Media Release
Bengaluru, Feb 4: Pope Francis considers the connection between canon law and the synodality of the church to the extent that the synodal spirit must be lived in every aspect of lay people’s juridical duty by way of their communion, participation, and mission in dioceses and parishes.
Many signs indicate that the Spirit is empowering them for an even greater role in the coming millennium. One crucial area where the lay persons are to cooperate with the sense of synodal co-responsibility is in the life of the church. This is done either by giving them ministries or by including them in the consultation and decision-making process in committees and councils, paving the way for the Synodal Church. Therefore, to create awareness among the laity about their particular vocation and mission based on communion, mission and participation, formation programmes exclusively for the laity need to be conducted.
Summary report of the first session of the sixteenth ordinary general assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 4-29, 2023), in its introduction, emphasises this need to deepen canonical knowledge.
Therefore, under the esteemed auspices of the commission for canon law within the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), a comprehensive annual online diploma course in canon law for laypeople was held from December 10 to January 10.
The course was diligently and meticulously organised and conducted by Dr Merlin Rengith Ambrose DCL, both executive secretary of the commission for canon law in CCBI and professor of canon law at St Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru, under the very able guidance of Savarimuthu, the chairman of the commission.
The course format consisted of sessions held on every second and fourth Saturday of the month. This inaugural session was graced by the esteemed presence of his eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, whose opening address on 10 December 2022 eloquently emphasised the crucial role of canon law education in empowering laypeople to embrace a more active role within the Church’s ongoing synodal process. Arulselvam Rayappan, in the inaugural session, underscored the necessity for lay persons to acquire a profound understanding of canon law and further emphasised the instrumental role it plays in fulfilling parochial and diocesan responsibilities, guiding lives following the church’s magisterium.
This inaugural event of the annual diploma course in ‘Canon Law for a Synodal Church’ for the lay people set the stage for a programme teeming with eager participants – a total of four hundred and thirty-seven (437) lay people hailing from twenty-three (23) countries across the globe embarked on this enriching journey. The classes were held every second and fourth Saturday with their vibrant participation.
The curriculum delved into the core aspects of laypeople’s canonical rights and obligations, providing valuable insights into their communion, mission, and participation within the church in order to realise a Synodal Church, as envisaged by Pope Francis. An overarching theme, echoing the teachings of the second Vatican council, underscored the crucial importance of fostering communion within the church and its anchoring in relevant juridical foundations. Notably, the programme equipped laypeople with a comprehensive understanding of canon law, thus empowering them to actively engage within the participatory structures of dioceses, parishes, and other ecclesial institutions. This annual online diploma course stands as a powerful tool in fostering the development of synodal thinking among laypeople.
The esteemed teaching faculty for this course comprised Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and renowned professors of canon law from India and abroad, lending their invaluable expertise to each session. This esteemed pool of instructors resulted in highly acclaimed sessions that proved immensely fruitful for the participants.
Convocation Ceremony – Diplomas
The culmination of this impactful annual diploma programme saw the convocation ceremony, held on 3 February 2024 in Bengaluru, where participants were formally recognised for their dedication and achievements. Dr Merlin Rengith Ambrose DCL, the executive secretary of the commission for canon law in the conference of catholic bishops of India and professor of canon law at St Peter’s Pontifical Institute, meticulously orchestrated this momentous occasion of the convocation ceremony wherein all the participants were awarded diplomas in canon law.
On the day of convocation, two formative sessions were conducted. Dr John Mendonca DCL spoke of laypeople being co-responsible in the activities of the church in order to create a Synodal Church and emphasised the need for their proper formation for their synodal participation. Alex Vadakumthala, Bishop of Kannur and a Canon Lawyer, mentioned the importance of the participatory structures, such as the parish pastoral council, parish finance council, diocesan pastoral and finance council, diocesan synods, diocesan pastoral council and other commissions wherein the lay people could commit themselves to render their mission and participation in order to blossom the synodal church in India.
The distinguished his eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India CCBI), bestowed certificates upon the participants, offering his heartfelt congratulations. In his address, he eloquently reaffirmed the crucial need for such initiatives, underscoring how equipping laypeople with knowledge of canon law empowers them to contribute meaningfully to the church and its participatory structures. The convocation ceremony was further graced by the presence of Antony Savarimuthu (chairman Bishop of the Commission for Canon Law in CCBI) who delivered a compelling address stressing the paramount importance of lay involvement within the church and significance of canon law as an instrument of faith.
In conclusion, the annual online diploma course in canon law for laypeople stands as a resounding success, leaving a lasting legacy of canonically empowered individuals and a revitalised spirit of synodal collaboration within the catholic church. Through the dedicated efforts of its organisers, esteemed faculty, and eager participants, this program has paved the way for a brighter future where laypeople, equipped with knowledge and a newfound sense of agency, actively contribute to the church’s mission and its ongoing synodal journey.
Dr Merlin Rengith Ambrose, the executive secretary of the Commission for Canon Law in CCBI and the professor of Canon Law at St Peter’s Pontifical Institue, Bengaluru, meticulously organised the annual diploma course in canon law for one full year and the final grand convocation ceremony that embraced 437 participants from 23 countries. Conference of Catholic Bishops of India appreciates the commission for canon law for their the noble and first-ever new initiative in canon law for the blooming of the Synodal Church.