(February 08, 2012) Nearly 100 Catholic diocesan priests assembled in Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh, India on Wednesday to discuss the issue of celibacy. Addressing the priests,
Archbishop Emeritus Pascal Topno said diocesan priests are the real leaders of the
Church and they have to act accordingly to promote the kingdom values. “Celibacy is
the highest expression of discipleship and this is your strength to be united with
Christ,” he said in his keynote address. Earlier, inaugurating the three-day Conference
of Diocesan Priests of India (CDPI) meeting, its president Fr Francis Scaria said
that CDPI has become a voice of the diocesan priests. However, he regretted that there
was an “uncalled for sense of competition” among priests and urged them to get out
of such “individual interests” to promote the Church and its values. The meeting assumes
significance in view of the strong opposition from the Bishops in Madhya Pradesh against
the activities of the CDPI after it demanded a dignified remuneration for the priests
in the state and a uniform transfer policy. The three-day session will also hold
the first general body meeting of the CDPI Madhya Pradesh chapter.