National Synodal Assembly to Shape Future Mission of the Church in India

New Delhi 21 April 2026 - The Catholic Church in India will convene a National Synodal Assembly from 1–3 May 2026 in Bangalore. The assembly will be held in Bangalore and will carry the theme “Synodal Pilgrims of Hope.” The gathering seeks to advance the implementation of synodality in the life and mission of the Church in India.

The initiative is part of the global synodal process launched in 2021 by Pope Francis. The worldwide consultation invited the entire Church to reflect on how the People of God walk together in communion, participation and mission. In India, the process has been carried forward through consultations at diocesan, regional and national levels.

About 220 leaders of the Church will participate in the National Synodal Assembly. The participants include 2 Cardinal 25 bishops, 66 priests, 20 religious sisters 49 women leaders, 43 laymen leaders and 15 youth leaders from various regions of the country. Their participation reflects the effort to strengthen the role of the laity and promote wider involvement of the People of God in the life of the Church. Among the 220 delegates 107 lay persons.

A major milestone in this process was the publication of the CCBI Pastoral Plan in 2024 titled “Journeying Towards a Synodal Church: Mission 2033.” The document calls for pastoral renewal through deeper communion, shared responsibility and a renewed missionary spirit.

Further direction emerged from the 36th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI, held from 28 January to 4 February 2025 in Bhubaneswar. The assembly adopted a final document titled “Pilgrims of Hope: Discerning the Synodal Path,” which outlined sixteen pastoral priorities to guide the Church in India in the practice of synodality.

From these priorities, four themes have been selected for deeper reflection during the National Synodal Assembly. The first theme focuses on interreligious dialogue and peace building. In a country marked by religious diversity, the Church seeks to promote mutual respect, understanding and collaboration with followers of other faiths.

The second theme addresses the inclusion of the excluded. Inspired by the Gospel and the social teaching of the Church, the assembly will reflect on ways to accompany those who remain on the margins of society and sometimes within Church life.

The third theme deals with poverty and integral ecology. Drawing inspiration from Laudato Si’, the Church aims to respond to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth through pastoral initiatives that promote justice, sustainability and care for creation.

The fourth theme focuses on accompanying children and youth. In the spirit of Christus Vivit, the Church seeks to listen to young people, support their growth in faith and encourage their participation in the mission of the Church.

The assembly will adopt the method of spiritual conversation, widely used in the synodal process of the universal Church. The method promotes prayerful listening, reflection and communal discernment guided by the Holy Spirit.

The National Synodal Assembly will also review the progress of synodal implementation in India since 2021. At the same time, it will look ahead to the future mission of the Church, with particular attention to becoming more participatory, inclusive and missionary.

The discussions will also look ahead to the Jubilee year 2033, which will mark two thousand years of the mystery of Redemption. In this context, the assembly will reflect on the future direction of the Church in India and explore how its pastoral vision can respond to contemporary challenges.

Participants will examine how the CCBI Pastoral Plan can be translated into practical pastoral actions at diocesan, regional and national levels. Special attention will be given to strengthening collaboration among bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful and to expanding the participation of women and young people in the mission of the Church.

The synodal journey will continue beyond the May assembly. A wider consultation with key stakeholders of the Church will take place from 12 to 14 September 2026. This phase will gather additional reflections from pastoral leaders and reflect on the reorganisation of the CCBI Commissions.

The outcomes of these consultations will be presented to the 38th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI scheduled from 18 to 26 January 2027 in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu. The bishops will study the recommendations and take the final pastoral decisions regarding the implementation of the synodal vision in the Church in India.

Through prayer, dialogue and shared discernment, the National Synodal Assembly seeks to strengthen the commitment of the Church in India to walk together as the People of God, witnessing to the Gospel as synodal pilgrims of hope.

Dr. Stephen Alathara