New Delhi, 31 October 2025: The Prison Ministry India (PMI) Jubilee Convention, marking a
milestone in the mission of faith, compassion, and rehabilitation, concluded
with the Valedictory Session on 30 October and the Closing Eucharistic
Celebration on 31 October 2025 at NESTT, Muvattupuzha.<o:p></o:p>

The Valedictory Session opened with a
prayer led by the PMI Ernakulam Zone, invoking divine grace on the mission and
its volunteers. Rev. Dr. Francis Kodiyan MCBS, CBCI Secretary to Prison
Ministry India and National Coordinator, welcomed the dignitaries and
participants, recognizing the unwavering service of volunteers who have carried
forward PMI’s transformative journey.<o:p></o:p>

His Beatitude Most Rev. Mar Raphael
Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, delivered the Inaugural
Address, underscoring the spiritual core of restorative justice. “The Gospel
calls us not merely to reform systems but to restore persons—to see Christ in
every prisoner,” he said. He also released “The Beginning”, a book by
Rev. Fr. Varghese Karippery, one of PMI’s founders, documenting the ministry’s
early years of faith and compassion.<o:p></o:p>

In his Presidential Address, His Eminence
Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human
Development, Vatican City, praised PMI for embodying the Church’s social
mission. “When mercy touches broken humanity, both are transformed—the giver
and the receiver,” he said. He also released “PMI Rehabilitation Centers:
Theories and Praxes”, authored by Rev. Dr. Francis Kodiyan MCBS, a detailed
study on prison rehabilitation in India’s socio-spiritual context.<o:p></o:p>

Most Rev. Mar Jose Pulickal, CBCI
Chairperson for PMI, in his Benedictory Address, highlighted the ministry’s
prophetic role in restoring dignity to the marginalized. He released “Beyond
Bars – A New Dawn for Life after Incarceration” by Sr. Amala DC, featuring
stories of transformation. Successive addresses by Most Rev. Allwyn D’Silva,
former Chairperson of PMI, and Most Rev. Peter Remigius, the first Chairperson,
included the release of “Rehoboth – From Prison to Purpose” by Sr.
Santan Nago FS and the PMI Jubilee Souvenir compiled by Prof. Edmund Frank.<o:p></o:p>

Rev. Fr. Varghese Karippery, Cofounder of
PMI, delivered a heartfelt reflection recalling divine guidance in the
ministry’s growth from humble beginnings to a global mission. Volunteers were
honoured by Cardinal Czerny for their committed service to prisoners.<o:p></o:p>

Sr. Amala DC, National Secretary of PMI,
proposed the Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to bishops, clergy,
volunteers, and benefactors who contributed to the Jubilee’s success.<o:p></o:p>

The event concluded with the motto “Ad
Majorem Dei Gloriam – To the Greater Glory of God” and the enduring Gospel
call: “I was in prison, and you visited me” (Mt 25:36).<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

Prison Ministry India Jubilee Convention Concludes with a Call to Restore Dignity and Hope

New Delhi, 1 November 2025, CBCI: As
part of the Prison Ministry India (PMI) Jubilee Convention, His Eminence
Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ visited the PMI Rehabilitation Centre at
Snehashramam, Vettukad, Thrissur, marking a deeply symbolic and grace-filled
moment in the ministry’s 40-year journey of compassion and rehabilitation.<o:p></o:p>

Upon arrival, Cardinal Czerny blessed the
newly erected St. Dismas Shrine, dedicated to the Good Thief who, as Scripture
recounts, received the first “stamped visa to heaven” from Jesus. The Public
Meeting that followed began with a heartfelt prayer led by the inmates, a
moving testimony to the power of faith and transformation.<o:p></o:p>

Rev. Fr. Varghese Karippery, the first
Director of Snehashramam and one of PMI’s founders, offered the introduction,
recalling the ministry’s four decades of mercy and renewal. His Grace Most Rev.
Mar Andrews Thazhath, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
(CBCI) and Archbishop of Thrissur, welcomed the gathering and reaffirmed the
Church’s unwavering support for PMI’s mission to bring hope and healing behind
prison walls.<o:p></o:p>

In his Presidential Address, Cardinal
Czerny commended India’s unique witness to the Gospel of mercy, saying, “Every
act of compassion opens a door—not only for the prisoner, but for the entire
society to be healed and renewed.”<o:p></o:p>

Most Rev. Fr. Siby Njavallikunnel CMF,
Provincial Superior of the St. Thomas Province, and Rev. Fr. George
Kannamthanam CMF delivered Benedictory Addresses, highlighting the fruitful
collaboration between religious congregations and PMI in advancing rehabilitation
and reintegration programmes across the country.<o:p></o:p>

A touching moment came when Cardinal Czerny
handed over the key to a newly built house to Mrs. Mary Louis, symbolizing
PMI’s tangible commitment to rebuilding lives and restoring dignity beyond
incarceration.<o:p></o:p>

The ceremony concluded with a Vote of
Thanks by Rev. Dr. Francis Kodiyan MCBS, CBCI Secretary to PMI, who expressed
gratitude to bishops, clergy, religious, volunteers, and benefactors supporting
the ministry’s mission. The final act—the planting of a tree, watered by
dignitaries during the inaugural day—stood as a living symbol of faith, hope,
and growth rooted in mercy.<o:p></o:p>

The PMI Jubilee Convention 2025 thus came
to a close in an atmosphere of thanksgiving and renewed dedication to the
mission of transforming lives through prayer, compassion, and justice, shining
forth its theme: “Fallen humans may rise again on wings of prayer.”<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

Cardinal Michael Czerny Blesses St. Dismas Shrine at PMI Rehabilitation Centre, Thrissur: A Celebration of Mercy, Renewal, and Hope

New Delhi, 2 November &nbsp;2025, CBCI: &nbsp;Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Bharanikulangara
officially assumed office as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of the newly
elevated Archdiocese of Faridabad of the Syro-Malabar Church. The solemn
installation ceremony was held on Sunday, 2 November at 2:30 p.m. at the Talkatora
Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, specially prepared for the occasion.<o:p></o:p>

The Archdiocese of Faridabad, originally erected as a
diocese on March 6, 2012, was formally elevated to an archdiocese during the
ceremony, which was witnessed by thousands of faithful, along with prominent religious,
cultural, and political leaders.<o:p></o:p>

Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, head of the
Syro-Malabar Church, presided over the installation ceremony. Among the
co-celebrants were CBCI President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Delhi
Archdiocesan Archbishop and CBCI Secretary General Archbishop Anil Couto, Archbishop
Joseph Pamplany of Thalassery, and Archbishop Thomas Tharayil, Metropolitan of
Changanassery. Auxiliary Bishop Jose Puthenveettil welcomed the gathering.<o:p></o:p>

During the ceremony, the decree of elevation of the Diocese
of Faridabad to an Archdiocese issued by the Synod of Bishops of the
Syro-Malabar Church, and the Papal Bull appointing Mar Kuriakose
Bharanikulangara as the first Archbishop were read out. <o:p></o:p>

Following this, the solemn Holy Qurbana was celebrated,
presided over by Archbishop Bharanikulangara, with the participation of 27
bishops, over 100 priests, religious men and women, and more than 2,000
faithful from various parishes of the Archdiocese of Faridabad. Monsignor
Andrea Francis, representing the Apostolic Nuncio, was also present at the
ceremony.<o:p></o:p>

