ALERTS
Fr M Julian Fernando Appointed Administrator of Caritas IndiaFr. Ajit Kerketta Appointed Associate Director of St. John’s Medical College, BangaloreRev. Dr Wilson Cheruvil Appointed Associate Director of St. John’s Medical College at Brigade Meadows, BangaloreFace of Jesus on Holy Eucharist: Vatican Approves Vilakkannur Eucharistic SignPope Leo: Families Are the Cradle of Humanity’s Future, Anchored in God’s Infinite LoveFr. Benny Edayath Appointed Assistant Director of Caritas IndiaFr. R. Jesudass Appointed Executive Director of Caritas IndiaFr Ajith B. Menezes Appointed Associate Director of St. John’s Medical College and Research InstituteBishop Mathews Mar Polycarpos Appointed as New Bishop of Mavelikara; Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios ResignsPope Leo XIV Addresses Roman Curia and Vatican Employees in First Official Audience Pope Leo XIV Appoints Sr. Tiziana Merletti as Secretary of Dicastery for Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic LifePope Leo XIV Authorizes Decrees Recognizing Heroic Virtues of Servant of God Mathew Makil, Paving Way for Title of VenerableRev. Fr. John Boya Veliyil Nominated as Chaplain to the Holy Father Pope Leo XIVPope Leo XIV Visits Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, Entrusts Pontificate to Apostle’s IntercessionPope Leo XIV Sends Message to Rio Conference Marking 10th Anniversary of ‘Laudato Si’“The Heart-Rending Price of Hostility Is Paid by the Innocent”: Pope Leo XIV Opens First General Audience with Appeal for GazaPope Leo XIV Pays Tribute to Pope Francis One Month After His Passing: “We Remember Him with Deep Gratitude”Pope Leo XIV to Preside at Mass Every Sunday in June and Hold Consistory on CanonizationsPope Leo XIV meets with US Vice President Vance Pope Leo XIV Calls for Dialogue and Building Bridges in First Audience with Religious LeadersCardinal Oswald Gracias calls for lasting peace between India and PakistanPope Leo XIV will receive the Ring of the Fisherman during the Mass of Inauguration of his PontificatePope Leo XIV at Inauguration Mass: 'Let us walk towards God and love one another'Pope Leo XIV Appeals for Peace in Regina Caeli AddressThe rite for the Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Leo XIVPope Leo XIV Urges Diplomats to Foster Peace Rooted in Justice, Truth, and HopePope Leo XIV Urges Eastern Catholics to Preserve Their Heritage and Foster PeaceHoly See Reaffirms Commitment to Ending Child Labor at UN DialogueCBCI President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath Meets Pope Leo XIV in Vatican, Extends Warm Welcome and Formal Invitation to Visit IndiaRome hosts Jubilee of Eastern ChurchesJubilee of Eastern Churches: Divine Liturgy in Ethiopian Rite at St. Peter’sCBCI Hosts Second National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship and Consultation on Formation of National Federation of ChurchesPope Leo XIV Urges Media to 'Disarm Words' and Promote Peace in Address to JournalistsVatican Sends Vesak Greetings, Calls for “Liberating Dialogue” Between Buddhists and ChristiansPope Leo XIV Visits Chapel of Papal Apartments in the Apostolic PalacePope Leo XIV prays at tomb of late Pope Francis at St. Mary MajorPope visits Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano outside Rome‘Whatever She Tells You, Do It’ - Pilgrimage to Genazzano Shrine Highlights Marian DevotionPope Leo XIV to lead first Regina Caeli prayer todayPope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at the tomb of Saint PeterPope Leo XIV expresses satisfaction over India-Pakistan ceasefire, urges wider Global PeaceSeals removed from the Papal apartment of the Apostolic Palace Pope Leo XIV to Cardinals: Church must respond to digital revolutionCBCI Calls for National Day of Prayer for Peace Amid Rising Security ConcernsPope Leo XIV's motto and coat of armsPope Leo XIV's Pectoral cross holds relics of Saints Augustine and MonicaThe motto of Pope Leo XIV: “In the One, we are one.”His Holiness Pope Leo XIV: The New Shepherd of the Universal ChurchCBCI Standing Committee Holds Thanksgiving Mass for Newly Elected Pope Leo XIVCBCI Expresses Joy and Loyalty Following Election of Pope Leo XIVPope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass as Pontiff: "We Are to Bear Witness to Our Joyful Faith in Christ"Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV to be held on May 18The Conclave begins to elect 267th popeBlack smoke signals end of first day of conclaveBlack Smoke: No election after morning of first full day of conclaveHabemus Papam!CBCI President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath Congratulates Newly Elected Pope Leo XIVProcession of the Cardinals from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel and entrance into the Conclave and schedule of the ConclaveOfficials and Conclave staff take Oath of Secrecy in Pauline Chapel11th General Congregation focuses on migration, synodality, unity‘Christian entrepreneurs in India are the architects of the Nation, shaping the nation with vision, integrity, and faith’: CBCI President, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath12th General Congregation focuses on necessary qualities for a future PopeCardinals invite faithful to pray for peaceCardinal Mamberti: Pope Francis, faithful to his mission with all his strengthCBCI President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath Calls for Nationwide Prayer on May 7 as Cardinals Prepare to Elect New Pope

