Synodality Requires Personal Conversion and Shared Responsibility, Says Archbishop Elias Frank

JALPAIGURI, November 12, 2026: Synodality requires personal conversion, humility and the active participation of all the baptised in the Church’s mission, Archbishop Elias Frank of Kolkata said at the annual conference of the Bengal Region Bishops’ Council (BRBC), Conference of Religious India (CRI) and Conference of Diocesan Priests of India (CDPI).

Presiding over the Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Frank called on Church leaders and religious to fulfil their responsibilities with sincerity and dedication, without seeking recognition, appreciation or immediate results.

“All of us have been called to live our lives responsibly,” he said, urging participants to embrace their mission as servants of the Gospel.

The Eucharistic celebration was accompanied by hymns rendered by the local choir.

A session on synodality, led by resource person Fr Christopher Vimalraj, focused on personal conversion as essential to building a synodal Church.

He said synodality demands a transformation of hearts, attitudes and approaches, enabling the Church to move forward through listening, dialogue, participation and shared responsibility.

Highlighting the common vocation of all the baptised, Fr Bimalraj urged participants to give greater importance to Baptism rather than viewing the Church’s mission primarily through the lens of ordination.

Every baptised person, he said, is called to proclaim the Gospel, making evangelisation the shared responsibility of the entire People of God rather than the task of a select few.

He concluded by urging participants to translate the spirit of synodality into practice through personal conversion and active involvement in the Church’s mission.

By Catholic Connect Reporter