After the Eucharistic celebration and thanksgiving, a felicitation
meeting was held, attended by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and George Kurian,
and K.V. Thomas, Kerala’s special representative in New Delhi. Union Minister
Hardeep Singh Puri conveyed his greetings through a video message.<o:p></o:p>

Official Proclamation of the Archdiocese of Faridabad and the Installation of its First Metropolitan Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Bharanikulangara

New Delhi, 1 November 2025 CBCI: His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
has appointed Rev. Fr. Simon Almeida, of the clergy of the Diocese of Poona, as
the new Bishop of Poona. Until now, he has been serving as the Deputy Secretary
of the Western Region Bishops’ Council.<o:p></o:p>

Bishop-elect Simon Almeida was born on November 4, 1960, in
Ghas, now part of the Diocese of Vasai. He pursued Philosophy and Theology at
St. Pius X College, Mumbai, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in
Psychology and a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Bombay, as
well as a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Manila University, Quezon
City, Philippines.<o:p></o:p>

He was ordained a priest on April 1, 1990, for the Diocese
of Poona.<o:p></o:p>

Throughout his priestly ministry, he has held various
pastoral and administrative responsibilities: Assistant Parish Priest of St.
Patrick’s Cathedral, Poona (1990–1994); Assistant Parish Priest of St.
Ignatius, Kirkee (1994–1996); Diocesan Director for Youth (1996–2000); Rector
of the Minor Seminary (2002–2003); Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Cathedral,
Poona (2003–2008); Member of the Presbyteral Council (since 2003); Parish
Priest of St. Francis Xavier’s, Chinchwad (2008–2013); Member of the College of
Consultors (since 2009); Treasurer of the Diocese of Poona (2010–2015); Parish
Priest of St. Anne’s, Solapur Bazaar (2013–2019); and Parish Priest of St. John
Paul II, Wakad (2019–2023).<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV Appoints Rev. Fr. Simon Almeida as New Bishop of Poona

New Delhi, 30 October 2025, CBCI:&nbsp;Meeting with thousands of students gathered in the Audience Hall for the Jubilee of the World of Education, Pope Leo XIV delivered an inspiring address centered on faith, learning, and peace.<o:p></o:p>“What a joy it is to meet you!” the Holy Father began, recalling his own years as a teacher of mathematics and physics. He encouraged young people to live life fully, echoing the words of newly canonized Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati: “To live without faith is not living but simply getting along.”&nbsp;The Pope urged the youth to keep striving “toward the heights,” and to be remembered as the “generation plus” — one that brings an extra spark of hope and creativity to the Church and the world.<o:p></o:p>He emphasized that such transformation begins through education, describing it as “one of the most beautiful and powerful tools for changing the world.” Referring to the Global Compact on Education&nbsp;launched by Pope Francis, the Pontiff reminded students that they are not merely recipients but protagonists of education. He invited them to become truth-speakers and peace-makers, inspiring their peers through integrity, dialogue, and compassion.<o:p></o:p>Drawing on the examples of Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and John Henry Newman, Pope Leo compared education to the stars that guide humanity. “Each of you is a star, and together you are called to guide the future… Those who lead many to righteousness shall shine like the stars forever (Dan 12:3),” he said.<o:p></o:p>The Pope also identified three major challenges for today’s youth. First, he called for the formation of the interior life, emphasizing the need for silence, prayer, and self-understanding amid the restlessness of modern life. Second, he spoke about digital education, urging young people to use technology wisely and not let “the algorithm write your story.” Third, he highlighted education for peace, calling on the young to foster reconciliation and fraternity by disarming hearts and rejecting violence and division.<o:p></o:p>Recalling the example of Saint Carlo Acutis, who used the internet as a tool for evangelization, Pope Leo encouraged students to “humanize the digital” and to be “prophets in the digital world,” not passive consumers.<o:p></o:p>Concluding his address, the Pope invited the young people to look beyond fleeting pleasures and temporary trends. “Do not look to shooting stars, on which fragile wishes are entrusted. Look higher still, toward Jesus Christ, the sun of righteousness, who will always guide you along the paths of life,” he said.<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV to Students: “Be Truth-Speakers, Peace-Makers, and Prophets in the Digital World

New Delhi, 31 October 2025, CBCI, In a thrilling World Cup semi-final clash, India scripted a memorable victory over defending champions Australia, thanks to a sensational performance by Jemimah Rodrigues. The Indian batter smashed a blistering 127 runs, guiding her team to a successful chase of 339 and securing a spot in the final.<o:p></o:p>Speaking at the post-match presentation, Jemimah expressed deep gratitude for divine guidance throughout the game. “Firstly, I want to thank Jesus, because I couldn’t do this on my own,” she said, attributing her success to her faith.<o:p></o:p>Rodrigues also drew inspiration from Scripture, quoting Exodus 14:14: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”&nbsp;Her heartfelt testimony of faith added a powerful dimension to her record-breaking knock, making the victory even more inspiring for fans around the world.<o:p></o:p>

Jemimah Rodrigues Credits Faith in Christ After Match-Winning Century Against Australia

New Delhi, 29 October 2025 (CBCI): The
first-ever International Convention of Prison Ministry India (PMI) opened with
solemnity and hope on 29 October 2025 at NESTT, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, under the
inspiring theme “Fallen Humans May Rise Again on Wings of Prayer.” The
inaugural ceremony marked a historic milestone in the mission of PMI,
reflecting its unwavering commitment to bring faith, rehabilitation, and
dignity to those behind bars.<o:p></o:p>

The ceremony began with a prayer song led
by Rev. Fr. Jins Pulickal and the Hail Mary Band (KLM), setting a deeply
spiritual tone for the gathering. The Bible reading was delivered by Very Rev.
Fr. Vincent Nedungatt, Vicar General and the first prayer group member of PMI,
followed by a moment of prayer led by Rev. Fr. Joseph Mackolli, KCBC’s first
Director for PMI.<o:p></o:p>

In his introductory talk, Rev. Dr. Francis
Kodiyan MCBS, Co-Founder of PMI and CBCI Secretary to PMI, traced the humble
beginnings of the movement and highlighted its transformative impact across
India’s prison systems. He recalled the countless volunteers who brought
Christ’s compassion to the most marginalized and reaffirmed PMI’s mission of
spiritual and social reintegration for prisoners.<o:p></o:p>

A warm welcome was extended by Most Rev.
Mar George Madathikandathil, Bishop of Kothamangalam, and Rev. Sr. Amala DC,
National Secretary of PMI. A symbolic act of watering the plant represented
growth, renewal, and the nurturing of hope through prayer and service.<o:p></o:p>

His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Poola,
Archbishop of Hyderabad, delivered the Inaugural Address, commending PMI for
embodying the Church’s call to mercy. “Every prisoner is a human being with a
divine spark,” he said. “Through faith and compassion, we help them rediscover
that light.” His Eminence captivated the gathering by singing a Telugu hymn in
his rich, melodious voice, filling the atmosphere with reverence and emotion.
He also lauded the exemplary work of Rev. Dr. Francis Kodiyan MCBS in the field
of prison rehabilitation, emphasizing the mission of Jesus’ mercy toward those
who seek forgiveness and renewal.<o:p></o:p>

