communications was recognized by his being nominated President, UNDA OCIC-India, now Signis India (1986-92) and Secretary, Signis-Asia (1989-95). He was also Secretary of the Association for Communal Harmony, Mangalore (1991-95) and Vice-President, DARSHAN Film Society, Mangalore (1995-2000). From 1989-2000 he became Secretary of the Proclamation and Communication Commission of Karnataka Bishops’ Council. In 2000 he was made Chancellor, PRO and Consultor of the Diocese of Mangalore, in which year he was also appointed Executive Secretary of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications, which post he occupied at the time of his appointment as the Bishop of Bellary.

Most Rev. Henry held also some responsible posts in the academic field such as Convener, National Integrated Course in Communications (ICC), Syllabus Committee, Varanasi and Pune (1990 and 1991); Member, Expert Committee for Fine Arts Syllabus, Mangalore University (1998 and 1999) and was appointed by the Press Council of India to monitor print media in Karnataka during the Parliamentary General Elections (1997 and 1999).

He has to his credit some important new initiatives like Sandesha College of Fine Arts, Mangalore; Karavali Chitrotsava (Children’s Film Festival); Triveni Sangama (Kannada, Konkani and Tulu Litterateurs’ Annual Meet) and the Annual month-long Regional Course in Journalism (1991-2000). Besides production of few dance dramas and ballets in Kannada and Konkani and that of a video documentary on Mother Teresa “A Call Within a Call”, he has edited/published the following: A New Way of Being Church in Asia (1994), P R and Church (1998), Sahiti Matthu Samajika Paristhiti (Kannada, 1998), A Communicating Church in India (2002), Called to be a Communicating Church in India (2004), Catholic Communications India, Findings of a Nationwide Survey (2006) and more recently A Communicating Church in India (2007).

We wish Most Rev. Henry D’Souza hearty congratulations and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and Best Wishes for a Happy Easter,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-08/2008                                             March 11, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub: 1. Most Rev. Vincent Barwa, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi, appointed Bishop of Simdega.
2. Most Rev. Joseph Minj, Bishop of Simdega, retires.


Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am pleased to inform you that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Most Rev. Vincent Barwa, Titular Bishop of Acufida and presently Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi, Bishop of Simdega. The Holy Father has simultaneously accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph Minj, who has served the Diocese of Simdega with great pastoral zeal and loving dedication, ever faithful to his episcopal motto “Let Christ increase”. This 76 year old prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 15 years.

The ecclesiastical provisions were made public in Rome on Monday, 11th February, 2008, at noon local time, corresponding to 4.30 p.m. Indian time.

Most Rev. Vincent Barwa was born on 18th October, 1953 and ordained priest on 2nd May, 1984 for the Archdiocese of Ranchi. Rev. Fr. Vincent Barwa did his Philosophical studies at St. Albert’s in Ranchi and Theology at St. Joseph’s in Mangalore. After a stint of pastoral work in catechetical ministry and as Parish Priest in Dhigia, he proceeded to Rome for his further studies in Pastoral Theology with specialization in Youth Catechesis. After his return, he was made Secretary to the Archbishop of Ranchi and Episcopal Vicar of Gumla Zone in the then undivided Archdiocese of Ranchi. When in 1993 the new Diocese of Gumla was erected, he was incardinated in Gumla and became the Secretary of the new Bishop of Gumla. In 1998 he was appointed as the first Bishop of Purnea, the newly erected Diocese which was formerly part of the Diocese of Dumka. His Episcopal Ordination took place on 8th November, 1998.

On 29th September, 2004, Most Rev. Vincent Barwa, Bishop of Purnea, was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ranchi, which he served with great pastoral dedication till the time of his appointment as the Bishop of Simdega. Besides his episcopal ministry during the last 4 years, he was the Chairman of Jharkhand Christian Minority Educational Institutions-Associations as well as responsible for Social Communications in the BIJHAN Region, particularly for the fortnightly publication of ‘Tarang Bharati’.

