CBCI plenary assembly in Feb. 2014 in Palai

August 05, 2013 - The Catholic Bishops Conference of India, CBCI, will hold its plenary assembly in the diocese of Palai, Kerala, from 19-26 February, 2014. This was announced in a communique by CBCI Secretary General, Archbishop Albert D’Souza of Agra. The week-long bi-annual assembly is expected to bring together all the Bishops of India at the Alphonsian Pastoral Institute, Arunapuram. The CBCI, which is the apex body of the Catholic Church of India, was established in 1944. With 166 dioceses belonging to three rites - the Latin, the Syro-Malabar and the Syro- Malankara - the CBCI is the permanent association of India’s Catholic bishops, currently headed by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay. The plenary assembly, held every two years on a particular theme, reviews the situation and assesses the progress of the Church in India. “Renewed Church for a Renewed Society” – Responding to the Call of Vatican II,” is the theme of the 2014 plenary assembly. Besides the usual programmes of the Plenary Assembly, Holy Mass at the Shrine of St. Alphonsa and visit to the nearby important Churches and parishes in groups are also planned during the meeting. (Source: CBCI)