Bombay archdiocese to focus laity relations

(May 28, 2012) In India, the Archdiocese of Bombay is planning a consultation to seek ways to improve its relations with the laity. “We need to see if we are able to reach out to people the way we want to and check how we can reach them better if they have problems,” said Fr. Gilbert de Lima, coordinator of the working committee of the consultation. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay has called for the consultation which is expected to be held Nov. 14-16 at the St. Pius Seminary in Goregaon. The archdiocese has asked the Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science, run by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, to reach out to the community for a feedback. “Once their report is prepared, the Church will seek more data from priests,” he added.The consultation that meets once every ten years, aims to gauge the services of the Church and to seek feedback to take corrective measures and better reach the masses. The first consultation was held in 1980 for mostly priests. Later the lay people were included for a holistic approach. In 2001, the archdiocese extended its program through several activities that focused on family, youth and the marginalized sections. In 2006, it organized a mid-term consultation to introduce youth councils.