While we feel proud of Bishop Joseph Minj’s wise and caring pastoral leadership and thank the Almighty God for his generous services for the Church in India and the society at large, we wish him God’s countless blessings and many more years of fruitful apostolate as a retired Bishop. We also wish Most Rev. Vincent Barwa hearty congratulations and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-07/2008                                             February 28, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

The 28th General Body Meeting of CBCI ended prematurely on Wednesday, 20th February, 2008, with lunch because an unexpected ‘Bandh’ was announced for 21st February and it was not advisable to travel on that day.

The general atmosphere of the Meeting was good thanks also to the facilities provided by XLRI and the Bishop and Diocese of Jamshedpur.

1. The Assembly approved the Final Statement on the Main Theme: “Empowerment of Women in the Church and Society”. The text is enclosed herewith.

2. Another Statement condemning violence unleashed on the Minorities in India was also approved. The Assembly also passed a Resolution on the Education problems the Church faces in Kerala and in the country. These last two texts will be sent to you separately.

3. The Elections of Office-Bearers resulted in these new Office-Bearers for a term of two years till the next GBM:

President	:	His Eminence Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, C.Ss.R. (First Term)
Vice-President - I	:	His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias (First Term)
Vice-President - II	:	His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Thotthunkal (Second Term)
Secretary General	:	Most Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes (Second Term)

The following Chairmen to National Centres/Institutions were elected as well:

Caritas India	:	Most Rev. Peter Remigius (Second Term)
St. John’s	:	Most Rev. Percival J. Fernandez (First Term)
NBCLC	:	Most Rev. Maria Calist Soosa Pakiam (First Term)

The Chairman as well as two Member Bishops of the Commission for SC/ST and BC were also elected. They are:

Chairman	:	Most Rev. Charles Soreng, SJ (First Term)
Members	:	Most Rev. Anthonisamy Neethinathan (First Term)
		Most Rev. A. Malayappan Chinnappa, SDB (First Term)

The Concern for the Desk for ST will be taken care of by the CBCI Secretariat with the Bishop in-charge and Secretary appointed.

4. The discussion on “Reorganization of CBCI” was taken forward and the following Resolution was passed by the house unanimously:

“The Plenary Assembly of the CBCI Meeting at XLRI, Jamshedpur from February 13-20, 2008, approves in principle the Road Map for the Reorganization of the CBCI,

as contained in the Paper of the Secretary General dated 5th February, 2008.

It directs the Office-Bearers and the Standing Committee to take concrete steps towards the implementation of the same.

Regional Councils are invited to discuss the proposed Reorganization and send back their comments/suggestions.

At the next Plenary Assembly two years from now the steps taken so far will be studied, the process reviewed and appropriate directions given.”

5. In view of this Resolution and in order to prepare a Report to the Standing Committee the following two Meetings will be held at the CBCI Centre, New Delhi.

- On 3rd April, 2008, a Meeting with the Chairmen of Commissions/National Centres/Institutions and their respective Executive Secretaries and Directors.
- On 4th April, 2008, a Meeting of the Extended Special Committee for Reorganization of CBCI.

6. The Regional Councils are requested to send their comments/suggestions concerning the proposed Reorganization to the Secretary General before 31st August, 2008.

7. The existing Council of Bishops of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (CBMP) felt that the distances between the Dioceses of the two States were not helpful for organizing their common pastoral programs. Hence the Bishops proposed the creation of Chhattisgarh as a new Region. A Resolution with the signatures of the members of the Standing Committee was taken. The General Body of the CBCI thereafter unanimously approved the creation of Chhattisgarh as a new Region.

8. The present Government has not acted on the proposal of the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission nor on that of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to include Christians of Scheduled Caste Origin in the Scheduled Caste list. The case regarding this matter in the Supreme Court is regularly being adjourned to a fresh date for the hearing. Hence a Memorandum was prepared and signed by the President and Secretary General on behalf of the CBCI and has been submitted to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India urging him to extend statutory benefits to Christians of SC origin by introducing the Bill in the Parliament.

With kind regards and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes
Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-06/2008                                             February 26, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Rev. Fr. Anthony Poola appointed Bishop of Kurnool.


Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am greatly pleased to inform you that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rev. Fr. Anthony Poola, Bishop of Kurnool.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Friday, 8th February, 2008, at noon local time, corresponding to 4.30 p.m. Indian time.

Most Rev. Anthony Poola, belonging to the clergy of Cuddapah, was born on 15th November, 1961, at Chindhukur, Kurnool. After his primary and high school education, he joined the Minor Seminary of Kurnool and subsequently did his philosophical and theological studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. He was ordained priest on 20th February, 1992.

Besides holding B.Com. from S.T.B.C. College, Kurnool, and B.Th. from St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore, he did his higher studies in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Department of pastoral care and education, Kalamazoo, U.S.A. and a Course on “Religion and Theological Engagement” at Loyola University, Chicago, IL USA. During his studies abroad, he exercised parish ministry as Associate Pastor at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Chicago, U.S.A.

He served his Diocese in various capacities: as an Asst. Parish Priest at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Mariapuram, Cuddapah (1992-1993) and at Amagampalli (1993-1994), then as Parish Priest at Tekurpet (1994-1995); Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Badvel and Director - St. Thomas Boarding Home, Badvel (1995-2000); Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Veerapally and Director - Vander Valk Boys’ Boarding Home (2000-2001). From 2003 till date he was Coordinator for the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (C.F.C.A.) - Secretary for Educational Society, Deputy Manager, RCM Schools, Diocese of Cuddapah; Editor of CFCA Samachara Lekha, which posts he occupied at the time of his appointment as the Bishop of Cuddapah.

We wish Most Rev. Anthony Poola hearty congratulations and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-04/2008                                             February 05, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Rev. Fr. Prasad Gallela appointed Bishop of Cuddapah.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am much pleased to inform you that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed Rev. Fr. Prasad Gallela, Bishop of Cuddapah.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Thursday, 31st January, 2008, at noon local time, corresponding to 4.30 p.m. Indian time.

Most Rev. Prasad Gallela, belonging to the clergy of Kurnool, was born on 7th April, 1962, at Adoni, Kurnool. After his primary and high school education, he entered St. Pius Minor Seminary, Kurnool and later on he did his philosophical and theological studies at St. John’s Regional Major Seminary, Kondadaba, Hyderabad. He was ordained priest on 1st March, 1989.

He served his Diocese in various capacities: as Director for Youth and for Vocations (1989-93); In-charge of St. Mary’s Junior College Hostel (1989-90); Parish Priest at Koilakuntta (1990-95); Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary (1993-95). Subsequently he proceeded to Rome for his higher studies and obtained a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (1995-99).

After his return from Rome, he exercised pastoral ministry at Uppaladadiya (1999-2000) as well as abroad in the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas, U.S.A. (2000-2004). Since 2004 he is the Professor of Philosophy and Spiritual Director of St. John’s Regional Major Seminary, Kondadaba, which post he occupied at the time of his appointment as the Bishop of Cuddapah.

We wish Most Rev. Prasad Gallela hearty congratulations and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-03/2008                                             January 29, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Very Rev. Dr. Abraham Kackanatt appointed Bishop of Muvattupuzha.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am greatly pleased to inform you that, as per the election of the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church convoked from 9th to 12th October, 2007 according to the norms of CCEO cc 180-185, 187 §1 and 86 §3 and with the Apostolic assent of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, the Major Archbishop, Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos has appointed Very Rev. Dr. Abraham Kackanatt as Bishop of the Eparchy of Muvattupuzha.

This announcement was made simultaneously from Vatican City, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum and from the Cathedral of the See of Muvattupuzha on 18th January, 2008.

Most Rev. Abraham Kackanatt, was born on 10th June, 1944, at Kallooppara, Pathanamthitta Dist., Kerala. After his primary and high school education in his native village, he entered the Infant Mary’s Minor Seminary at Tiruvalla and after his philosophical studies at St. Thomas’ Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam, he did his theological training at Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide, Rome.

