<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk221119877">Bengaluru, 4 February 2026, CBCI:
The 37th General Body Meeting (GBM) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
India (CBCI) was solemnly inaugurated on 4 February 2026 at St John’s National
Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, by His Grace Archbishop Leopoldo
Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal. Held under the theme <i>“Faith
and the Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision,”</i> the
gathering resonates deeply with the CBCI motto <i>“United in Witness.”</i>
Rooted 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 harmony in society. More than
200 bishops from 174 dioceses across the country have assembled for prayer,
reflection, and deliberation on matters of national and ecclesial significance.<o:p></o:p></a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The General Body
Meeting commenced 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, filled
with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. He urged the shepherds of the Church to be
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
Eucharist was concelebrated by senior Church leaders, including Archbishop Mar
Andrews Thazhath, President of the CBCI; Cardinal Filip Neri Ferrao President of
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.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The inaugural
session began at 11.00 a.m. with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, invoking
God’s blessings on the deliberations. The Archbishop of Bangalore, host of the
meeting, welcomed the gathering and highlighted that the theme reflects the
Church’s deep 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 enshrined
in the Preamble of the Constitution of India resonate deeply with the Church’s
social teachings. He noted that even amid contemporary challenges, the Church
continues to serve the nation through humane development and by contributing to
the moral conscience of society, calling upon Church leaders to seek new
pathways to live and practice faith in harmony with constitutional values.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Delivering the
Presidential Address, Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath stated that the Church
today stands at a critical juncture where conscience is tested and faith is
increasingly scrutinized in the public sphere. He described the theme as a
profound spiritual confession and public responsibility, calling the bishops to
be missionaries of hope and empowerment. Referring to emerging technologies,
particularly Artificial Intelligence, he emphasized the need to humanize
technology and ensure that the human person remains at the centre, urging the
Church to become “digital missionaries.” He further stressed the importance of
deepening the synodal journey, forming leaders for public life, and empowering
the laity, youth, and women.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">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 moment of silence in remembrance of the 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, outlined the
guidelines for the participants’ stay on the campus.<o:p></o:p></p>



<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

CBCI 37th General Body Meeting Opens in Bengaluru, Reaffirms Church’s Commitment to India’s Constitutional Vision

<p class="MsoNormal">Bengaluru, February 3, 2026 CBCI: The Catholic Bishops’
Conference of India (CBCI) will convene its 37th General Body Meeting from
February 4 to February 10, 2026, at St. John’s National Academy of Health
Sciences, Bengaluru. The biennial gathering will bring together Catholic
bishops and Church leaders from across the country to reflect on the Church’s
mission in contemporary India.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The General Body Meeting will be held under the theme “Faith
and the Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision,”
highlighting the Church’s commitment to constitutional values and
nation-building.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The assembly will begin on Wednesday, February 4, with the
Inaugural Holy Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. at St. John’s Auditorium. His Excellency
Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, will be the
Chief Guest for the inaugural session.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">In keeping with the theme, the meeting will feature special
sessions on the current socio-political context and constitutional values, with
inputs from eminent legal and academic experts, including former Supreme Court
Judge Mr. Justice K. M. Joseph and Prof. D. Dominic. The agenda also includes
presentations and discussions on reports from various CBCI offices and
commissions, two focused workshops addressing key challenges and possible
solutions, and elections of chairpersons of various CBCI offices as well as the
CBCI office bearers.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">A public function will be organised on February 9 to
felicitate distinguished Christians in recognition of their significant
contributions to society and the Church in India.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The General Body Meeting will conclude on February 10 with a
Valedictory Function and a press briefing at 3:30 p.m., followed by the release
of the Final Statement of the 37th CBCI General Body Meeting.<o:p></o:p></p>

