CCBI Holds First Regional Seminar on Synodal Implementation in Bangalore

Bangalore, May 19, 2026:In an effort to strengthen the implementation of Synodality at the grassroots level across dioceses, the first-ever CCBI Regional Seminar for Diocesan Synodal Teams on Synodal Implementation was held on May 19, 2026, at Paalana Bhavana, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Bangalore.

Sharing a brief note on the key tenets of the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality — Communion, Participation, and Mission — Fr. Christopher Vimalraj, Associate Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, clarified the basic intent of Synodality: to form all baptised Catholics into missionary disciples of Christ. He also presented the different sections of the Synodal Implementation Pathways document, which outlines roles, responsibilities, authorities, and opportunities.

The participants were organised into eight groups and guided through the Spiritual Conversation method to address questions related to faith formation in their respective dioceses, as well as the functioning and activities of the Diocesan Synodal Teams. The outputs from the individual groups were later presented to the larger gathering for further discussion and action.

A total of 43 participants, including Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore and Auxiliary Bishops Arokiyaraj Satis Kumar and Joseph Susainathan, also of Bangalore, along with 18 priests, 6 religious women, 8 lay women, and 8 lay men from the Karnataka Regional Bishops’ Conference, participated in the programme.

The participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to reflect, share, and collaborate, and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the implementation of Synodality in their respective dioceses.

By Raja Shanmugam