He holds M.A. in Sociology from the University of Mysore; Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome; Doctorate in Biblical Theology from Universitas Urbaniana, Rome and Diploma in Biblical and Oriental Sciences from the Bible Institute, Jerusalem. He holds to his credit publications like Christ the High Priest in Letter to the Hebrews; Liturgical Quiz and The Educational Policies of the Kerala Government and Minority Rights.

He held important and responsible offices in the Diocese of Tiruvalla such as Finance Officer, Director of Social Works, Corporate Manager of Schools and Director of Little Flower Garments. He was also Vicar at Horb-Dettlingen in the Archdiocese of Freiburg, Germany and nearer home Principal (Rector) of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Trivandrum; Vicar at St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla; Professor at St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Trivandrum; at Mar Thomas Vidyapeetam, Changanassery and at CANA Research Institute for Family and Marriage, Thuruthy.

At present, he is the Secretary of Pushpagiri Medical Society; Chief Executive Officer, Pushpagiri Group of Institutions; Member, College of Eparchial Consultors, Catholic Diocese of Tiruvalla; Member, Education Commission, Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Member, Education Commission, Inter Church Council, Kerala and Secretary, Major Archiepiscopal Commission for Education & Health Care, Malankara Catholic Church.

We wish Most Rev. Abraham Kackanatt hearty congratulations and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-02/2008                                             January 25, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Rev. Msgr. Felix Anthony Machado appointed Bishop of Nashik.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

It is with great joy that I inform you that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Rev. Msgr. Felix Anthony Machado, Bishop of Nashik, with the personal title of Archbishop.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Wednesday, 16th January 2008, at noon local time, corresponding to 4.30 p.m. Indian time.

Most Rev. Felix Anthony Machado, belonging to the clergy of Vasai, was born on 6th June, 1948, at Remedy, Vasai. After his primary studies in his native village and high school education at St. Thomas High School, Sandor, he graduated from University of Bombay in Indian and Western Philosophy. He did his Philosophy at the St. Pius X College, Mumbai and then he joined the Taizé Brothers in France where he did his Theological studies and obtained Licentiate in Theology from Lyons, France. He was ordained priest in 1976 and after a stint of pastoral ministry as Asst. Parish Priest at Giriz, Vasai, he proceeded to U.S.A. for his higher studies. He holds M.A. in Theology from Maryknoll School of Theology, New York and Ph.D. from Fordham University, New York.

After his return from U.S.A., he taught Indian Philosophy, Theology and Introduction to Major Religions for seven years at the St. Pius X College, Goregaon. In 1993 he was called to the Vatican to work as an Official for Asia Desk in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. In 1999 Pope John Paul II nominated him Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Interreligious Dialogue and confirmed as Under Secretary by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, which post he occupied at the time of his appointment as the Bishop of Nashik.

Besides publishing several articles in Philosophical and Theological journals, he has to his credit written works, such as Jnyaneshwari: Path to Liberation. A Study of XVIII Century Hindu mystic of Maharashtra; Journeying Together. The Catholic Church in dialogue with the Religious Traditions of the World (in English, French, Korean and Italian); Mangalyache Maherghar. Text and Commentary on Lumen Gentium (in Marathi).

We wish Most Rev. Felix Anthony Machado hearty congratulations and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-01/2008                                             January 07, 2008

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Expression of Solidarity with all our brothers and sisters, victims of attacks in Orissa.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

You are well aware of a series of unwarranted attacks against Christians in Orissa since Christmas Eve. In a true spirit of solidarity, I went to Bhubaneshwar to visit all the affected areas and comfort all the victims of arson and violence. I deeply regret to inform you that I was denied access to our suffering brothers and sisters by the Local Government. After my two days’ stay with the Archbishop, Most Rev. Raphael Cheenath, svd, and from what I learnt there I have realized that the situation is really tragic and that the Christian community as well as other local population are still living in great fear and anxiety. So enormous and rapid was the destruction that it resembled a man-made tsunami.

While continuing to pray for the restoration of order, justice and peace in the affected areas and particularly for the safety of the helpless victims of the unjustified attacks, let us contribute generously towards their material well-being and re-building of hundreds of houses of poor villagers as well as of the several Churches and institutions which have been destroyed in the violence.