CBCI to Hold 37th General Body Meeting in Bengaluru from February 4–10

<p class="MsoNormal">New Delhi, 1 February 2026, CBCI: The 37th General Body
Meeting (GBM) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) will be held
from 4 to 10 February 2026 at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences,
Bengaluru. This biennial gathering will bring together Catholic bishops from 174
dioceses across India for prayer, reflection, and deliberation on matters of
national and ecclesial importance.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The theme of the General Body Meeting, “Faith and the
Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision,” resonates
deeply with the CBCI’s motto, “United in Witness.” Rooted 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 harmony in society.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The Inaugural Holy Eucharist on 4 February will be presided
over by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, who
will also deliver the Inaugural Address during the opening ceremony at St.
John’s Auditorium. The Presidential Address will be delivered by Archbishop
Andrews Thazhath, President of the CBCI.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">During the week-long meeting, the bishops will engage in
in-depth discussions on the chosen theme, examining its ecclesial, social, and
political relevance, particularly in the current context marked by challenges
to constitutional values and increasing concerns over attacks on Christian
communities in different parts of the country.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The 37th CBCI General Body Meeting is being meticulously
prepared under the guidance of the leadership of the CBCI especially Rev. Dr. Mathew
Koyickal, Deputy secretary General CBCI, with active collaboration from various
CBCI offices and commissions and, along with the support of the officials of St.
John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, an institution managed by the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Calling upon the faithful across the nation, Archbishop
Andrews Thazhath has urged Catholics throughout India to pray for the
successful and fruitful conduct of the General Body Meeting, that it may
strengthen the Church’s witness to faith, unity, and the constitutional values
of the nation.<o:p></o:p></p>

37th CBCI General Body Meeting to Deliberate on Faith, Constitution, and National Responsibility

<div>New Delhi, January 31, 2026 CBCI: His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Udupi submitted by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, in accordance with Canon 401 §1 of the Code of Canon Law.</div><div><br></div><div>Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo was born on November 12, 1949, at Agrar, a small town in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. He was ordained a priest on May 5, 1977, for the Diocese of Mangalore. In the early years of his priestly ministry, he served as Assistant Parish Priest and Parish Priest in various parishes of the Diocese of Mangalore.</div><div><br></div><div>Subsequently, Bishop Lobo was appointed Director of the “CODP” and later entrusted with the responsibility of Episcopal Vicar of Kasaragod in Kerala. On March 20, 2000, he was ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Shivamoga by Archbishop Ignatius Paul Pinto of the Archdiocese of Bangalore.</div><div><br></div><div>After shepherding the Diocese of Shivamoga for 13 years, he was appointed as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi, where he provided dedicated pastoral leadership since its establishment.At present, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo serves as the Chairman of the CBCI National Office for Justice, Peace and Development.</div><div><br></div><div>The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India expresses its gratitude for his devoted service to the Church and prays for God’s continued blessings upon him as he steps down from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Udupi.</div><div><br></div>

Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo as Bishop of Udupi

<div>New Delhi, January 31, 2026 CBCI: His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Leslie Clifford D’Souza, a priest of the Diocese of Udupi, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi.</div><div><br></div><div>Rev. D’Souza currently serves as the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, Udupi. Born on August 19, 1962, in Uchila (Yermal), Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, he was ordained a priest on May 10, 1990.</div><div><br></div><div>He completed his seminary formation at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore (1982–1985), and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome (1986–1990). He also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Mysore and a Diploma in Depth Psychology and Formation from the Institute for Psychology and Formation, Bangalore. Furthering his academic pursuits, he earned a Licentiate in Theology from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and completed his Ph.D. in Moral Theology at the same university between 1997 and 2003.</div><div><br></div><div>Following his priestly ordination, Rev. D’Souza served as Assistant Parish Priest at Holy Rosary Church, Kundapur, Udupi (1990–1992), and at Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar, Mangalore (1992–1995). From 2003 to 2010, he was a Professor of Moral Theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.</div><div><br></div><div>He later served as Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pangla (2010–2017), and Our Lady of Rosary Church, Kallianpur (2017–2022). From 2022 to 2025, he was the Secretary of the Council of Priests and also served as an Advocate of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Diocese of Udupi. Since 2022, he has been the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Bishop-designate D’Souza is the Vicar Forane of the Shirva Deanery, Udupi, and a Member of the College of Consultors.</div><div><br></div>

Pope Leo XIV Appoints Rev. Leslie Clifford D’Souza as Bishop of Udupi

<p class="MsoNormal">New Delhi, 25 January 2026, CBCI:<i> </i>Mar Dominic Kokkat,
C.S.T., the founding Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Gorakhpur in Uttar
Pradesh, passed away on Sunday, 25 January 2026. He was 93. Funeral
arrangements will be announced later.<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Born on 23 February 1932 at Vaikom in Kerala, he was
baptized as Joseph and joined the Little Flower Congregation (C.S.T.) in 1953,
taking the religious name Dominic. He received his major seminary formation and
theological studies at the Papal Seminary, Kandy (Sri Lanka), and in Pune, and
was ordained a priest on 4 October 1960.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">During his priestly ministry, Mar Dominic Kokkat served his
congregation in several key roles, including Vice Rector of the C.S.T.
Philosophical Seminary, Alwaye; Principal of the Technical School, Alwaye; and
Mission Superior of the C.S.T. Mission in Punjab. He also served as Assistant
Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), New Delhi, from
1978 to 1982. He held a Diploma in Social Work from the Coady International
Institute, Canada.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">On 4 October 1984, he was ordained the first Bishop of the
newly established Diocese of Gorakhpur and was formally installed on 14 October
1984. Known for his deep concern for the poor and the marginalized, he
initiated several pastoral and social apostolates in the diocese, enabling the
downtrodden and neglected to find dignity and a rightful place in society.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Inspired by St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the charism
of his congregation, he founded the Congregation of the Little Sisters of St.
Thérèse (LST) in 1988. After shepherding the Diocese of Gorakhpur with
dedication and zeal, he became Bishop Emeritus in 2006.<o:p></o:p></p>