Pope Leo XIV

Supreme Pontiff

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India is pleased to express its deep joy and happiness on the election of the new Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. The Church in India joins with millions of Catholics around the world in raising our hearts and minds in thanksgiving to the Heavenly Father for providing us a shepherd after the pattern and image of His Son, Jesus Christ, the Supreme Shepherd.

The Church in India pledges its total loyalty and allegiance to the new Pope Leo XIV, and assure His Holiness of our fervent prayers that the Holy Spirit who inspired the Cardinal-electors to choose Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the successor of St. Peter, may continue to guide and strengthen His Holiness in the discharge of the duties of the Petrine Ministry for the good of the Catholic Church and for the well-being of the entire humanity.

CBCI Leadership

President

Most Rev. Andrews Thazhath

Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur

Vice President-I

Most Rev. George Antony samy

Metropolitan Archbishop of Madras - Mylapore

Vice President-II

Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas

Bishop of Bathery

Secretary General

Most Rev. Anil Joseph Thomas Couto

Metropolitan Archbishop of New Delhi

Deputy Secretary General

Rev. Fr. Mathew Koyickal

Director of CBCI Centre

Regional Offices

Kerala (KCBC)

His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Thottunkal (Trivandrum)
PresidentHis Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Thottunkal (Trivandrum)
Rt. Rev. Mar Pauly Kannookadan (Irinjalakuda)
Vice PresidentRt. Rev. Mar Pauly Kannookadan (Irinjalakuda)
Rt. Rev. Alex Vadakumthala (Kannur)
Secretary GeneralRt. Rev. Alex Vadakumthala (Kannur)
Rev. Fr. Thomas Tharayil
Deputy Secretary GeneralRev. Fr. Thomas Tharayil

Tamil Nadu (TNBC)

Most Rev. George Antonysamy (Madras-Mylapore)
PresidentMost Rev. George Antonysamy (Madras-Mylapore)
Most Rev. Dr. A Lawrence Pius, Bishop of Dharmapuri
Vice PresidentMost Rev. Dr. A Lawrence Pius, Bishop of Dharmapuri
Rt. Rev. Nazarene Soosai (Kottar)
Secretary GeneralRt. Rev. Nazarene Soosai (Kottar)
Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph
Deputy Secretary GeneralRev. Fr. Francis Joseph

Karnataka (KCBC)

Most Rev. Peter Machado (Bangalore)
PresidentMost Rev. Peter Machado (Bangalore)
Fr. S. Jayanathan
Secretary GeneralFr. S. Jayanathan

Agra (ARBC)

Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly (Agra)
PresidentMost Rev. Raphy Manjaly (Agra)
Rt. Rev. Ignatius D'Souza (Bareilly)
Secretary GeneralRt. Rev. Ignatius D'Souza (Bareilly)
Fr. Saji Palamattom
Deputy Secretary GeneralFr. Saji Palamattom

CBCI at a Glance: United in Witness

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, established in 1944, exemplifies the unity and dedication of the Catholic Church in fostering faith throughout the nation. Guided by a deep-rooted commitment to the Gospel, this collective effort consistently fortifies the fabric of our diverse communities.

