Western Region Bishops' Council Aligns Pastoral Plan with National CCBI Vision

October 28, 2025: The Western Region Bishops’ Council (WRBC) held a two-day Regional Directors’ Training Programme on Pastoral Planning for Family, Ecology, and Faith Formation at Atamshod, Vasai, from 15-16 October under the leadership of Archbishop Elias Gonsalves, Chairman, and Bishop Thomas D’Souza, Secretary.

The gathering sought to align the Western Region’s Pastoral Plan with the National Pastoral Plan of the CCBI, strengthening ecclesial vitality, synodality, and ecological consciousness across dioceses.

In his keynote address, Archbishop Gonsalves highlighted the need for co-responsibility and collaboration in pastoral renewal. Bishop Thomas D’Souza emphasised discernment and shared mission from the CCBI Plenary Document, while Fr. Vivian Lobo reflected on insights from the Synod’s Final Document.

Heads of regional commissions—including Bible, Catechetics, Education, Media, Family, Youth, BEC, Women, Labour, and JPD—presented reports outlining achievements, challenges, and priorities for 2025.

Key discussions focused on faith formation, ecological conversion, and the family as the domestic Church, identifying concrete pathways to integrate synodal and ecological values into parish and diocesan life.

The meeting concluded with a ten-point action plan promoting environmental stewardship, water conservation, tree plantation drives, solar initiatives, and the observance of Ecology Sunday in every diocese. Fr. Simon Almeida, Regional Secretary, coordinated the sessions, while Fr. Vivian Lobo served as the resource person.

Archbishop Gonsalves encouraged all commissions to “embody the spirit of synodality in action and care for our common home.”

The WRBC reaffirmed its commitment to journey together in faith, family, and ecology as one synodal Church.

By Fr. Simon Almeida & Fr. Vivian Lobo