The National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Center (NBCLC) in collaboration with the CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism conducted a National Workshop on Interreligious and Ecumenical Ministry on April 08-09, 2025 at NBCLC, Bengaluru. It is for the first time a national level workshop on interreligious dialogue and ecumenism, and the national meeting of the regional secretaries and diocesan directors of Dialogue and Ecumenism were organised. The purpose of the Workshop was to provide an update on the Catholic teaching and ministry of Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism in the light of the recently concluded XVIth Synod on Synodality. About 60 participants took part in the Workshop, among whom nearly 50 were the regional and diocesan directors of interreligious dialogue and ecumenism and close 10 were religious priests involved in the interfaith and ecumenical ministry. Its overall theme: Interreligious and Ecumenical Dialogue on the Synodal Context of Church in India.

In the two-day Workshop, the first day was dedicated to the subject of Interreligious Dialogue and the second to Ecumenism. For the first day the theme was: Interreligious Dialogue in the Synodal Context: Walking Together with Our Religious Neighbours. The inaugural session began with an opening prayer and bhajan led by the NBCLC team. The lighting of the lamp was done by the dignitaries. Welcome address and introduction was given by Fr Dr John Baptist, Director of NBCLC. The inaugural address was delivered by the Auxiliary Bishop of Bangalore Joseph Susainathan who spelt out various forms of ecumenical dialogue. In the Keynote Address, Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios of Mavelikara and the National Chairman of CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism presented, “The Legacy of the Popes to India on Interreligious Dialogue”. The first talk was given by Prof. Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, the National Secretary of CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, and former Professor at St. John’s Regional Seminary, Hyderabad, on the topic, “Commitment of the Church for Synodality and Interreligious Engagement: A Call to Common Task,” using the power point programme. The discussion that followed was moderated by Prof. Fr Dr S. M. Michael, Council Member of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican, and Professor Emeritus in Anthropology and Director of Indian Institute of Culture, Mumbai. Prof. Fr Dr Robin Shaya Seelan, the Secretary of FABC for Interreligious and Ecumenical Affairs, who is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Satya Nilayam, Chennai, and Coordinator of Spirituality and Dialogue Commission of Chennai Jesuit Province. With power point programme and group dynamics he demonstrated the topic, “The Synodal Pedagogy to Decode and Grow in Effective Interfaith Dialogue”. The discussion on the topic was moderated by Sr Dr Gracy Thomas Vadakara DOC, Provincial Superior and Member of the Joint Working Group (JWG) of the Catholic Church and World Council of Churches (WCC).

In the afternoon the Group Discussion and Presentation of Reports took place on how synodality can shape interreligious dialogue in India. Fr Arun Louis SJ, Director of Ashirvad Dialogue Center, Bengaluru, moderated the panel discussion of the eminent speakers from five different religious traditions. The Panel Discussion was on: “Interreligious Dialogue as a Synodal Journey: Sharing Experiences”. The following experts dwelt on the relationship of their respective Faith tradition to Christianity: Sister Gitanjali Brahma Kumari and Swami Bodhaswaroopananda Adhyaksha Maharaj on

Hinduism, Ms. Fatima Sara on Islam, Prof. H. S. Bhatia on Sikhism, and Prof. Harsh Vardhan Umre on Buddhism. The Eucharistic celebration of the day was presided over by Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios in the evening. First day concluded with the Meeting of the Secretaries of Dialogue and Ecumenism of the Commissions of the Ritual Churches, and the Regional Secretaries and Diocesan Directors held after supper (see the separate report).

The second day, dedicated to the ecumenical dialogue on the theme: Ecumenism in the Synodal Context: Walking Together as One Church, began with the Holy Eucharist presided over by the Most Rev. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore. The session started with the bhajan and prayer led by Fr Dr Norbert Herman, the Regional Director of Northern Region. The first talk of the day was delivered by Prof. Fr Dr Jose Kizhakkekuttu CMI, Assistant Professor in Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK), Bengaluru, on the topic: “Synodality and Christian Unity: A New Path for Ecumenism”. The session was moderated by Fr Dr Phillip Nelpuraparmpil, the Coordinator of the Catholic-Orthodox Churches Dialogue in India and an Executive Member of the global Syrian Forum. CSI Bishop Emeritus of Karimnagar Rt Rev. Dr Surya Prakash, Professor Emeritus of United Theological College (UTC), Bengaluru, and Former General Secretary of Federation of Telugu Churches (FTC), in his talk highlighted, “the Challenges and Opportunities in Ecumenical Dialogue in India”.

“How synodality opened up new pathways for ecumenical collaboration” was the subject of the group discussion that took place in the afternoon. The Panel Discussion on, “Synodality and Christian Witness: Strengthening Ecumenical Bond” was moderated by Fr Dr Baptist Pius SVD, the Secretary of CCBI Commission for Ecumenism. The panellists were: Prof. Rev. Dr Dexter Maben, CSI Presbyter in Charge of St Andrews Church and Professor at UTC, Rev. Fr. Nithin Rajan of Syrian Malankara Orthodox Church, and Prof. Rev. Dr Epratha Sarathy, General Secretary of Karnataka Baptist Convention and Professor at UTC. This session was chaired by Fr Dr Sunil Rosario, Regional Secretary of Bengal Region.

Vote of thanks was proposed by Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, the Coordinator of the National Workshop, who expressed his gratitude, among others, to the Director and Staff of the NBCLC who sponsored it. The National Workshop concluded with the singing of the hymn, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord”. The participants expressed their satisfaction of being enlightened by the presentation of erudite resource persons and panellists, the mutual sharing in the group discussions, and fellowship and solidarity with each other. They felt that the Synod on Synodality has strengthened their commitment and enlivened them for “journeying together” with the neighbouring Faiths and Churches as partners in the task of building up the Divine Reign of love, justice and peace.