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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
We have allowed some ships: Iranian envoy Fathali on passage of vessels via Strait of Hormuz
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, Iranian ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Saturday said Iran has "allowed some ships" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic trade route.
He, however, did not specify the number of vessels that have been allowed to pass through.
During an interactive session held at the India Today Conclave 2026, Fathali was asked if Iran has "allowed passage to Indian ships" stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and for how many days, given the looming LPG shortage, and the series of telephonic conversations between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
"Yes, we have allowed, but let me not tell how many," he said.
ALSO READ: Curfew relaxed in Meghalaya's Garo Hills for church services
During the session, Fathali made the remarks largely in Persian, which was interpreted in English by Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy in India.
As several India-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Fathali on Friday had told reporters that "we will try our best" to resolve the issue.
Earlier in the day, a senior official in the shipping ministry said two Indian ships -- Shivalik and Nanda Devi -- carrying LPG from the Gulf countries crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning, raising the number of Indian vessels safely passing through the war-hit, narrow shipping lane to three.
The remaining 22 ships on the west side of the strait are on standby as the Indian government engages with governments in the region to ensure their safe passage.
India imports 60 per cent of its LPG needs, with 85-90 per cent of this being sourced from Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which use the Strait of Hormuz as a transit for shipping oil and gas. The strait has been effectively closed since the first week of March.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic narrow sea lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
During the interactive session, Fathali also emphasised that Iran and India have historical relations, and added, "I believe Iran and India also have common interests."
"I also believe if there is any rift or gap between these two countries, their enemies will use it... Both sides have the maturity that they can handle these political and social issues together and solve everything," he said.
He was also asked about the phone call on Thursday night between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which they discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
"We are now supporting each other," Fathali said, and asserted that Indians also feel the pain Iranians are suffering. "We have to enhance the relationship between India and Iran.
The Iranian envoy, when asked if the country anticipated such an attack, said, "Iran is ready for negotiations and the war. But we prefer negotiations... We had entered into negotiations. But, despite well intentions..."
Fathali said Iran is "ready for this war", and reiterated that "you can start, but you cannot finish".
The West Asia conflict began after the US and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran on February 28, killing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran, in retaliation, attacked several Gulf nations hosting American military bases, impacting global aviation operations, oil prices and triggering a looming energy crisis.
On the killing of Khamenei, the envoy said, "We have lost our great figure, our great leader, and I want to say that... great father."
"His Eminence stood on the right side of history... Iranian people and all free nations are deeply saddened over this martyrdom," he added.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in India, in a post on X, on Saturday said, "Following repeated requests from charitable and benevolent members among our Indian brothers and sisters to provide humanitarian assistance to Iranian compatriots affected by the ongoing war, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi hereby announces the following bank account number for the deposit of intended cash donations."
"Bank Account Name: Embassy of Iran Bank Account Number: 11084232535 IFS Code: SBIN0000691 If you wish, you may also send the screenshot or payment receipt via WhatsApp to: +91 98998 12318," it said.
