Over 1.000 priests to gather in Vailankanni, India

(Feb.03,2010): More than 1.000 Catholic priests from dioceses across India, are expected to attend a National Congress of priests next week in Vailankanni, the Marian shrine in southern India’s Tamilnadu State. The February 9-11 Congress is organised by the Commission for priests of the Latin-rite Bishops Conference. However, priests of all three rites, including the Syro-Malabar and Syro Malankara and also Religious priests, are invited to the Congress, according to Commission’s secretary Fr.Arul Kulandhai. He said the congress was planned last May to mark the Year for priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI June 19, 2009.
Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Clergy is scheduled to attend the 3-day congress. Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay is also expected. In seminars and discussions, the congress plans to discuss themes such as faithfulness and fidelity of priests and challenges priests face in daily life.