The Third National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship Meeting was held on Sept. 11, 2025, from 02.00 to 03.30 p.m. at the CBCI Centre, New Delhi. About 25 participants took part in it including the Archbishops / Bishops, Church Heads, and the delegates of various Christian Denominations. The CBCI Office for Dialogue and the Desk for Ecumenism of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) facilitated the Meeting. Its main purpose was to foster the fellowship among the Church leaders and strengthen the ecumenical movement in India. It also included an ecumenical dialogue on the Draft Guidelines of the National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI).
The Meeting began with the Ecumenical Prayer Service for Christian Unity adapted from the Resources for the Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2025, which was jointly prepared and published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity of Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (WCC). To mark the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council held at Nicaea in 325 AD, the theme: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26) was chosen for the year 2025. The Prayer Service was led by Bishop Gerald Mathias of Lucknow, a member of CBCI Office for Dialogue and the Desk for Ecumenism.
The self-introduction of the participants was followed by the presentation of the Minutes of the Second National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship and Consultation Meetingheld on September 13, 2024 by Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, the Coordinator of the National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship. Then, Key-Note Address was delivered by Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, Chairman of CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism. He presented the background and Draft Guidelines of the National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI). After that, it was taken up for deliberation by the delegates during the open house ecumenical dialogue. Many of them appreciated the Draft Guidelines as being comprehensive and appropriate. Some suggestions were offered to fine tune the Guidelines and for its refinement.
In his concluding remarks, CBCI President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, while appreciating the preparation of Draft Guidelines, emphasised the urgency of uniting and working together. At the wake of increasing attacks on the Christians by the communal forces, he pointed out that it is the need of the hour to project a united Christian face and have single voice. The Fellowship Meeting came to a close with the prayer and benediction offered by Rev. Fr Daniel Thomas, Vicar General of Delhi Diocese of the Mar Thomas Syrian Church. After the Meeting, the delegates took part in the spectacular programme of Prabhu Jesu Mahotsav, the National Ecumenical Jubilee 2025 Celebrations, and the commemoration of the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea and Nicaean Creed. These ecumenical events highlighted the common faith that unites the Churches as expressed by the Nicene Creed. They also presented a witness to the Christian unity and growing communion among the Churches in the spirit of joy and hope of the Jubilee 2025.
Reported by
Rev. Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma,
Coordinator of National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship &
Secretary of CBCI Office for Dialogue & Desk for Ecumenism.
CBCI Centre, New Delhi – 11-09-2025.