Recalling the exhortation of the Apostle, “Let love be genuine …be patient in tribulation. Contribute to the needs of the saints” (cf. Rom.12, 9-13) and his earnest appeal for the well-being of the poor Churches (cf. 2 Cor. 8-9) and, above all, urged by the love of Christ, let us all unitedly respond to this great challenge of Charity in this New Year 2008.

It is my great desire and hope that each and every diocese of our Church in India, each and every Church organization and institution will contribute its mite liberally toward this noble cause.

You are kindly requested to send your contribution as early as possible by Demand Draft in favour of CARITAS INDIA, CBCI Centre, 1, Ashok Place, New Delhi - 110 001.

Thanking you sincerely and invoking upon you all God’s abundant blessings in the New Year and in union of prayers,

Yours sincerely,

+ Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo
Archbishop of Ranchi & President of CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-39/2007                                             December 27, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Prayer Octave for Peace in Orissa

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

You have read in the Press and received the PRESS STATEMENT issued by the Media/Information Office of the CBCI on December 26, 2007, regarding the more than twenty attacks on Christians and their institutions in Orissa on December 24 and 25, with some more yesterday on 26th. The series of attacks from Christmas eve till yesterday with impunity suggests a sinister planned effort not only to allow mob rule but to intimidate and destroy the spirit of the Christian community.

His Eminence Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, President of CBCI, and many other Members of our Hierarchy have been in touch with His Grace Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar under whose jurisdiction the places and personnel under attack fall. All have expressed anguish at the grave situation that has arisen and especially that our Christians and Clergy/Religious personnel have had to take refuge in forest areas.

His Eminence proposes that in solidarity with all of them, the Catholic Church with other Christians in India spend a week of prayer -from this Sunday 30th December to Sunday 6th January 2008 - for the Christians of Orissa. According to your possibilities, the prayer may take any form: the regular Parish Masses, special Holy Hours, Night Vigil in our Churches, the recitation of the Rosary in families/homes, the Way of the Cross even in this Christmas Season.... The experience of the Christians of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar: Orissa is a veritable Calvary. The reports suggest a worse scenario than the events of the Dangs some years back.

My request to you is to disseminate this information to your Parishes and Institutions as much as possible and with all the media at your disposal.

United in our prayer,

Devotedly in the Christ Child: Prince of Peace,


+ Stanislaus Fernandes, SJ
Archbishop of Gandhinagar &
Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-38/2007                                             December 21, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:	1.	Rev. Msgr. Michael Akasius Toppo, appointed Bishop of Tezpur.
	2.	Most Rev. Robert Kerketta, SDB, Bishop of Tezpur retires.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am pleased to inform you that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Rev. Msgr. Michael Akasius Toppo, Bishop of Tezpur. The Holy Father has simultaneously accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert Kerketta, SDB, who has served the Dioceses of Dibrugarh and Tezpur with great dedication and pastoral zeal. This 75 year old prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for long 37 years.

The ecclesiastical provisions were made public in Rome on Monday, 3rd December 2007, at noon local time, corresponding to 4.30 p.m. Indian time.

Most Rev. Michael Akasius Toppo, belonging to the clergy of Tezpur, was born on 8th May, 1955, at Gormara, Darrang District, in the parish of Dhekiajuli. After his high school education at Don Bosco School in his native parish, he entered St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Upper Shillong. Having completed his Philosophical studies at Christ King College, Shillong and Theology at St. Albert’s College, Ranchi, he was ordained priest on 26th January, 1986. He served the Diocese of Tezpur in various capacities: Vice-Rector of Muktidata Minor Seminary, Tezpur (1986-88), Asst. Parish priest at Soraibil (1988-89), Asst. Parish Priest of the Cathedral Church, Tezpur (1989-92). Subsequently, he became Parish Priest in the same Cathedral Church (1992-96) and was appointed Rector of Muktidata Minor Seminary, Tezpur (1996-2005). Since 2005 he was Financial Administrator and Chancellor of the Diocese. At the time of his appointment as the Bishop of Tezpur, Most Rev. Michael Toppo was Vicar General of the Diocese of Tezpur.