On this occasion, Fr. Savio from Goa read
out a message from Cardinal Philip Neri, who conveyed his blessings and good
wishes to all participants, encouraging them to continue the mission of Prison
Ministry India with renewed zeal.<o:p></o:p>

In his Presidential Address, Most Rev. Mar
Jose Pulickal, CBCI Chairperson to PMI, emphasized that true freedom is found
in forgiveness and conversion. His Eminence Cardinal Poola and Bishop Pulickal
together released the book “From Captivity to Calling – The Legacy of Prison
Ministry India,” authored by Rev. Dr. Francis Kodiyan MCBS.<o:p></o:p>

The event also witnessed the release of
several other significant publications that enriched the intellectual and
spiritual dimensions of the convention. An Inner Spiritual Journey Through
Prison Walls by Sr. Marina Gulati CSJ was released by Most Rev. Peter
Remigius, former CBCI Chairperson to PMI. Chains to Wings – Stories of Grace
from Prison Ministry by Sr. Sherly Kidangan OSB was released by Most Rev.
Mar George Punnakkottill, Bishop Emeritus of Kothamangalam. Understanding
Crime, Prison and Forensics by Prof. Edmund Frank was released by Very Rev.
Fr. Mathew Koyickal, CBCI Deputy Secretary General, Delhi, and Fr. Varghese
Karippery. Each publication reflected a unique aspect of PMI’s holistic
mission—embracing spirituality, psychology, criminology, and pastoral care.<o:p></o:p>

The ceremony also included a special moment
to honour Mr. Mathew Albin for his distinguished service to prison ministry,
recognizing his years of dedication and compassion.<o:p></o:p>

The inaugural session concluded with a Vote
of Thanks delivered by Rev. Fr. Martin Thatil, PMI South Regional Coordinator,
followed by a group photograph of His Eminence the Cardinal, Bishops, Priests,
Religious, and lay delegates—symbolizing unity in service.<o:p></o:p>

The opening of PMI’s Jubilee Convention
stood as a powerful testimony to the Church’s mission of mercy, reaffirming
that no life is beyond redemption. Echoing multiple papal writings and
encyclicals, the message resounded: “There is no cell in the world that can
be isolated from God’s love and mercy.”<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

First International Convention of Prison Ministry India Opens with the Message: “Fallen Humans May Rise Again on Wings of Prayer

New Delhi, 30 October 2025, CBCI: Pope
Leo XIV held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, 29 October, in St.
Peter’s Square, meeting pilgrims and faithful from Italy and around the world.
Welcoming them warmly, he greeted, “Dear brothers and sisters, pilgrims of
faith and representatives of different religious traditions! Good morning,
welcome!”<o:p></o:p>

In his catechesis, Pope Leo XIV dedicated
the audience to the theme of interreligious dialogue, drawing inspiration from
the Gospel encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Quoting the Lord’s
words—“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and
truth” (Jn 4:24)—the Pope reflected on the profound meaning of dialogue
rooted in openness, sincerity, and mutual enrichment. He emphasized that this
exchange is born of a shared thirst: “God’s thirst for the human heart and the
human thirst for God.”<o:p></o:p>

At the well of Sychar, the Pope noted,
Jesus transcended barriers of culture, gender, and religion, inviting the
Samaritan woman to understand worship beyond physical places—“neither on this
mountain nor in Jerusalem”—but rather in Spirit and truth. This, the Holy
Father said, reveals the heart of authentic interreligious dialogue: the
discovery of God’s presence beyond every boundary and the invitation to seek
Him together in reverence and humility.<o:p></o:p>

Recalling the 60th anniversary of the
Second Vatican Council’s Declaration Nostra Aetate, promulgated on 28
October 1965, Pope Leo XIV highlighted its enduring legacy of encounter,
respect, and spiritual hospitality. He described the document as a “luminous
guide” that calls believers to view followers of other religions not as
strangers but as companions on the path of truth. The declaration, he said,
teaches the Church to honor differences while affirming the common humanity
that unites all peoples.<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV also reflected on the special
relationship between the Church and the Jewish people, recalling that Nostra
Aetate first sought to renew this foundational bond. Citing the document,
he reaffirmed: “The people of the New Testament are spiritually linked with
the lineage of Abraham… The Church of Christ recognizes that the beginnings of
its faith and its election are already found in the patriarchs, in Moses, and
in the prophets.” The Pope strongly reiterated the Church’s consistent
rejection of anti-Semitism, declaring, “The Church does not tolerate
anti-Semitism and combats it, for the sake of the Gospel itself.”<o:p></o:p>

Expressing gratitude for six decades of
Jewish-Catholic dialogue, the Holy Father acknowledged that while
misunderstandings and difficulties have occurred, they have never halted the
journey of friendship and cooperation. “We must not allow political circumstances
or injustices to deter us from this friendship,” he said.<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the spirit of Nostra
Aetate continues to illuminate the Church’s path, recognizing that all
religions can reflect “a ray of that truth which enlightens all men.” Dialogue,
he said, must be not only intellectual but deeply spiritual—rooted in love,
which is the true foundation of peace, justice, and reconciliation. He called
upon bishops, clergy, religious, and lay faithful to promote all that is good,
true, and holy in the traditions of other faiths.<o:p></o:p>

Addressing the challenges of the modern
world, the Holy Father urged all religions to work together for peace, justice,
and the protection of human dignity. “Let us act together,” he appealed. “Our
world needs unity, friendship, and collaboration. Each of our religions can
help alleviate suffering and care for our common home.” He also drew attention
to the ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, warning that if it
becomes an alternative to humanity, it could “gravely violate human dignity and
neutralize fundamental responsibility.”<o:p></o:p>

Reaffirming the moral role of religion,
Pope Leo XIV said that peace begins in the human heart. “Religion can play a
fundamental role in restoring hope—to our personal lives, our families, our
schools, our nations, and our world,” he said. “This hope is grounded in our
faith and in the belief that a new world is possible.”<o:p></o:p>

Concluding his address, the Holy Father
invited all present to rekindle the hope that Nostra Aetate brought to a
post-war world sixty years ago. “Today we are called to reestablish that same
hope in our war-torn world and our wounded environment,” he said. “Let us work
together, because if we are united, everything is possible. Let nothing divide
us.”<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV concluded the audience with a
moment of silent prayer, reminding the faithful that prayer has the power “to
transform our attitudes, our thoughts, our words, and our actions.”<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

Pope Leo XIV at General Audience: “Let Us Act Together for Peace, Dialogue, and the Dignity of Every Human Being

New Delhi, 28 October 2025, CBCI: His
Holiness Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful appeal for global peace and
reconciliation during the Meeting for Prayer for Peace held at the
Colosseum on Tuesday, in the presence of leaders from various Christian
Churches and world religions.<o:p></o:p>

“We have prayed for peace according to our
diverse religious traditions, and we are now gathered together to proclaim a
message of reconciliation,” the Pope said, emphasizing that “war is no help in
dealing with conflicts” and that “peace is a constant journey of
reconciliation.”<o:p></o:p>

Thanking the religious leaders for their
presence and prayers, the Holy Father underscored the transformative power of
prayer: “The human heart must be open to peace. It is through meditation that
we open our hearts, and in prayer that we go beyond ourselves. Prayer changes
the course of history.”<o:p></o:p>

