TCBC Health Commission Strengthens Diocesan Healthcare Mission Through Regional Training

Kurnool, September 21, 2026: Strengthening the Church’s healthcare mission through better coordination, networking and pastoral planning, the TCBC Commission for Health conducted a training programme for Diocesan Health Commission Secretaries from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at Jeevasudha Pastoral Centre, Kurnool, on 13 September 2026. Around 25 participants took part in the programme.

The training focused on strengthening the functioning of diocesan health commissions and their links with regional and national healthcare networks. It addressed the responsibilities of diocesan health commission secretaries, pastoral planning, healthcare networking, data collection, mental-health awareness and safeguarding of minors and vulnerable adults.

Bishop Johannes Gorantla of Kurnool outlined the purpose of the gathering, addressing the 2025 Synod, upcoming pastoral reforms and the strategic activation of diocesan commissions. He highlighted the establishment of family units, parish pastoral councils and parish finance committees across parishes, as well as the need for every commission to prepare annual and triennial strategic plans aligned with diocesan priorities.

Bishop Gorantla also outlined new initiatives of the Health Commission, including recurring medical services, health cards, medical camps, awareness programmes and stronger institutional collaborations. He also explained the responsibilities of the diocesan health commission secretary.

The training emphasised the need for diocesan health commissions to maintain active communication with national and regional bodies, including the CBCI, CCBI and Telugu Catholic Bishops’ bodies, while implementing wider guidelines in harmony with local diocesan priorities. Diocesan commissions were encouraged to represent their dioceses at relevant meetings and workshops, form inclusive teams of religious and competent lay members, organise activities at diocesan, deanery and parish levels, and periodically review their initiatives.

The programme also addressed the need to bring greater coordination to the network of doctors, nurses, medical officers and religious sisters associated with the Church’s healthcare mission. The proposed operational framework includes creating a comprehensive registry of healthcare professionals, promoting Christ’s healing ministry, organising medical camps and health-awareness programmes, and strengthening collaboration with external healthcare institutions and volunteers.

Fr. Ivan Santosh, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Health, explained the national healthcare network connecting the CCBI, 14 regional offices, including the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh region, and 174 dioceses. He noted that while healthcare initiatives are managed through diocesan health commissions, the national body operates as the CBCI Office for Healthcare based at St John’s, Bengaluru.

The programme also highlighted the role of the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), founded in 1943 by Australian Sister Mary Glowry JMJ. With around 3,000 member institutions, CHAI serves as a national network for the Church’s healthcare mission and supports training, capacity building and project development, while facilitating engagement with government and donor agencies.

Diocesan Health Commission Secretaries were encouraged to map healthcare institutions within their respective dioceses and strengthen their links with CHAI and CHAAPT. The mapping is expected to cover hospitals, primary healthcare centres, support services and complementary-care institutions, including homeopathy and naturopathy. Fr. Santosh emphasised the importance of ensuring that healthcare institutions within each diocese complete their registration to strengthen coordination across the network.

The programme brought together Fr. Ivan Santosh of the CBCI Health Commission, Fr. David Arulappa, Vicar General of the Diocese of Kurnool, Sr. Dr Blanch Rosario, President of SDFI, Fr. Joseph P., Director of Jeevasudha Pastoral Centre, Sr. Juli Antony JMJ, Regional Secretary of the TCBC Commission for Health, along with diocesan clergy, religious and lay commission members and healthcare professionals.

The discussions also emphasised a holistic approach to Catholic healthcare, which seeks to accompany people through different stages of life and provide continued support to those affected by grief, trauma and mental-health challenges. Mental-health awareness was highlighted as an area that can be integrated into parish, youth, school, family and community programmes.

The training highlighted the distinct role of the diocesan health commission secretary in animating, networking, coordinating and advocating for the Church’s healing mission across the diocese and region, while serving as a link between the bishop, the health commission and the communities it serves.

Sr. Juli Antony JMJ

Regional Secretary Commission for Health TCBC