Leaders of major Christian denominations in India came together on September 11, 2025, for the Third National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship Meeting at the CBCI Centre, New Delhi. The gathering, facilitated by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, aimed to strengthen fellowship among church leaders and advance the ecumenical movement in the country.
A key focus of the meeting was the discussion on the draft guidelines for the National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI), envisioned as a common platform to promote unity, dialogue, and collaboration among Christian communities nationwide.
The session opened with an ecumenical prayer service for Christian unity, led by Bishop Gerald Mathias of Lucknow. The liturgy, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, was based on resources jointly prepared by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches. The theme for 2025 was drawn from John 11:26: “Do you believe this?”
After a review of the previous year’s proceedings by fellowship coordinator Fr. Dr. Anthoniraj Thumma, the keynote address was delivered by Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, chairman of the CBCI Office for Dialogue. He presented the background and vision behind the draft guidelines of the NFCI, which were then discussed in an open forum. Participants welcomed the draft as comprehensive, offering constructive suggestions for refinement.
In his closing remarks, CBCI President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath stressed the urgency of Christian unity in India, especially in light of increasing attacks on Christians by communal forces. “This is the need of the hour, to project a united Christian face and speak with one voice,” he said.
The meeting ended with prayer and benediction by Fr. Daniel Thomas, Vicar General of the Delhi Diocese of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Participants later joined the Prabhu Jesu Mahotsav, part of the National Ecumenical Jubilee 2025, which celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and highlighted the Nicene Creed as a symbol of shared Christian faith.
With inputs from Fr Anthoniraj Thumma,National Secretary, CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, India)
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