Recalling the historic interfaith encounter
convened by Saint John Paul II in Assisi on 27 October 1986, Pope Leo XIV
highlighted the enduring “spirit of Assisi,” which continues to inspire
dialogue and friendship among religions. “Today, it seems that the world has
gone in the opposite direction,” he said, “but we embrace the challenge of
Assisi and the awareness of our shared task and responsibility for peace.”<o:p></o:p>

Marking the 60th anniversary of the Second
Vatican Council’s Declaration Nostra Aetate, the Pope reaffirmed the
Church’s commitment to dialogue and fraternity: “We cannot truly pray to God as
Father of all if we treat any people as other than sisters and brothers, for
all are created in God’s image.”<o:p></o:p>

Referring to the words of Pope Francis
addressed to last year’s interreligious meeting in Paris, Pope Leo XIV warned
against the misuse of religion for political ends: “War is never holy; only
peace is holy, because it is willed by God.”<o:p></o:p>

The Pope made a heartfelt plea to world
leaders, urging them to end the culture of conflict and embrace dialogue and
negotiation as the true paths to peace. “To put an end to war is a solemn duty
before God incumbent on all those holding political responsibilities,” he said.
“Peace is the priority of all politics. God will ask an accounting of those who
failed to seek peace.”<o:p></o:p>

Echoing the words of the Venerable Giorgio
La Pira, he called for “a new era of world history: the era of negotiation, the
era of a world without war.”<o:p></o:p>

Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV voiced
a fervent prayer: “Enough of war! This is the cry of the poor and the cry of
the earth. Enough! Lord, hear our cry! Even if the world turns a deaf ear, God
will hear the cries of those who suffer. God wants a world without war. He will
free us from this evil.”<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

Pope Leo XIV Calls for End to War at Interfaith Prayer Meeting for Peace at the Colosseum

New
Delhi, 27 October 2025, CBCI: Following the official announcement of his
appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay, Rev. Dr. Stephen
Fernandes visited the CBCI Centre, New Delhi, on Monday, 27 October.<o:p></o:p>

Until
now, Bishop-elect Stephen Fernandes had been serving as a member of the staff
at the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi and residing at the CBCI Centre during
his tenure. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV appointed Rev. Fr. Stephen Fernandes of
the Archdiocese of Bombay as Auxiliary Bishop of the same Archdiocese on 25
October 2025.<o:p></o:p>

To
mark the occasion, Bishop-elect Stephen Fernandes presided over the Holy Mass
at the CBCI Centre Chapel, concelebrated with Rev. Dr. Mathew Koyickal, Deputy
Secretary General of the CBCI, and other secretaries of various CBCI offices.
In his words of welcome, Rev. Dr. Mathew Koyickal extended warm greetings and
assured the prayers and support of the CBCI Centre family.<o:p></o:p>

After
the Eucharistic celebration, a short felicitation programme was held at the
CBCI refectory. Rev. Adv. Asha Paul, Secretary of the CBCI Office for Women,
felicitated the Bishop-elect with a garland, while Rev. Fr. Jesu Das, Director
of Caritas India, honoured him with a shawl. Rev. Adv. Nirdosh Ekka, Secretary
of the CBCI Office for Tribal Affairs, who is also celebrating his birthday
today, joined in felicitating the Bishop-elect. The CBCI Centre community,
along with the Rev. Sisters, shared in the joy of the newly appointed Auxiliary
Bishop.<o:p></o:p>

The
event was coordinated by Rev. Fr. B. Selvadhas, House Minister of the CBCI
Centre. Bishop-elect Stephen Fernandes expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all
gathered for their prayers, support, and affection.

Reception Held for Bishop-elect Stephen Fernandes at CBCI Centre, New Delhi

New Delhi, 25 October 2025, CBCI: Pope
Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Fr. Stephen Fernandes of the Archdiocese of Bombay,
currently serving as a member of the staff at the Apostolic Nunciature in New
Delhi, as the Titular Bishop of Abbir Maius (Abbiritanus) and Auxiliary
Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay.<o:p></o:p>

Bishop-elect Stephen Fernandes was born on
September 20, 1961. He completed his early education at Our Lady of Salvation
High School, Dadar, and Don Bosco High School, Matunga. After his studies, he
taught at Our Lady of Salvation High School, Dadar, from 1981 to 1983.
Responding to his vocation, he joined the seminary in 1983 and pursued his
Philosophical and Theological studies at St. Pius X College, the Archdiocesan
Seminary of Bombay at Goregaon, from 1983 to 1990. He was ordained a priest on
March 31, 1990.<o:p></o:p>

Following his ordination, he served the
Archdiocese in various pastoral and academic capacities as Assistant Parish
Priest at St. John the Evangelist Church, Marol (1990–1992), Lecturer in Sacred
Scripture and Moral Theology at St. Pius X College (1992–1994), Secretary of
the Archdiocesan Priests Council (1991–1994; 2004–2007), and as a Member of the
Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and Deanery Catechetical and Youth Coordinator
(1990–1992).<o:p></o:p>

He later pursued higher studies in Rome
and obtained a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Accademia Alfonsiana,
affiliated with the Pontifical Lateran University, in 2000. Upon returning to
India, he was appointed Professor of Ethics and Moral Theology, Church
Documents, and Patrology at St. Pius X College, Mumbai, where he served as
Resident Professor from 2000 to 2018 and as Visiting Professor from 2018
onwards. Over the years, he has held several significant responsibilities,
including Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Doctrine and Theology
(2010–2018), Ecclesiastical Advisor of the Catholic Medical Guild of St. Luke,
Mumbai (2001 onwards), Executive Director of the F.I.A.M.C. Bio-Medical Ethics
Centre (2008–2018) and its Principal Consultant from 2018, Secretary of the
Permanent Diaconate Programme of the Archdiocese of Bombay (2004–2018), and Executive
Committee Member of the Cardinal Paul Poupard Foundation Chair of
Inter-Cultural and Inter-Religious Dialogue at St. Andrew’s College, Mumbai
(2008–2018).<o:p></o:p>

He also served as National Ecclesiastical
Advisor to the Catholic Nurses Guild of India (2013 onwards), National
Secretary of the CBCI Office for Justice, Peace and Development (2015–2023),
and as Catholic Theologian on the Baptist–Catholic Dialogue of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican City (2017–2023). Since
September 2018, Bishop-elect Fernandes has been serving as a member of the
staff at the Apostolic Nunciature to India and Nepal in New Delhi.<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV Appoints Rev. Dr. Stephen Fernandes as New Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay

New Delhi, 25 October 2025, CBCI: Pope Leo
XIV has appointed Rev. Fr. Antony Kattiparambil, who has been serving as the
Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Cochin, as the new Bishop of the same Diocese.<o:p></o:p>

Bishop-elect Antony Kattiparambil was born
on October 14, 1970, in the parish of Mundamvely in the Diocese of Cochin.
After completing his schooling, he joined Mount Carmel Petit Seminary, Fort
Cochin, in 1986 and completed his minor seminary formation in 1990. He then
pursued his philosophical studies at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye.
Following his regency, he continued his theological studies at the Pontifical
Urban University (Università Urbaniana), Rome, where he also obtained a
Licentiate in Biblical Theology between 1996 and 1998.<o:p></o:p>

