His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a message on the Pope’s behalf to the 31st plenary assembly of India’s Latin-rite bishops (CCBI) that is discussing the theme, “The Joy of the Gospel”. The 31st plenary assembly of the CCBI, January 7 to 14, at the Joe Animation Centre of the seaside town of Mahabalipuram in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state, has as its theme, “Evangelii Gaudium”, or “The Joy of the Gospel”, the Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Church’s primary mission of evangelizations in the modern world.
As reported by Vatican news, “His Holiness sends fraternal greetings to you and your brother Bishops gathered on this occasion, and invites you ‘to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, an openness to letting Him encounter you unfailingly each day” (Evangelii Gaudium, 3),” wrote Vatican Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin in a message sent on behalf of the Pope to the bishops. The Pontiff “prays that your discussions may bear much fruit in your service of God’s people, as they strive to grow in faith and charity,” said Eminence Cardinal Parolin’s message that was read to the bishops by CCBI vice president, His Grace Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore. “Fortified by a deepened personal relationship with the Saviour, and sustained by the grace of the sacraments, may all the faithful in India live out their vocation joyfully and generously,” the message read.
The Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, His Excellency Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro presided over a solemn Eucharistic celebration on January 8 to inaugurate the working sessions of the CCBI plenary assembly. “There is a need for the Church to attend to the needs of humanity, which is the joy of the Church in living the Gospel,” he told the assembly.
