Symposium on the Jubilee Year Held at regional seminary in Prayagraj, U.P.

Prayagraj, U.P., Sept. 2, 2025 — St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Prayagraj, hosted a symposium on the theme “The Relevance of the Jubilee Year 2025 in Today’s Context” on August 23 at the seminary campus. Chaired by Bp. Dr. Louis Mascarenhas, Bishop of Allahabad and Chairman of the Seminary, the event aimed to reflect on the jubilee year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, and its significance in today’s fractured world.

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Moderated by Fr. Leo Sequeira of the Diocese of Allahabad, the event featured papers presented by four students—two Catholic scholastics from St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary and two from other Christian denominations studying at Allahabad Bible Seminary—who explored various dimensions of the symposium's theme.

Bro. Joseph Thomas Karickal from St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary delivered the first session of the day titled “Jubilee Year 2025: A Message of Justice and Peace in a Fractured World”. In his talk, he highlighted various global and national issues that divide humanity and emphasised how Christians can serve as mediators of healing and hope through practical acts of justice and peace.

Representing the Evangelical Church, Mr. Simon Periyar addressed the topic “Suffering: A Christian Response to Religious Persecution in Today’s India”. In his presentation, he underscored the importance of steadfast faith in the midst of persecution.

Bro. Melvin Norohna, from St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, spoke on “Jubilee as a Prophetic Call to Healing and Solidarity in Times of Crisis”. He highlighted the challenges of living as Christians in contemporary India and emphasised the need for solidarity, reconciliation, and prophetic witness.

The final session of the day was delivered by Mr. P. H. Chingkheinganba from the CNI Church, on the topic “The Teachings of Jesus on Tolerance”. In his talk, he emphasised the importance of loving everyone and forgiving and praying for one’s persecutors. He underlined that the gospel message of tolerance is an urgent necessity, particularly in today’s increasingly divided society.

In his presidential address, Bishop Mascarenhas expressed concern over religious persecution in India, noting that priests, pastors, nuns, and believers often face harassment for their faith. He called on Christians to remain strong, uphold Kingdom values, and courageously bear witness to the truths of the Gospel.

The symposium proved to be an enriching and inspiring experience for all the attendees. It helped them to reflect more deeply on their vocation as Christians to be “pilgrims of hope” and “beacons of peace” in a world marked by suffering, injustice, and division. The reflections presented during the event served as a reminder to all that the Jubilee Year 2025 is not only a celebration of tradition but also a prophetic call to renewal: to embrace justice, forgiveness, fraternity, and hope, and to work for a society where dignity, peace, and harmony flourish.

Symposium on the Jubilee Year Held at regional seminary in Prayagraj, U.P.

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