Mar Dominic Kokkat, First Bishop of Syro-Malabar Diocese of Gorakhpur, Passes Away at 93

<p class="MsoNormal">New Delhi, 24 January 2026, CBCI: &nbsp;Mar Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop of Thrissur
and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), has lodged a
formal complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Thrissur City, regarding a
serious case of cyber fraud and identity misuse.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">In his complaint, Archbishop Thazhath stated that unknown
individuals are fraudulently using his photograph while impersonating him under
different names and falsely claiming to hold senior positions such as Secretary
General or heads of offices associated with the CBCI. These impersonators have
reportedly been contacting priests, seminarians, religious, politicians, and
members of the general public.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">According to the complaint, the nature of these fraudulent
communications varies. In several instances, recipients were asked to share OTP
numbers received on their mobile phones. In other cases, they were invited to
join video conference links under the pretext of discussing CBCI-related
matters. There have also been reports of financial assistance being solicited
in the name of the CBCI.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Archbishop Thazhath categorically clarified that neither he
nor his office, nor any authorised office of the CBCI, has initiated or
approved such calls, messages, video conference links, or requests for
financial assistance. He noted that these acts amount to deliberate
impersonation, deception, and potential cyber fraud, causing serious confusion,
reputational damage, and posing risks to the safety and trust of the public.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">He further informed the police that the frequency of such
incidents is increasing and has attached screenshots of calls received by his
acquaintances as evidence.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Seeking urgent intervention, the CBCI President requested
the police to register the complaint, conduct a thorough investigation,
identify those responsible, and take appropriate legal action to prevent
further misuse of identity and protect the public from being deceived.<o:p></o:p></p>

CBCI President Files Complaint with Thrissur Police Over Cyber Fraud and Identity Misuse

<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">New Delhi, 22 January 2026, CBCI: </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';
font-size:12.0000pt;mso-font-kerning:1.0000pt;">The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has strongly condemned the heinous attack on a Christian pastor in Odisha, describing the incident as a grave act of violence and humiliation that strikes at the core of human dignity and religious freedom.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">The CBCI expressed deep anguish over reports that the pastor was forcibly made to eat cow dung, calling it an inhuman act that not only degrades an individual but also targets his faith. Such acts, the bishops said, have no place in a civilized and democratic society.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';
font-size:12.0000pt;mso-font-kerning:1.0000pt;">Demanding immediate and stringent action, the CBCI urged the authorities to identify and punish the perpetrators without delay and to ensure justice for the victim. The Conference affirmed its solidarity with the pastor and reiterated its commitment to standing with all victims of violence and discrimination.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';
font-size:12.0000pt;mso-font-kerning:1.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';
font-size:12.0000pt;mso-font-kerning:1.0000pt;">Appealing for peace and harmony, the CBCI called upon citizens across the country to reject violence in all its forms and to work together to uphold mutual respect, fraternity, and the constitutional values of India.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';
font-size:12.0000pt;mso-font-kerning:1.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';
font-size:12.0000pt;mso-font-kerning:1.0000pt;">&nbsp;</span></p>

CBCI News Highlights

CBCI 37th General Body Meeting Opens in Bengaluru, Reaffirms Church’s Commitment...

CBCI to Hold 37th General Body Meeting in Bengaluru from February 4–10

37th CBCI General Body Meeting to Deliberate on Faith, Constitution, and Nationa...

Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo as Bishop of Udupi

Pope Leo XIV Appoints Rev. Leslie Clifford D’Souza as Bishop of Udupi

Mar Dominic Kokkat, First Bishop of Syro-Malabar Diocese of Gorakhpur, Passes Aw...

CBCI President Files Complaint with Thrissur Police Over Cyber Fraud and Identit...

CBCI Condemns Heinous Attack on Pastor in Odisha, Demands Swift Justice