He was ordained a priest on August 15,
1998, for the Diocese of Cochin.<o:p></o:p>

From 1998 to 2002, he served as Assistant
Parish Priest at Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Cochin, and at St. Sebastian’s
Church, Thoppumpady (2002–2003). In 2003, he was sent to the Diocese of Prato
in Italy for pastoral work, serving as Pastoral Assistant at the Church of St.
Francis (2003–2005). Upon his return, he was appointed Administrator of St.
Joseph’s Church, Kumbalanghi (2005–2010).<o:p></o:p>

He later returned to Italy, serving as
Pastoral Assistant at the Parish of Santi Sisinio, Martirio e Alessandro,
Brivio, Milan (2010–2013), and subsequently at San Pio V, Rome (2013–2016).
During this period, he earned a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical
Urban University, Rome.<o:p></o:p>

Upon his return to India, he was appointed
Parish Priest of St. Martin’s Church, Kallanchery (2016–2021). Since 2016, he
has served as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Cochin and, from 2023, as Parish
Priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Kumbalam. He also served as Episcopal Vicar for
Religious from 2023 to 2024.<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV Appoints Rev. Fr. Antony Kattiparambil as New Bishop of the Diocese of Cochin

New Delhi, 23 October 2025, CBCI: Archbishop Andrews
Thazhath, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), along
with Cardinal George Koovakad, met with His Eminence Pietro Cardinal Parolin,
Vatican Secretary of State, at the Vatican on 23 October 2025.<o:p></o:p>

During the meeting, which lasted for about one and a half
hours, they discussed in detail various aspects concerning the Indian Catholic
Church. Archbishop Thazhath extended an official invitation to Cardinal Parolin
to inaugurate the forthcoming CBCI General Assembly, scheduled to be held at
St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, from 4 to 10 February 2026.<o:p></o:p>

The CBCI President also presented Cardinal Parolin with
copies of the letter addressed to the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, inviting him to
visit India, along with a comprehensive report on the Indian Catholic Church.<o:p></o:p>

The discussion also touched upon the possibilities of
meetings with Indian political and religious leaders. Cardinal Parolin assured
that the final decision would be conveyed soon.<o:p></o:p>

Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, CBCI President Meets Vatican Secretary of State; Invites Cardinal Parolin to Inaugurate CBCI General Assembly in India

New Delhi, 22 October 2025, CBCI: During his Wednesday
General Audience on 22 October 2025 in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV offered
a profound reflection on the Resurrection of Christ as a divine response
to human sadness and despair.<o:p></o:p>

Addressing thousands of faithful gathered in the Square, the
Holy Father began warmly, “Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! And
welcome, everyone!” He described the Resurrection as “an explosion of life and
joy that changed the meaning of all reality,” not through dramatic or violent
means, but “in a gentle, hidden, almost humble way.”<o:p></o:p>

Focusing his catechesis on the theme of sadness,
which he called “one of the illnesses of our time,” Pope Leo noted that many
people live with uncertainty and despair that “invade the interior space and
seem to prevail over any surge of joy.”<o:p></o:p>

Drawing from the Gospel account of the disciples on the road
to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35), the Pope reflected on how the Risen Christ
transforms human sorrow into hope. “Sadness clouds their gaze,” he said,
referring to the two disciples who failed to recognize Jesus. “But when he
breaks the bread, their eyes are opened, and joy is rekindled.”<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo explained that the Emmaus story is a “paradigm of
human sadness” transformed by the encounter with the Risen Lord. “The act of
breaking bread reopens the eyes of their hearts, illuminating once again their
vision clouded by despair,” he said, adding that their experience reveals how
Christ walks with us even when we fail to perceive Him.<o:p></o:p>

Quoting the disciples’ exclamation, “The Lord is truly
risen,” the Pope emphasized that the Resurrection is not merely symbolic but a real
and concrete event. “Jesus was not resurrected in words, but in deeds,” he
affirmed. “The victory of life is not an empty word, but a real, concrete
fact.”<o:p></o:p>

Concluding his reflection, Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful
to let the joy of the Resurrection heal the sadness of their hearts. “May the
unexpected joy of the disciples of Emmaus be a sweet warning to us when the
journey becomes difficult,” he said. “The Risen One walks with us and for us…
He alone makes the impossible possible.”<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV: The Resurrection of Christ - A Response to Human Sorrow

New Delhi, 23 October 2025, CBCI: Pope Leo XIV has once
again reaffirmed his firm stance against all forms of abuse within the Church,
declaring that “there can be no tolerance for any form of abuse.” The Holy
Father made this appeal in a message addressed to the National Safeguarding
Conference, held in Clark-Angeles, Philippines, from 20–24 October 2025.
The message was conveyed on his behalf by Archbishop Charles J. Brown,
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, to Archbishop Florentino G. Lavarias,
Chairman of the Office on the Protection of Minors of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).<o:p></o:p>

Expressing deep appreciation for the organizers and
participants of the conference, Pope Leo XIV urged the Church to ensure that
every parish and pastoral space remains a safe and nurturing environment for
all, especially children and the vulnerable. “The Church is our spiritual
home,” the Pope stated. “Every parish and pastoral activity is meant to be a
space in which we glorify God and care for others, especially children and the
vulnerable. I renew my appeal that there can be no tolerance for any form of
abuse in the Church.”<o:p></o:p>

The Pope also highlighted the need for “essential policies
and practices that ensure transparency in dealing with cases,” stressing that
these measures must foster “a culture of prevention” and safeguard “these
little ones of the Lord.” Encouraging the Church in the Philippines and beyond,
Pope Leo XIV said that through such commitment, “the Church will be a more
authentic witness of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who always loves and cares for
His flock.” Concluding his message, the Holy Father entrusted all those
participating in the conference to the maternal protection of the Blessed
Virgin Mary and imparted his Apostolic Blessing.<o:p></o:p>

News Courtesy: Vatican News&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV Calls for ‘Zero Tolerance’ on Abuse in the Church

New Delhi, 23 October 2025, CBCI: King Charles III and Queen
Camilla of the United Kingdom joined His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for an
ecumenical Midday Prayer service in the Sistine Chapel, marking a historic
moment in Anglican–Catholic relations during the royal couple’s official state
visit to the Vatican.<o:p></o:p>

Earlier in the morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace,
Pope Leo XIV received Their Majesties in audience. King Charles III also held a
meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness,
accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with
States and International Organizations.<o:p></o:p>

During the cordial discussions at the Secretariat of State,
both parties expressed appreciation for the good bilateral relations between
the Holy See and the United Kingdom. They also addressed issues of mutual
concern, including environmental protection, the fight against poverty, and the
shared commitment to promoting peace and global security. Particular attention
was given to the ongoing efforts to strengthen ecumenical dialogue.<o:p></o:p>

Following the meetings, Pope Leo XIV, King Charles III, and
Queen Camilla gathered in the Sistine Chapel for a solemn prayer service led
jointly by the Holy Father and the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, the
Archbishop of York and Primate of England. The service included the chanting of
psalms and a Gospel reading beneath Michelangelo’s renowned frescoes.<o:p></o:p>

The ecumenical gathering was attended by several
distinguished church leaders, including Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of
Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and
Wales, and Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh, representing the
Scottish episcopate.<o:p></o:p>

The occasion was hailed as a significant gesture of unity
and shared faith between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.<o:p></o:p>

