Card. Baldisseri addresses the Bishops in India

The 29th Plenary Assembly of Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) commenced with solemn Eucharistic celebration in the Assumption Church, Asha Niketan Campus Bhopal, India on Tuesday.

The Theme of this assembly is “Promoting the Joy of Love in Our Families”. The Bishops  will chalk out detailed programmes and action plans to revitalize the family apostolate at the diocesan and parish levels.

More than 130 Bishops of the 182 Latin rite bishops in the country are participating in the 8 day deliberations on the issues concerning Families in Asia with a special focus on India.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the main celebrant in his opening address, called for revitalizing the families in view of the call given by Pope Francis. 

A grand inaugural function was held in St. Joseph Co-ed School auditorium. On this occasion all the newly appointed Bishops were honoured with floral greetings.

The second day of the assembly began with serious reflections on parental responsibilities by His Eminence Lorenzo Cardinal Baldisseri from Vatican, the Secretary General, Synod of Bishops.

Recollecting the past memories of India as its Apostolic Nuncio from 1999 to 2002, His Eminence called India, a blessed land.

In his message during the Eucharistic celebration Card. Baldisseri said, “A father does not “educate” his children by always saying ‘yes’; indeed it is sometimes necessary to say ‘no’ to help the child grow and improve.”

“Being a father is a difficult and demanding job.” With reference to Pope Francis, the Cardinal reminded the fathers of the families not to neglect their children’s upbringing. They must exert themselves in ‘making time’ for their children.

Reflecting on the Bible readings of the day the cardinal pointed out to the meaning of human sufferings permitted by God.  “Promoting the Joy of Love in our Families” was the central point of the keynote address of the Cardinal.

He strongly exhorted Bishops, priests and pastoral workers to create a renewed enthusiasm in family ministry.  Citing Pope Francis he said: “Today there is a world war to destroy marriage. Today there are ideological colonisations which destroy, not with weapons, but with ideas.”

Amoris Laetitia, the Apostolic Exhortation on families, is a gift of Pope Francis to families during the Jubilee of Mercy. Its contents, therefore, provide a basis for all pastoral activity on behalf of families and for Promoting the Joy of Love in Families.

A cultural programme was held in the evening at the St. Joseph Co-ed School Auditorium to welcome the CCBI participants and also to accord a special welcome and honour to the ‘Guests’ from the Vatican and the Nunciature.  A dance drama based on the life of St. Mother Theresa was presented on the occasion. (CCBI)