1. Golden jubilee of Vatican II: Our Journey of Faith in the Year of Faith
“The Church is not an archaeological museum, but the ancient fountain which satisfies the thirst of the generation
of today as she did that of the generations of the past.” These were the words of Pope John XXIII at the beginning
of the Second Vatican Council and which still holds its importance as Bishop Agnelo Gracias in his introductory
speech emphasized on the Church’s development in its doctrine since Vatican II.
The National Symposium by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India Commission for Doctrine, a three day
event celebrating the 50 golden years of Vatican II and its journey from Vatican II to Lumen Fidei was held from
October 25th
– 27th
at St. Pius X College, Goregaon. The symposium was organized by Fr. Stephen Fernandes and
Bishop Agnelo Gracias was the chairperson for the same.
The first day saw the hall at St. Pius X College, packed with an enthusiastic multitude that had come to witness the
array of activities awaiting the evening. After Bishop Agnelo’s introductory speech, Bishop John Rodrigues, present
rector of the college gave a welcome talk wherein in he gave special thanks to Bishop Agnelo and Fr. Stephen and
all other visiting professors at the seminary for their constant support. This was followed by a prayer dance
beautifully presented by St. Catherine’s Home Children, Andheri. After reading the message of Cardinal Peter
Kodwo Turkson, President, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Vatican City, The Apostolic Nuncio, His
Excellency Most reverend Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio gave the inaugural address. The lighting of the candle,
a symbolic act soon ensued followed by Cardinal Oswald Gracias’ detailed speech on The New Evangelization
process and the significance of Vatican II and all that followed thereafter. A special talk on the church as
Communion and the Church’s journey from Lumen Gentium to Ecclesia in Asia was given by His Grace Archbishop
Felix Machado, Chairperson, CBCI Office for Interreligious Dialogue and Chairpersonn, CCBI Commission for
Ecumenism.
Understanding the plight of women in today’s modern age, the need was felt for women’s issues and its stand in
the Catholic Church and therefore, Sister Daphne Sequeira, RSCJ was called upon to shed light on the role of
women in Church and Society. Special reference was made to the Gender Policy (2010) adopted by the Catholic
Church. The core of Vatican II and the Church’s duty of serving the poor were emphasized upon by our next
speaker, Rev. Fr. Nithiya Sayagam, OFM CAP.
The last event for the day was a cultural program organized by Cardinal Paul Poupard Foundation, Chair of Inter-
Religious and Inter- Cultural Dialogue, St. Andrew’s College, Bandra, Mumbai. The first day thus ended with dinner.
The second day was packed with sessions and discussions but started with Morning Prayer and mass at 7 in the
morning with His Grace Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi as the main celebrant. At the end of each session, questions
came from the audiences to the speakers thus making these sessions interactive and not just a one way
communication. The preceding session for this day was a talk on Jesus Christ, The Guiding Light for Everyone in
Society, From Lumen Fidei. The chairperson for the talk was Rev. Sr. Ananda Amritmahal, RSCJ, the principal of
Sophia’s College, Mumbai. Rev. Dr. Jacob Parappally, MSFS gave a dynamic talk on the same. Session II was a panel
discussion on Inter religious Dialogue in the context of Religious Pluralism. Archbishop Anil Cuoto was the
chairperson for the panel discussion whereas the panelists included Rev. Sr. Dr. Teresa Joseph, FMA (Christian
Perspective), Dr. Kala Acharya (Hindu Perspective) and Mr. Zuhair Nathani (Islamic Perspective). All the three
panelists objectively presented their thoughts and beliefs and stressed upon the dire need of a peaceful dialogue
in the face of growing animosity between different communities. Rev. Dr. Errol D’Lima, SJ was the speaker for the
next session on The Role of Laity in Transforming Society: From Apostolic Actuositatem to Collaboration of Men
and Women in the Church and the World. After lunch, a workshop was organized for the purpose of discussion on

2. the five main concerns of the Indian Church vis-a-vis Catholic Social Teaching. The five topics were namely fight
against poverty with special reference to the Food Security Bill, Human Rights’ Violations, in particular Violence
against women, The phenomenon of Suicide, appropriate use of the Social Means of Communication and lastly
Care for creation. These were divided among 28 groups which then led to the formation of a report on each of the
topics which were discussed in the session following the workshop. The chairperson for this reporting session was
Sr. Hazel D’Lima DHM.
The last session for the day was on challenges faced by the Catholic Education with Rev. Dr. Prakash Louis, SJ and
Dr. Marie Fernandes, Principal of St. Andrews College, Bandra as the speakers and Dr. Ms. Elaine Charles was the
chairperson. This session brought out interesting insights regarding the concept of education and the Archdiocesan
Board of Education in general. What followed next was a beautiful biographic representation of the life of Mother
Teresa in Song and Dance. The entire play was directed by Rev. Fr. Charles Vas, SVD with actors from the Sangeet
Abhinav Academy bringing Mother Teresa and her unconditional love for humanity to life.
A tiring day thus came to an end but a lot awaited for everyone the next morning. After many discussions, talks
and entertainment, we had come to the concluding hours of the Symposium. The day started with Morning Prayer
and the mass was celebrated by Bishop Agnelo Gracias. The following session was headed by Rev Fr. Allwyn D’silwa
and the speaker for the same was the very famous and dynamic social activist, Fr. Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit, who’s
won numerous accolades at both the national and International level. Evangelization in the context of today’s
increasingly threatening world was the topic of discussion at the next session chaired by Ms. Luz Maria Engineer.
The speaker was Rev Dr. Augustine Kanjamala, SVD. The next thing on the list was a topic which remains neglected
in today’s age of scientific development running at the speed of light. Surrogacy and Test Tube Babies was the
topic of this panel discussion where the panelists included Dr. Pascoal Carvalho, to explain the medical aspects of
Surrogacy and test tube babies, Rev. Sr. Annie Fernandes, SHM, to explain the pastoral options for childless
couples, Senior Adv. J.F. Reis, to explain the legal concerns of surrogate motherhood and Rev. Fr. Matthew
Coutinho, SDB, who talked about the Catholic teaching with respect to these artificial methods of producing
babies. A lot of information was passed on during this discussion and at the end, interesting questions popped up.
The Symposium now finally came to an end. The closing session included the presentation of the concluding
statement by Bishop Agnelo Gracias which summed up all that was conveyed through the Vatican Council II and
the Challenges of our Journey of Faith in the 21st
Century. The vote of thanks was given by Fr. Stephen Fernandes,
the pillar behind the organization and execution of the Symposium who is also the Executive Secretary, CCBI
Commission for Doctrine and Theology. The society of Helpers of Mary presented the final Thanksgiving Dance. A
special prayer for the Poor and Victims of Injustice was read out remembering Servant of God, Cardinal François-
Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. Bishop Agnelo Gracias after giving his final message lead the crowd towards the
concluding lunch.
The three day National Symposium was thus a culmination of multiple efforts put in by multiple people. The event
was a success and duly brought about important questions and answers related to concerns of the modern world.
We hope this Symposium produces fruitful results and the words of the leaders will be put into practice in the days
to come.