King Charles and Queen Camilla Join Pope Leo XIV for Ecumenical Prayer in Sistine Chapel

New Delhi, October 22, 2025 (CBCI): Archbishop Andrews
Thazhath, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and
Archbishop of Trichur, met Holy Father Pope Leo XIV during the General Audience
at the Vatican on October 22, 2025.<o:p></o:p>

Speaking after the audience, Archbishop Thazhath expressed
his joy and gratitude for the opportunity to meet the Holy Father once again.
“I am very happy to inform you that today I had the great privilege and honor
of meeting Pope Leo XIV during the General Audience. I had earlier met him on
May 14, 2025, shortly after his election, when he granted an audience to the
Oriental Bishops and faithful,” he said.<o:p></o:p>

During the meeting, Archbishop Thazhath officially invited
Pope Leo XIV to visit India at the earliest opportunity and presented him with
a formal letter of invitation on behalf of the Church in India. He also handed
over a detailed report on the state of the Catholic Church in India — a SWOT
analysis highlighting its activities, challenges, and positive contributions.<o:p></o:p>

“I informed the Holy Father that I would also be discussing
this matter with the Government of India,” Archbishop Thazhath noted, adding
that a formal discussion regarding the papal visit will continue during his
scheduled meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State,
on October 23.<o:p></o:p>

Archbishop Thazhath shared that the Pope warmly received the
invitation and imparted his apostolic blessings upon the Church and the people
of India. “Pope Leo XIV was very happy and conveyed his blessings for the
Catholic Church in India and for all the people of our nation,” he said.<o:p></o:p>

The Archbishop also mentioned that the next General Body
Meeting of the Catholic Bishops of India will be held in February 2026, for
which he sought the Pope’s message and special blessing.<o:p></o:p>

“The Holy Father loves the Church in India and continues to
bless us,” Archbishop Thazhath affirmed.<o:p></o:p>

CBCI President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath Officially Invites Pope Leo XIV to India

New Delhi, 22 October 2025, CBCI: Archbishop Andrews
Thazhath, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and
Archbishop of Trichur, met Holy Father Pope Leo XIV during a Papal Audience at
the Vatican on 22 October 2025.<o:p></o:p>

During the audience, Archbishop Thazhath conveyed the
affectionate greetings and prayerful wishes of the bishops, clergy, religious,
and faithful of India to the Holy Father. The Pope expressed his paternal
closeness to the Church in India.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

CBCI President Archbishop Thazhath Meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on October 22, 2025

New Delhi, 18 October 2025, CBCI: The Holy Father Pope Leo
XIV has appointed Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Selvarajan, as the Bishop of the Diocese of
Neyyattinkara. Earlier, on 8 February 2025, Pope Francis had named him
Coadjutor Bishop of the same diocese.<o:p></o:p>

Bishop Selvarajan Dasan was born on 27 January 1962 in
Valiyavila, within the Diocese of Neyyattinkara. He pursued his philosophical
and theological studies at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye, and later
obtained a licentiate and doctorate in Canon Law from the Université Catholique
de Louvain, Belgium.<o:p></o:p>

He was ordained a priest on 23 December 1987 for the
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Trivandrum of the Latins. Over the years, Bishop
Selvarajan has served the Church in multiple pastoral and administrative roles,
including Parish Priest of St. Albert’s Church, Muthiyavila (1988–1994);
Director of Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Trivandrum (1991–1995); Parish
Priest of St. Jude’s, Chinnathurai (1994–1995); and Parish Priest of St.
Theresa’s, Manikkapuram (1995).<o:p></o:p>

He has also rendered distinguished service as Defender of
the Bond at the Trivandrum Tribunal and Director of Pastoral Care (2001–2003);
Parish Priest of St. Paul’s, Maranelloor, and Director of Schools (2001–2008);
Defender of the Bond of the Tribunal of Neyyattinkara (2001–2011); and member
of both the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Council for Economic Affairs
(since 2007).<o:p></o:p>

From 2008 to 2014, he served as Chancellor and Pastor of the
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, followed by his tenure as Pastor of Sacred
Heart and Director of the Logos Pastoral Centre (2014–2019). Since 2011, Bishop
Selvarajan has been the Judicial Vicar of Neyyattinkara and, since 2019, the
Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier Church, Thirupuram.<o:p></o:p>

He was ordained a Bishop on March 25,
2025. He succeeds Bishop Vincent Samuel who resigned from the pastoral
governance of the dioceses of Neyyattinkara today. &nbsp;His appointment as Bishop marks a continuation
of his long and dedicated service to the Church in Kerala, particularly within
the Diocese of Neyyattinkara.<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV Appoints Rt. Rev. Selvarajan Dasan as New Bishop of Neyyattinkara

New Delhi, October 18, 2025, CBCI: His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
has accepted the resignation of Rt. Rev. Vincent Samuel from the pastoral
governance of the Diocese of Neyyattinkara.<o:p></o:p>

Bishop Vincent Samuel was born on 10 August 1950 in Arayoor,
Kerala. He was ordained a priest on 19 December 1975 and served in several
parishes of the then undivided Diocese of Trivandrum. Later, he pursued higher
studies at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, where he obtained a
Doctorate in Systematic Theology in 1987.<o:p></o:p>

Upon returning to India, he was appointed Professor of
Systematic Theology at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Major Seminary, Alwaye, and
subsequently served as its Vice-Rector in 1994.<o:p></o:p>

On 14 June 1996, when Pope John Paul II established the
Diocese of Neyyattinkara by bifurcating the Diocese of Trivandrum, Bishop
Vincent Samuel was appointed as its first Bishop. Since then, he has shepherded
the diocese faithfully for nearly three decades, guided by his episcopal motto,
“To serve and save.”<o:p></o:p>

Bishop Vincent Samuel’s leadership has been marked by his
deep commitment to pastoral care, education, and the spiritual renewal of the
faithful in the Diocese of Neyyattinkara.<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV Accepts the Resignation of Bishop Vincent Samuel of Neyyattinkara

New Delhi, October 11, 2025: The Catholic Church in India reaffirmed its commitment to mental
health and pastoral care through the National Mental Health Conference
organized by the Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM) under the CBCI Office
for Healthcare. The two-day conference, held from October 10–11 at
Changanacherry, Kerala, was centered on the theme “Raising Awareness and
Fostering Change.”<o:p></o:p>

The event was inaugurated by His Excellency
Bishop Lumen Monteiro, Chairman of the CBCI Office for Healthcare, in the
presence of Fr. Santhosh Dias, National Secretary of the CBCI Office for
Healthcare; Fr. Shinto Mathew, National President of CMHM; Sr. Dr. Joan
Chunkapura, MMS, National Secretary of CMHM; Fr. Subin, Associate Director of
CMHM Kerala Region; and Fr. Bijo, Convenor.<o:p></o:p>

In his inaugural address, Bishop Lumen
emphasized the importance of establishing a dedicated mental health ministry in
every parish community, stressing that mental wellness is an essential part of
living a healthy life of faith. The conference brought together priests,
religious, and lay participants from dioceses across India, creating a dynamic
forum for dialogue and collaboration within the Church.<o:p></o:p>