Founded
1944
Bishops
257
Dioceses
174
Churches
13309

Latin

The Latin Rite in India, characterized by its rich traditions and diverse communities, forms a significant part of the Catholic Church's heritage in the country. Rooted in centuries of faith and practice, the Latin Rite upholds the liturgical norms and canonical disciplines as practiced universally by the Roman Catholic Church.

Bishops190
Dioceses132
Churches9360
CBCI Diagram

Syro-Malabar

The Syro-Malabar Church is an East Syrian Rite, Major Archiepiscopal Church in full communion with the Vatican. It is the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church after the Ukrainian Church and the largest of the Saint Thomas Christian denominations with roots tracing back to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century.

Bishops65
Dioceses35
Churches2753

Syro-Malankara

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is an Antiochian Rite Major Archiepiscopal Church centered in Kerala, India. It traces its origins to the re-establishment of communion with the Catholic Church in 1930, led by Archbishop Mar Ivanios. It celebrates the liturgy according to the West Syrian liturgical tradition.

Bishops16
Dioceses12
Churches1196

CBCI News Highlights

Stay updated with the latest news and updates from the Catholic Bishops Conference of India

Fr M Julian Fernando Appointed Administrator of Caritas India

Fr M Julian Fernando Appointed Administrator of Caritas India

Face of Jesus on Holy Eucharist: Vatican Approves Vilakkannur Eucharistic Sign

Face of Jesus on Holy Eucharist: Vatican Approves Vilakkannu...

Rev. Dr Wilson Cheruvil Appointed Associate Director of St. John’s Medical College at Brigade Meadows, Bangalore

Rev. Dr Wilson Cheruvil Appointed Associate Director of St. ...

Fr. Ajit Kerketta Appointed Associate Director of St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore

Fr. Ajit Kerketta Appointed Associate Director of St. John’s...

Pope Leo: Families Are the Cradle of Humanity’s Future, Anchored in God’s Infinite Love

Pope Leo: Families Are the Cradle of Humanity’s Future, Anch...

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Faith, Service, and Community

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Saints of India

St. Thomas the Apostle

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St. Thomas the Apostle

St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception

St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, born in 1910 in Kerala, India, is the first Indian woman saint. Known for...

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St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara

St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, born in 1805 in Kerala, India, was a pioneering priest, educator, and social reformer. As the...

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St. Francis Xavier

St. Francis Xavier, a 16th-century Spanish Jesuit missionary, is one of the most influential figures in the history of Christianity....

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St. Gonsalo Garcia

St. Gonsalo Garcia, a 16th-century missionary and martyr, was the first Indian-born saint of the Jesuit Order. A key figure...

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St. Joseph Vaz

St. Joseph Vaz was a 17th-century missionary priest from Goa, India, known for his exceptional work in Sri Lanka, where...

St. Joseph Vaz

St. Devasahayam Pillai

St. Devasahayam Pillai, a 17th-century martyr, is the first Indian layperson to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic...

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St. Mariam Thresia

St. Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, a Kerala-based saint, is known for her deep spirituality, dedication to the service of the...

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St. Bartholomew the Apostle

St. Bartholomew the Apostle, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, is traditionally identified with Nathanael in the Gospels. Known...

St. Bartholomew the Apostle

St. Pantaenus

St. Pantaenus, a 2nd-century Christian theologian, missionary, and scholar, was the head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. Renowned for...

St. Pantaenus

St. John de Brito

St. John de Brito, a 17th-century Portuguese Jesuit missionary, is remembered for his profound dedication to spreading Christianity in India....

St. John de Brito

St. Mariam Baouardy

St. Mariam Baouardy, also known as the 'Little Arab,' was a Lebanese nun who became a member of the Carmelites...

St. Mariam Baouardy

St. Euphrasia Eluvathingal

St. Euphrasia Eluvathingal, also known as St. Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was a Kerala-based Catholic nun who...

St. Euphrasia Eluvathingal

St. Teresa of Calcutta

St. Teresa of Calcutta, commonly known as Mother Teresa, was an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun and missionary who dedicated her life...

St. Teresa of Calcutta

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