Diocese of Allahabad Gathers Clergy and Laity to Strengthen Parish life And Evangelization

Prayagraj, October 28, 2025 — The Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Allahabad (PCDA) gathered at St. Joseph’s College, Prayagraj in Allahabad for a diocesan-level assembly focused on strengthening parish communities for mission and evangelization. The event, attended by around 145 clergy, religious and lay faithful, was held under the theme “Journeying Together in Faith and Mission: Strengthening Parish Communities for Evangelization.”

Bishop Louis Mascarenhas presided over the gathering and, in his welcome address, reminded the participants that “the Church is not a structure but a living community” and called on all parish leaders to make their communities vibrant, participatory and missionary.

The programme began with a devotional prayer dance by nurses from Nazareth Hospital, followed by the lighting of the lamp, scripture proclamation and a hymn invoking the Holy Spirit.

The main input session was delivered by Fr. A. Sebastian, Rector of St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary and Secretary of the CBCI Commission for Theology and Doctrine. He presented the key insights of the four major documents of Vatican II — Dei Verbum, Lumen Gentium, Sacrosanctum Concilium and Gaudium et Spes — declared for study during the Jubilee Year 2025. He explained their relevance to parish mission today and offered practical guidance to strengthen evangelization at the grassroots.

The day’s reflection was spiritually centred in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, led by Bishop Mascarenhas and concelebrated by priests of the diocese.

Reports from the four deanery zones summarised parish-level initiatives from the past year, highlighting a spirit of communion and cooperative mission.

Diocese of Allahabad Gathers Clergy and Laity to Strengthen Parish life And Evangelization

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