The two-day event featured a series of
expert talks and panel discussions addressing key mental health concerns faced
by individuals and faith communities. Dr. Sr. Joan Chunkapura, MMS, spoke on Midlife
Reappraisal and Its Management, while Dr. Chikku Mathew, a leading
psychiatrist, discussed Managing Depression Among Youth. Dr. Varghese
Punnoose, Principal of Kottayam Medical College, presented on Personality
Disorders and Their Impact on Life.<o:p></o:p>

Dr. Sr. Rani Augustine, MSA, National
Director of CMHM Outreach, shared insights on Implementing Mental Health
Promotion in Ministry Settings. Dr. Jonathan Lourdusamy focused on Challenges
in Adolescent Psychiatry, and Fr. Faustine Lobo, Director of Fr. Muller
Medical College, elaborated on Pioneering Mental Health Ministry in India.<o:p></o:p>

The discussions also featured Dr. Bobby
Thomas Kokkat, who spoke on Collaborative Care in Dementia, and Mr. Sigi
Antony, who addressed Addiction in Modern Life. Dr. Patricia Viego,
Director of CMHM Parish Ministry, explained Starting CMHM Ministry in
Parishes, while Mr. Edwin Waker emphasized Grassroots Involvement in
Mental Wellbeing.<o:p></o:p>

Fr. Santhosh Dias reflected on Leadership
and Strategic Planning for Mental Health in the Catholic Church, and Adv.
Febby Mathew examined The Impact of Disasters on Mental Health. The
conference concluded with a session by Dr. Sr. Sally John, who highlighted Mental
Healthcare among Religious Sisters.<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

CBCI Office for Healthcare Holds National Mental Health Conference with its network CMHM

New Delhi, October 10, 2025: The National Mental Health Conference organized by the Catholic
Mental Health Ministry (CMHM) under the CBCI Office for Healthcare marked World
Mental Health Day with a special celebration at St. Thomas Hospital,
Chethipuzha. The event was inaugurated by Archbishop Thomas Tharayil, Ecclesial
Advisor of CMHM India, in the presence of Bishop Lumen Monteiro, Chairman of
the CBCI Office for Healthcare; Bishop Alex Vadakumthala, Secretary General of
the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council; and other dignitaries.<o:p></o:p>

In his presidential address, Archbishop
Thomas Tharayil spoke about the many challenges faced by today’s youth and
assured them of the Church’s constant support in their struggles. He
underscored the vital role of the Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM) in
fostering wellness and promoting a culture of mental health awareness within
the Catholic Church.<o:p></o:p>

Delivering the keynote address, Bishop
Vadakumthala emphasized the importance of a strong and nurturing family life as
the foundation for holistic mental health. Rev. Dr. Mathew Koyickal, Deputy
Secretary of the CBCI, lauded CMHM’s tireless efforts in advancing the Church’s
mission to integrate mental health care into pastoral life across the country,
in the presence of Fr. Santhosh Dias, National Secretary of the CBCI Office for
Healthcare, and Fr. Shinto Mathew, National President of CMHM.<o:p></o:p>

As part of the celebration, the conference
also recognized individuals who have made outstanding contributions to mental
health within the Church. Sr. Rose Paite, MSMHC, received the Jenamma Thomas
Mental Health Award for her compassionate service in promoting mental
wellness and rehabilitation in Northeast India. Dr. George Padanilam was
honoured with the Late Rev. Dr. Antony Mannarkulam Award for his
pioneering work in the rehabilitation and empowerment of persons with
disabilities. Ms. Rita James, from the Archdiocese of Delhi, received the Chiara
Luce Badano Youth Award for her remarkable advocacy in raising mental
health awareness and fostering inclusion within her parish and educational
community.<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

World Mental Health Day Celebration Highlights the Church’s Commitment to Mental Wellbeing

New Delhi, October 10, 2025: The Catholic
Mental Health Ministry (CMHM), a network under the CBCI Office for Healthcare,
honored Sr. Rose Paite, MSMHC, with the National Award during the World Mental
Health Day Conference.<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

The award was presented by Archbishop
Thomas Tharyil in the presence of Bishop Lumen Monteiro, Chairman of the CBCI
Office for Healthcare; Bishop Alex Vadakumthala, Secretary General of the
Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council; Fr. Mathew Koyickal, CBCI Deputy Secretary;
Fr. Santhosh Dias, National Secretary, CBCI Office for Healthcare; Fr. Shinto
Mathew, National President, CMHM; and several mental health professionals from
various dioceses across India.

The Mrs. Janamma Thomas Muthoot Award,
instituted in association with CMHM India, commemorates Mrs. Janamma Thomas
whose life of compassion and service to the poor and sick across Karnataka,
Kerala, and other parts of India exemplified Christian love and care.

Sr. Rose Paite, who hails from Singngat in
Manipur, is a member of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians
(MSMHC). A dedicated social worker with over 25 years of experience, she has
been actively involved in empowering women and children and supporting
marginalized communities. She is a pioneer in preventing human trafficking,
promoting safe migration, and advocating for the rights of domestic workers.

This award recognizes her outstanding
contribution to mental health advocacy and her unwavering commitment to
upholding human dignity and holistic well-being. Her recognition serves as an
inspiration for the people of North India - especially the North East - to
integrate mental health promotion and wellness initiatives
into&nbsp;everyday&nbsp;life.<o:p></o:p>

Sr. Rose Paite from Singngat in Manipur Wins Church Recognition for Promoting Wellness at the Grassroots 

New Delhi, September 10, 2025 (CBCI): Pope
Leo XIV, addressing participants of the 39th Conference of the MINDS
International Association at the Vatican Apostolic Palace on September 9,
underscored the vital responsibility of journalists in safeguarding truth and
promoting ethical communication in an era marked by misinformation and digital
transformation.<o:p></o:p>

Welcoming the participants, the Holy Father
acknowledged the paradox of modern communication, observing that while
information technology has advanced rapidly, both news agencies and consumers
are facing a crisis of authenticity. “We might call it a paradox that in the
age of communication, news and communications agencies are experiencing a
crisis,” he said. “And that information consumers are also experiencing a
crisis themselves, often mistaking the false for the true, the authentic for
the artificial.”<o:p></o:p>

The Pope described information as a public
good that demands protection and called for an alliance between citizens
and journalists, grounded in ethical and civic responsibility. “What is truly
constructive,” he noted, “is an alliance between citizens and journalists,
underpinned by a commitment to ethical and civic responsibility.” He praised
the courage of reporters who risk their lives to ensure the public’s right to
know, especially in war-torn regions such as Gaza and Ukraine, reminding the
audience that many journalists have become victims of violence and suppression.<o:p></o:p>

In a renewed appeal for press freedom, Pope
Leo XIV reiterated his earlier call for the release of journalists unjustly
imprisoned for their reporting. “Being a journalist can never be considered a
crime, but a right to be protected,” he stated firmly.<o:p></o:p>

Reflecting on the challenges posed by the
digital era and artificial intelligence, the Pope urged vigilance in ensuring
that technology serves humanity rather than controls it. “Algorithms generate
content and data at a scale and speed never seen before. But who governs them?”
he asked. “We must be vigilant to ensure that technology does not replace
humanity, and that information and the algorithms that govern it today are not
in the hands of a few.”<o:p></o:p>

