India Hosts First-Ever National Workshop on Interreligious and Ecumenical Ministry

Bangalore – 9 April 2025
In a deeply reflective and forward-looking initiative, the National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, hosted a national workshop on interreligious and ecumenical ministry on 8–9 April 2025 at NBCLC, Bangalore.

Marking a historic first, this workshop brought together more than sixty participants, comprising regional and diocesan directors entrusted with the mission of dialogue and unity across the Indian Church. The gathering focused on the Church’s theological, pastoral, and synodal approach to interfaith and ecumenical engagement in India.

The inaugural address was delivered by His Excellency Most Rev. Joseph Susainathan, Auxiliary Bishop of Bangalore. The keynote reflection was presented by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mor Ignathios, Bishop of Mavelikara and National Chairman of the CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism. In his address, Bishop Mor Ignathios drew from the rich Eastern ecclesial traditions and the vision of the Synod on Synodality to call for deeper communion not only within the Catholic Church, but also with our neighbours of different faiths and traditions.

Distinguished scholars and practitioners of dialogue served as resource persons, including Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthoniraj Thumma, national secretary of the CBCI Dialogue Desk, and Rev. Fr. Dr. Robin Shaya Seelan, secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) for Interreligious and Ecumenical Affairs.

On the first day, attention was given to the nuances and urgency of interreligious dialogue in the Indian context. Jesuit Fr. Arun Louis, director of Ashirvad Dialogue Centre, Bengaluru, moderated a panel discussion that included speakers from five major religious traditions, fostering a space for mutual understanding and common witness.

The second day addressed ecumenism with inputs from Rev. Dr. Jose Kizhakkekuttu CMI, assistant professor at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK), and Bishop Emeritus Surya Prakash of the Church of South India. Rev. Dr. Baptist Pius SVD, secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Commission for Ecumenism, moderated the session that reflected on synodality in ecumenical relations.

The Holy Qurbono was celebrated on both days—first by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mor Ignathios, and on the second day by His Grace Archbishop Peter Machado, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangalore.

Participants shared that they left the workshop with renewed conviction to engage with fellow Christians and those of other faiths, not simply in formal forums, but through everyday acts of dialogue, justice, and communion.

This national workshop not only underscored the Church’s fidelity to the Gospel of Christ but reaffirmed her calling in India—to be a humble presence that unites, listens, and journeys with all, for the sake of God’s reign of peace and mercy.