Most Rev. Robert Kerketta, SDB, ever faithful to his episcopal motto “Trust in the Lord and do Good”, has ably guided the destinies of the two Dioceses, namely, Dibrugarh (1970-81) and Tezpur (1981-2007).

As Bishop-elect he was told to take charge of the Diocese of Dibrugarh even before his episcopal ordination, which took place on 18th October, 1970. Bishop Robert worked for 11 years in the Dibrugarh Diocese. In the meantime the Diocese was divided and the new Diocese of Kohima was erected. In 1981 Bishop Robert was transferred to Tezpur. He had endeared himself to the people and clergy of Dibrugarh and as he himself states ‘he found it difficult to separate himself from his beloved people’.

In 1992 the Diocese of Tezpur was divided, and the new Diocese of Guwahati was erected comprising the territories taken from Shillong Archdiocese and Tezpur Diocese. But 80% of its territories, Christian population and Mission Centres were from Tezpur Diocese. In 1992 the gates of Arunachal Pradesh were opened to the missionary work though not officially. Within a period of 10 years i.e. from 1992 to 2002 as many as 15 full-fledged Mission Centres were established in western Arunachal Pradesh. Many schools and dispensaries were set up. Churches and presbyteries as well as convents and boardings were built and the crowning event of it all, to the great joy of Bishop Robert and all concerned, two dioceses were established in Arunachal Pradesh, namely Itanagar and Miao.

It is worth mentioning that Bishop Robert is the first Adivasi Bishop in the North-Eastern Region. The year 2007 is a very eventful year both for the Mission of Tezpur and for Bishop Robert Kerketta. 75 years ago the Mission of Tezpur was founded on 1st June, 1932 while Bishop Robert was born on 22nd October, 1932. So both are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee this year. Bishop Robert Kerketta loves to say that he was ‘born with the Church and grown with the Church’. When he was appointed Bishop in 1970 there were already four Dioceses and five Bishops, and as he lays down his office this year, he is overjoyed at the tremendous growth of the Church with 15 Dioceses and 18 Bishops in the North-Eastern Region. What a marvel of God’s work and providence!

By dint of hard work and thanks to great pastoral vision of Bishop Robert not only the number of Christians in Tezpur Diocese has increased but also the number of Mission Centers, institutions and priestly and religious vocations. The local priests both diocesan and religious has risen to more than 60. And in the span of last 27 years, the Diocese of Tezpur has contributed from its clergy five more Bishops to the Church, who are working today in different Dioceses of the Region. Wherever he went, Bishop Robert insisted and made every effort to preserve unity among all tribes, groups and sections of people, irrespective of their origin, language and background, in order to foster understanding, co-operation, peace and harmony.

While we feel proud of Bishop Robert Kerketta’s wise and caring pastoral leadership and thank the Almighty God for his generous services for the Church in India and the society at large, we wish him God’s countless blessings and many more years of fruitful apostolate as a retired Bishop. We also wish Most Rev. Michael Akasius Toppo hearty congratulations and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-37/2007                                             November 27, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub: Most Rev. Gerald John Mathias, Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh, transferred to the See of Lucknow.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am pleased to inform you that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI has transferred Most Rev. Gerald John Mathias, Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh, to the See of Lucknow.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Thursday, 8th November, 2007, at noon local time, corresponding to 16.30 hours Indian time.

His Excellency Bishop Gerald John Mathias was born on 20th September, 1953, at Mangalore. Having completed his high school studies, he joined St. Paul’s Seminary, Lucknow. After doing Philosophy and Theology at St. Charles’ Seminary, Nagpur, he was ordained priest for the Diocese of Lucknow on 22nd April, 1979. He holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from Lateran University, Rome. He served as a Vice-Rector at the Nagpur Seminary from 1988-1994 and after returning to his diocese in 1995, he was in-charge of the Lucknow Cathedral.

