The Commission for Canon Law and Other Legislative Texts of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) officially inaugurated a one-year “Diploma Course in Canon Law for a Synodal Church” on June 7, 2025.
The program was strategically designed by Father Merlin Rengith Ambrose under the guidance of Bishop BishopAntonysamy, Chairperson of the Commission, to promote a more synodal and missionary Church in line with contemporary ecclesial priorities.
The launch of this program marks a significant step toward deepening the Church’s understanding and implementation of canon law in a synodal context. The course has received wide international interest, with 264 participants—including priests, religious, and lay faithful—from 14 countries, reflecting a strong global commitment to fostering ecclesial renewal.
During the inaugural ceremony, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, President of the CCBI, delivered the keynote address. He emphasized the vital role of the laity in the Church, particularly their involvement in the tria munera Christi—the teaching, sanctifying, and governing functions of Christ.
Following this, Father Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary-General of the CCBI, gave a felicitation address, praising the ongoing work of the Canon Law Commission and its contributions to the Church’s growth and mission in India.
The keynote address was delivered by Father Elias Frank, Bishop of Asansol, who pointed out the role of Canon Law in encouraging active lay participation and nurturing a deeper internalization of the Church’s teachings.
The event was coordinated and organized by Father Merlin Rengith Ambrose, who serves as the Executive Secretary of the Commission for Canon Law, Professor of Canon Law at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, and a member of the International Scientific Committee at the Pontifical Urban University. He will also serve as the program coordinator for the entire course.
This initiative is a major step in building a participatory Church rooted in canonical awareness and synodal values.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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