Memorial Symposium in Gorakhpur Honors the Gospel Witness of Bishop Dominic Kokkat

Uttar Pradesh, February 24, 2026: A shepherd remembered for his Christ-like compassion and tireless pastoral charity was honored as Fatima Hospital hosted the Shradhanjali Sabha and Bishop Dominic Memorial Health Care Symposium. The gathering brought together clergy, consecrated religious, healthcare professionals, civic leaders, and students to give thanks for the late bishop’s enduring ministry in healing, education, and social outreach across eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The memorial, held within an institution widely seen as a living expression of the bishop’s preferential love for the poor and the sick, drew participation from ecumenical and interreligious representatives alongside members of the faithful. The programme unfolded in a spirit of prayerful remembrance and ecclesial communion.

Addressing the assembly, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Kumar Srivastava reflected that true greatness is measured by how a life’s ideals continue to bear fruit in society. Fr. Dr. Santhosh Sebastian, Director of Fatima Hospital, described the symposium as an offering of gratitude for a bishop whose pastoral governance and social commitment advanced the Church’s healing mission in the region.

In a message conveyed through the diocesan curia, Bishop Mathew Nellikunnel recalled Bishop Dominic as an authentic witness to the compassion of Christ, who laid firm foundations for the local Church in attentive response to the needs of the People of God. Bishop Thomas Thuruthimattam highlighted the late prelate’s deep solidarity with the marginalized, presenting his life as a model of diakonia for clergy and laity alike. Civil society representatives and medical professionals also testified to his role in fostering social harmony and strengthening Catholic healthcare apostolates.

A documentary on the bishop’s life and episcopal ministry was screened, followed by readings from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian scriptures—an expression of the interreligious fraternity he consistently promoted. A solemn Pushpanjali concluded the tribute, uniting dignitaries, nursing faculty, students, and hospital staff in a gesture of reverent remembrance.

The symposium then turned to contemporary concerns in the ministry of healing, reflecting on hope as both a theological virtue and a clinical necessity. Presentations explored hope in patient accompaniment—especially in oncology care—and examined its psychological and spiritual dimensions in medical practice. An interactive session invited participants to consider how the Church’s healing mission can continue to radiate hope amid suffering.

By uniting prayer, remembrance, and professional reflection, the gathering reaffirmed Bishop Dominic Kokkat’s enduring legacy and underscored how his Gospel-inspired vision continues to guide Catholic healthcare and social service in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

By Catholic Connect Reporter