CBCI 37th GBM: Catholic body reaffirms commitment to India's constitutional values
Bengaluru: The 37th General Body Meeting (GBM) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) was inaugurated on February 4, 2026, at St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences in Bengaluru by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal.
Organised under the theme “Faith and the Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision,” the gathering reflects the CBCI motto “United in Witness.”
Grounded in the Gospel and inspired by the love of Christ, the CBCI continues its mission of strengthening faith, fostering unity among India’s diverse communities, and promoting justice, peace, and social harmony.
More than 200 bishops representing 174 dioceses from across the country have assembled for prayer, reflection, and deliberation on matters of national and ecclesial importance. The General Body Meeting began at 9.00 a.m. with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration, during which Rev. Dr. Mathew Koyickal, Deputy Secretary General of the CBCI, welcomed the participants.
The principal celebrant, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, in his homily, called upon the bishops to be the light and salt of the earth, enriched with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. He urged the shepherds of the Church to remain joyful, kind, faithful, and humble servants in the Lord’s mission, witnessing Christ’s human love through outreach to the poor and the marginalized.
The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by senior Church leaders, including Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, President of the CBCI; Cardinal Filip Neri Ferrao, President of the CCBI; His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church; Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Church; Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay; Archbishop George Antonysamy, Vice-President I; Archbishop Joseph Mar Thomas, Vice-President II; and Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Secretary General of the CBCI.
The inaugural session commenced at 11.00 a.m. with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, invoking God’s blessings on the deliberations. The Archbishop of Bangalore, the host of the meeting, welcomed the gathering and noted that the chosen theme reflects the Church’s deep-rooted commitment to the values enshrined in the Constitution of India. Archbishop George Antonysamy read out the message of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.
In his inaugural address, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli conveyed the Apostolic Blessings of the Holy Father and observed that the ideals expressed in the Preamble of the Constitution of India resonate strongly with the Church’s social teachings. He noted that despite contemporary challenges, the Church continues to serve the nation through humane development and by contributing to the moral conscience of society, urging Church leaders to seek new ways to live and practise faith in harmony with constitutional values.
Delivering the Presidential Address, Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath stated that the Church stands at a critical moment where conscience is being tested and faith is increasingly examined in the public sphere. He described the theme as both a profound spiritual confession and a public responsibility, calling upon bishops to be missionaries of hope and empowerment.
Referring to emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, he stressed the need to humanise technology and ensure that the human person remains at the centre, urging the Church to become “digital missionaries.” He also emphasised the importance of deepening the synodal journey, forming leaders for public life, and empowering the laity, youth, and women.
The Biennial Report of the CBCI, covering the period from February 2024 to January 2026, was presented by Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto. On the occasion, thirty-one newly appointed bishops were felicitated by the Apostolic Nuncio with a shawl and memento, followed by a solemn observance of silence in memory of bishops who had passed away.
Messages from Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, and Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, were read out. The session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Archbishop Joseph Mar Thomas, Vice-President II of the CBCI, after which Rev. Fr. Jesudoss Rajamanickam, Director of St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, briefed the participants on guidelines for their stay on the campus.
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Malayalam film director Ranjith remanded in sexual assault case; FEFKA takes action
Kochi (PTI): A court here on Wednesday sent noted Malayalam film director Ranjith to judicial custody after he was arrested late last night in connection with an attempted sexual assault case.
Following his remand, the director claimed that the accusations against him were "false" and that he would be able to prove it.
He made the claim before reporters while being taken inside the sub-jail here.
Even as the director claimed innocence, state Culture Minister Saji Cherian indicated that the government and the police were with the victim, and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) recommended suspension of Ranjith's membership from the directors and writers unions.
The police said that the victim was "traumatised" by the incident and had to undergo counselling and psychiatric treatment before she could come forward with the complaint.
Kochi City Police Commissioner S Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said that a Special Investigation Team was formed after recording the victim's statement, and then the allegations were discreetly verified before moving forward with the arrest.
"It should not happen to any woman, especially at the workplace," he told reporters here.
The officer also said that the director had attempted to remove himself from the area.
Kumar also said that the biggest challenge before the police was to maintain the confidentiality of the case and protect the identity of the victim.
He also said that there were several witnesses to the alleged sexual assault, as the incident happened on a shooting set.
The officer said that the evidence collection was progressing, and the director's custody will be sought when required.
FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan told reporters here that there was no complaint made to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in connection with the incident.
FEFKA is an association of several craft unions in the Malayalam film industry.
Ranjith was taken into custody from the Idukki district on Tuesday evening, and subsequently, his arrest was recorded.
He was produced at the residence of a magistrate here in the morning and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
The case against Ranjith was registered by Kochi City Police a few days ago based on the victim's complaint.
Earlier in the day, Cherian told reporters that "such acts will not be accepted by the government or the society" and that the government and the police were with the victim.
Ranjith was appointed as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy in 2022 and resigned from the post in 2024.
The minister said that the director was appointed to the post because he was qualified for it, and at that time, there were no such allegations against him.
"He carried forward the academy in a good way. When such allegations came up earlier, he had left the position. We are viewing the repetition of the same allegations against him seriously. Neither the police nor the government is protecting him," he said.
He said that the quick action taken against the director is an outcome of the recent changes in the movie sector, including holding of the cinema conclave and the state film policy.
"Let the investigation take its course," he added.
The minister also said that anyone in the film sector having similar bad experiences can come forward with a complaint and stand firm on it, as the government will be with them.
According to the police, the woman actor alleged that the director had invited her to a caravan during the shooting of a film and attempted to sexually assault her.
Ranjith had earlier faced allegations of sexual harassment following revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry.
In 2024, a case was registered against Ranjith after a Bengali actress filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police Commissioner.
The complaint, sent via email, alleged that Ranjith had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the film Paleri Manikyam in 2009.
