On 13 September 2024, roughly 40 representatives from around 20 churches across India gathered in Bengaluru for the National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship Meeting. The event, convened by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), aimed to foster unity amongst Christian denominations and address pressing issues facing the community in India.
The meeting, held at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, brought together leaders from various Christian backgrounds, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical denominations. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, President of CBCI, chaired the session, while Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, Chairman of CBCI Office for Dialogue and Ecumenism, delivered the inaugural address.
In an announcement released after the event, participants expressed their “serious anxiety” over increasing attacks on Christians and other minority groups in India. They called for the protection of minority rights and security for minority communities, emphasising the necessity to dispel misconceptions about Christianity within the country.
“We want to firmly assert the numerous contribution of the Churches and Christian community to the nation constructing and to dispel the misinterpretation and false belief that Christianity is a foreign religion because it has been present in India for about 2000 years,” the statement read.
The gathering passed several resolutions, including a commitment to fulfill more continuously to strengthen ecumenical federations on the state level. They also proposed the formation of a national ecumenical federation of churches comprising bishops and heads of varied denominations.
One of the important thing demands put forth was the implementation of equal status and constitutional rights for Dalit Christians, a longstanding issue for the community. The participants also decided to carry common ecumenical celebrations to mark the Jubilee Year 2025 and the 1700th anniversary of the primary Ecumenical Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed.
The meeting consisted of an ecumenical dialogue session, a prayer service for Christian unity, and concluded with a fellowship dinner. Bishop M.A. Daniel led the dialogue session, while Bishop John S.D. Raju conducted the prayer service.
In a critique of the event published by Indian Catholic Matters, Verghese V Joseph praised the initiative for its inclusive approach and concentrate on unity. However, he identified several areas where the meeting’s outcomes might be strengthened.
Joseph noted that while the resolutions addressed significant concerns, the report lacked specific strategies or timelines for implementation. He wrote, “Detailing how these resolutions will likely be acted upon would enhance accountability and be certain that commitments translate into tangible outcomes.”
The critique also highlighted the absence of follow-up mechanisms to evaluate progress on the resolutions passed. Joseph suggested that “Establishing regular check-ins or updates could help maintain momentum and encourage ongoing collaboration amongst church leaders.”
Furthermore, the article emphasised the necessity for broader societal engagement beyond the Christian community. Joseph proposed that “Collaborating with other faith groups or civil society organizations could strengthen advocacy efforts for minority rights and social justice.”
The critique also identified that the report primarily focused on external challenges facing Christians in India but didn’t address potential internal challenges inside denominations which will hinder ecumenical efforts. Joseph argued that “Acknowledging these issues could lead on to more comprehensive discussions and solutions.”
Lastly, the article called for a more robust communication technique to share the outcomes of the meeting with the broader community and media, suggesting that this might “enhance support for ecumenical initiatives.”
Despite these critiques, Joseph acknowledged the importance of the gathering, stating that “As India continues to navigate complex socio-political landscapes, such ecumenical initiatives are vital for fostering solidarity amongst Christians and advocating for his or her rights as a minority group inside a various nation.”