He was ordained Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh on 9th April, 2000 and served this diocese for 7 years with great dedication. Bishop Gerald was much interested in the overall development of the Diocese and with the full support of the clergy, religious and laity he could draw a master Diocesan Pastoral Plan and got all of them involved in implementing it. He showed great interest in the field of education. Besides adding more structural facilities to many of the already existing schools, he started a number of educational institutions in several parts of the diocese. He also established a regional Propaedeutic Seminary for Delhi, Jammu, Jalandhar and Simla in Chandigarh, Kauli. His unforgettable contribution to the diocese is the aesthetically designed Bishop’s House in Chandigarh.

We wish the new Bishop of Lucknow, Most Rev. Gerald John Mathias, hearty congratulations and all the very best in his episcopal ministry and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his diocese.

With kind regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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Ref: CBCI-Gen/Cir-36/2007                                             October 22, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Your Eminences
Dear Archbishops and Bishops
And Diocesan Administrators,

The 106th CBCI Standing Committee Meeting was held at St. John’s Bangalore on September 26-28, 2007. The first day was devoted to the Annual General Body Meeting of the CBCI Society for Medical Education. After the welcome note by His Eminence Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop Bernard Moras conducted the meeting and was assisted by Fr. Thomas Kalam, Director of St. John’s. The reports of the Hospital and Training and Research Institutions attached to the Society were presented and the accounts were approved and passed. The afternoon began with a PowerPoint presentation of the newly acquired equipment for MRI and Cat-scan with the latest technology. Thereafter His Eminence Cardinal Telesphore Toppo blessed and inaugurated this ultra modern cat-scan machine.

The last session in the evening was the General Body Meeting of the NBCLC. This first General Body Meeting was being held after the approval of the Revised Constitution of the Trust. Archbishop Bernard Moras as ad hoc Chairman of NBCLC conducted the proceedings with the assistance of Fr. Thomas D’Sa, Director of NBCLC. The report and accounts were approved and passed. It is to be noted that NBCLC is celebrating its Ruby Jubilee this year.

First Day of CBCI Standing Committee Meeting: The Topics and Points taken up were as follows:

1. Roadmap of the Restructuring of the CBCI and Reorganization of the CBCI Commissions was presented by Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, Secretary General. The proposal with various modifications that were suggested was approved in principle. It was proposed that the Special Committee for Restructuring should be expanded with the addition of Archbishops Abraham Viruthakulangara, Andrews Thazhath, A. Malayappan Chinnappa, Leo Cornelio and Bishop Gali Bali. This expanded Special Committee will meet at Don Bosco, Matunga, Mumbai, on 14th December to finalize the proposal that will be presented to the General Body Meeting in February, 2008.

2. Preparations for the General Body Meeting 2008:

Bishop John Baptist Thakur, Chairman of the Commission for Women, presented the Concept Paper on the main theme of the GBM: ‘Empowerment of Women in the Church and Society’. The paper was appreciated and approved in principle. Bishop Thakur also informed the Bishops about the Regional Consultations that were being held around the country as well as a National Consultation in Delhi. The Commission was also conducting a Survey in the Dioceses of the Country. Bishop John Baptist Thakur said that the Executive Secretary of the Commission had collected the names of possible Speakers for the Keynote Address and also for Panelists. The Bishops gave their opinions about some of the proposed names and the final selection was left to the Chairman of the Women’s Commission.

The Commission proposed that representatives of women be permitted to attend the inaugural session of the GBM and be present at the Keynote Address and discussion among the Panelists. The Standing Committee approved that there be two Women Representatives from each Region, and these Representatives would include the Resource Speakers and Panelists from that particular Region. There would also be one Male Representative from each Region and these should include the representations from the various national organizations (viz. CCI, ICYM, etc.) that are invited to the Inaugural Session. All these lay representatives could stay on for the Keynote Address, Panel Discussion, Workshops and General Reporting cum Discussion.

The suggestion of having a couple of sessions on Current Affairs/Events and the Response of the Church was accepted. Some topics were proposed and it was left to the Office-Bearers to finalize the topics to be taken up. Bishop Gratian Mundadan, Archbishop Vincent Concessao and Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes met in Delhi and decided on two matters:

7. Other Appointments/Confirmations: