Varanasi Diocese Conducts Canon Law Formation for Clergy and Religious

Varanasi, July 17, 2026: The Diocese of Varanasi organised a day-long formation seminar for diocesan priests, religious priests and women religious to strengthen pastoral ministry through a deeper understanding of canon law, family pastoral care and safeguarding.

Around 200 participants attended the programme at Nav Sadhana, the Regional Pastoral Centre, where sessions focused on canonical norms governing mixed marriages and disparity of cult, pastoral accompaniment of families, and safeguarding responsibilities in the Church.

Inaugurating the seminar, Bishop Eugene Joseph of Varanasi said a sound knowledge of canon law is essential for effective pastoral ministry. He stressed that proper application of canonical norms ensures both pastoral care and legal validity when addressing complex marriage cases, including mixed marriages and disparity of cult.

The principal resource person, Fr. Dr. Merlin Ambrose, Director of the Centre for Canon Law Studies at St. Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru, led three sessions. He explained the canonical principles governing the participation of the laity in the Church and their co-responsibility in diocesan and parish life.

Another session examined the canonical procedures for mixed marriages and disparity of cult, with particular attention to dispensations and convalidations.

Participants also attended a session on safeguarding that focused on child protection, legal accountability and diocesan responsibilities in protecting minors and vulnerable adults.

The concluding session, led by Fr. Prince, examined the teaching authority of the Church and reflected on Magnifica Humanitas, the encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, highlighting its emphasis on safeguarding human dignity in the contemporary world.

The seminar concluded with an interactive discussion in which participants raised practical pastoral questions and exchanged experiences with the resource persons. Organisers said the programme was designed to strengthen pastoral ministry by equipping clergy and religious with greater canonical and pastoral competence.

By Catholic Connect Reporter