CCBI Commission for Bible at the CBF 10th Plenary Assembly

Most Rev. Antonysamy Peter Abir, Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Bible, and Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi, Executive Secretary to the Commission attended the 10th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF) convoked from 15 to 21 April 2023, at Mar del Plata, Argentina on the theme: “Proclaiming the Word – Gift of Life for a Fragile World (Rom 8:22-23)”. The CBF currently has 348 members in 156 countries. Its work involves the biblical dimension of pastoral care, inspired by Chapter 6 of the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum: “Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church”.

On 15 April 2023, at 6:00 pm, the Inaugural Mass was held at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Mar del Plata. Most Rev. Gabriel Mestre, the Local Ordinary, presided over the Eucharistic Celebration. After the conclusion of the service, the assembly participants were led in a procession, carrying the Holy Bible from the Cathedral to the venue of the Assembly, Intersur Hotel 13 de Julio. The Holy Bible was adorned with four colour ribbons of the CBF. His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, through a pre-recorded video message, wished the gathering all success. Most Rev. Mathieu Madega Lebouakehan, Bishop of Mouila, Moderator of the Executive Committee of the CBF declared the Plenary Assembly open.

On the following day, on 16 April 2023, we went for a pastoral experience to the Community of St. Rose of Lima at the outskirts of the city, to have a hand on experience of the word of God being celebrated in a community.

The plenary sessions, the panel discussions, and the workshops elaborated on the theme of the Plenary Assembly and explored various means of Biblical Pastoral Ministry. The reports submitted from different regions helped us view our own activities in the light of them. The Encounter with the Word, a daily lectio divina, was a heart-touching moment where we could experience the word of God coming alive to challenge and to transform us.

In the light of the 10th CBF PA, the CCBI Commission for Bible has resolved to do the following: (i) Strengthen networking and collaboration with different institutions; (ii) Update the national consultative body for Biblical Pastoral Ministry in India; (iii) Enrol for Culture-Bible-Identity Seminar, which is an initiative to read the Bible interculturally; (iv) Create new programs to animate and train lay ministers for Biblical Pastoral Ministry; (v) Concentrate on concrete and constant programs, not shallow and short-lived events; and (vi) Develop new courses and modules that could be worked out through St. Paul’s Bible College.

The CCBI Commission for Bible interacted well at the workshops, the panel discussions, and the regional meetings. We displayed at the PA the activities that are being undertaken by the Commission, and they were appreciated much. New contacts have been established; new ideas have been conceived; and new horizons for Biblical Pastoral Ministry are reflected upon.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Executive Secretary

Revised 25 April 2023