Citing Pope Francis’ address during the
Jubilee of Communication earlier this year, he echoed the call for “courageous
entrepreneurs and computer engineers” to ensure that communication remains pure
and authentic, free from manipulation, cognitive pollution, and unfair
competition. He also warned against the degradation of media through clickbait
practices and profit-driven distortion of truth.<o:p></o:p>

Pope Leo XIV praised the dedication of
press agency journalists who work tirelessly, often under immense pressure, to
deliver accurate and timely news. He described their work as an antidote to the
spread of “junk information,” emphasizing that it requires competence, courage,
and a strong sense of ethics.<o:p></o:p>

Quoting philosopher Hannah Arendt, the Pope
warned against the dangers of a society that loses its sense of truth. “The
ideal subject of a totalitarian regime,” he recalled, “is not the convinced
Nazi or the convinced Communist, but the person for whom there is no longer any
difference between reality and fiction, between true and false.”<o:p></o:p>

He urged journalists to act as guardians of
truth, defending civilization against the “shifting sands of approximation and
post-truth.” “The communications economy cannot and must not separate its
destiny from the sharing of truth,” he said, stressing that transparency,
accountability, and objectivity are essential to restoring citizens’ trust in
information.<o:p></o:p>

Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV
encouraged media professionals to remain steadfast in their vocation and
integrity. “Remember: never sell out your authority!” he exhorted. “May the
Spirit of God, who is truth and strength, and instills meekness and courage,
sustain you. And may my blessing accompany you.”<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

Pope Leo XIV Urges Journalists to Defend Truth and Uphold Free Information

New Delhi, 10 October 2025, CBCI: The CBCI Office for
Education and Culture released four new books on education during the
concluding session of the 56th National Convention of the All India Association
of Catholic Schools (AINACS).<o:p></o:p>

The books were officially released by Most Rev. Elias
Gonsalves, Chairperson of the CBCI Office for Education and Culture and Archbishop
of Nagpur. The ceremony was marked by the presence of Fr. Shinoj Kizhakkemuryil
TOR, President of AINACS; Rev. Dr. Maria Charles, Executive Secretary of the
CBCI Office for Education and Culture; and several other dignitaries.<o:p></o:p>

The new publications include Catholic Educators – Heralds
of Transforming Education, the proceedings of the CBCI National Symposium
on National Education edited by Rev. Dr. Maria Charles; Saint Educators –
The Story of Holiness and Education in the Church, compiled by Rev. Dr.
Maria Charles and Brandon Arnold John; Education 5.0 – Nurturing Gen-Next
for Excellence and Service, proceedings from the CBCI National Consultation
on Education edited by Rev. Dr. Maria Charles; and The Teachings of the
Catholic Church on Education – Church’s Most Significant Magisterial Documents
on Education, compiled by Rev. Dr. Maria Charles and Brandon Arnold John.<o:p></o:p>

The books, printed and distributed by ATC Bangalore, reflect
the Church’s ongoing commitment to promoting excellence, service, and
value-based education across India.<o:p></o:p>

CBCI Office for Education and Culture Launches Four New Books on Education 

New Delhi, 9 October 2025, CBCI: In his first Apostolic
Exhortation, In his first Apostolic Exhortation, “Dilexi te” Pope Leo XIV sets
out the foundations of Christian Revelation and of the tradition of the Church<o:p></o:p>

1.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The face of the poor as an epiphany of the
Kingdom of God (8-12)<o:p></o:p>

In the healing of wounds, whether physical, social or
spiritual, the Church proclaims that the Kingdom of God embraces the
vulnerable. In every act of care such as visiting the sick (Mt 25:36), the
Christian community experiences salvation as a concrete relationship with those
who bear the marks of the Cross in their flesh.<o:p></o:p>

Poverty, a huge social problem, is also a theological theme:
through the poor, God speaks to the Church (“Dilexi te,I have loved you”
[1]), faith becomes real in mercy and service that break down barriers, and
God’s people experience the beatitude of “the poor in spirit.”[2]<o:p></o:p>

2.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
From structures of sin to the conversion of
social structures (90-98)<o:p></o:p>

Recent Church teaching understands that poverty results from
structures of sin. Selfishness and indifference solidify in economic and
cultural systems. The “economy that kills”[3]measures human value in terms of
productivity, consumption and profit. This “dominant mentality” makes it
acceptable to discard the weak and unproductive, and thus deserves the label
“social sin”.<o:p></o:p>

Beyond donations and other assistance, the Church's response
denounces the false impartiality of the market, proposes models of development,
promotes justice, aims for the conversion of structures. This fosters a form of
communal or social repentance that restores dignity to the invisible and helps
them to develop more fully.<o:p></o:p>

3.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Poverty as active subjectivity and principle of evangelization
(99-102)<o:p></o:p>

St John Paul II urged the poor to become protagonists of
ecclesial and social transformation. Popular movements (80-81) with their
“moral energy,”[4] demonstrate that justice arises from including the excluded.
Besides suffering privation, the poor can be “bearers of hope” and “builders of
a common destiny.”[5]Let the Church assist them, be evangelized by them,
recognise the Spirit at work in them, and together proclaim the Gospel.<o:p></o:p>

4.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Education, Eucharist and Service: promoting
integral development (68-72, 108-114)<o:p></o:p>

Promoting integral human development, according to the
Social Teaching of the Church, intertwines education, Eucharist and service.<o:p></o:p>

•Education is the first act of justice, because it frees
people from spiritual poverty and prepares them for social responsibility.<o:p></o:p>

•The Eucharist brings diverse people together, nourishes the
community and missions ittocharity and solidarity.<o:p></o:p>

•Service is social love in concrete form: care for the poor
and for our common home.<o:p></o:p>

Thus, the Church offers mercy to the world, promoting a civilization
in which every person is recognised as the image of God.<o:p></o:p>

5.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Charity generates peace and universal fraternity
(108-114)<o:p></o:p>

InDilexi te, Pope Leo joins Pope Francis in
declaring: there will beno peace as long as the poor and the planet are
neglected and abused.<o:p></o:p>

Christian peace is reconciling and reconciled justice. The
poor, Mother Teresa said, “do not need our pity but our respectful
love.”[6]Treating them with dignity is the first act of peace. Only a society
with the discarded at its centre can be truly peaceful, and only a world of
such societies can be at peace.<o:p></o:p>

“Dilexi te”: Pope Leo XIV Outlines the Foundations of Christian Revelation and Church Tradition

New Delhi, 9 October 2025, CBCI: &nbsp;Pope Leo XIV has released his first Apostolic
Exhortation titled “Dilexi te” (“I have loved you,” from Rev 3:9),
inviting all Christians to recognize and love Christ in the poor and the
suffering.<o:p></o:p>

Signed on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the document
takes forward Pope Francis’ desire “that all Christians come to appreciate the
close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor.”<o:p></o:p>

In Dilexi te, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the love of
Christ incarnated in acts of compassion - caring for the sick, opposing
slavery, defending women facing exclusion and violence, promoting education for
all, accompanying migrants, encouraging charitable giving, and striving for
equality.<o:p></o:p>

The Apostolic Exhortation, spread over five chapters and 121
numbered paragraphs, draws deeply from the Gospel of the Incarnate Son of God,
“Who became poor for our sake.” It also reaffirms the Church’s social teaching
of the past 150 years as “a veritable treasury of significant teachings” on the
dignity of the poor and the call to love in action.<o:p></o:p>

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