Seminary Students Gain Practical Exposure to CCBI Pastoral Plan in Udupi

UDUPI, July 29, 2026: Eighteen theology students from across India received practical exposure to the implementation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CCBI) Pastoral Plan during a two-day Seminar-cum-Exposure Programme held at Anugraha, the Pastoral Centre of the Diocese of Udupi, on July 27 and 28.

The programme was organised for fourth-year theology students of St Joseph’s Inter-diocesan Seminary, Mangaluru, with the aim of familiarising future priests with the vision, structure and practical implementation of the CCBI Pastoral Plan at diocesan and parish levels.

The programme was led by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi, Emeritus Bishop of Udupi and Chairman of the CCBI Pastoral Plan Implementation Committee.

The seminar included sessions on the Church’s call for a pastoral plan, the process of developing and implementing the CCBI Pastoral Plan and “Jesus’ Plan” as a model for pastoral ministry. The students also participated in interactive sessions with directors of diocesan commissions and members of various pastoral commissions.

Fr Stephen D’Souza, Chancellor of the Diocese of Udupi and Coordinator of the diocesan commissions, explained how the CCBI Pastoral Plan is being translated into concrete pastoral initiatives through various diocesan commissions and ministries.

As part of the exposure programme, the seminarians visited St Francis Assisi Church, Tallur, where Parish Priest Fr Edwin D’Souza presented the implementation of the Pastoral Plan at the parish level through 22 parish commissions.

The visit provided the students with practical insights into the collaborative functioning of parish commissions and their contribution to the Church’s pastoral mission. The participants also interacted with diocesan commission directors and parish council members, gaining first-hand knowledge of pastoral initiatives and the processes involved in implementing the plan.

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo personally coordinated and guided the programme, encouraging the seminarians to embrace the CCBI Pastoral Plan as a framework for participatory and mission-oriented pastoral ministry.

The programme sought to prepare future priests to engage actively in collaborative pastoral leadership and to translate the Church’s pastoral vision into concrete action at the diocesan and parish levels.

By Catholic Connect Reporter