Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 22: The 18th National Conference of Catholic Psychologists of India organized by Conference of Catholic Psychologists of India (CCPI) and Psychologists of Karnataka – Mangaluru Region was inaugurated on Friday September 22 at Shanthikiran, Bajjodi here.
After the symbolic inauguration of the three-day conference, Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru said, "Healthy mind lives in the healthy body. Maintaining the health of mind and body is very important for one's well-being. Researches show that people give more importance to bodily health today, than the mental health which is equally important in the growth of a person. Mastering of oneself through will power helps the person to grow mentally. Some people appear to be good and normal but inside they are broken. It’s the duty of Catholic psychologists to build the positive image of the broken selves by following the example of Jesus himself. Psychologists have a role to play in the positive well-being of the persons."
Dr Fr C M Joseph Cherukunel, president of CCPI, gave a bird’s eye view of the three-day conference and its themes. He said, "Understanding of positive emotions is very important in the well-being of the person. Positive subjective experiences, enhancing human potentials and creating positive institutions enable the well-being of the person. The resource persons on the theme are well qualified and give lectures on different topics connected to positive psychology – a pathway to well-being."
On this occasion the website of CCPI was launched by bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza.
Fr Thomas, the secretary of CCPI, Fr Peter D’Souza, the director of Pastoral Institute and Dr Fr Lawrence, director of Anugraha Counselling Centre Dindigal, Kamalesh Singh, deparment of HUSS ITT, New Delhi, Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, the vicar general of diocese of Mangaluru, Fr Arun Lobo, the local organizer of the conference were present for the inaugural programme.
Dr Fr Lawrence Soosai Nathan delivered the keynote address. As many as 125 Catholic psychologists from all over India registered their names for the conference being from September 22 to 24.
The themes of the lectures are: 'Strategies to improve well-being; positive psychology perspective' by Dr (MS) Kamalesh Singh, deparnment of HUSS ITT, New Delhi, 'Enhancing human potentials through 24 characteristics, strengths' by Dr Sr Jenis Mary, vice-principal, Roshni Nilaya, Mangaluru, 'Enhancing the human potentials through resilience' by Fr A R John, director of Family Apostolate, Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram, 'Creating positive institutions' by Aswini N V, director MUKTHA Foundation Bengaluru, 'Creating positive institutions through educational institutions' by Fr Wilson Chakkyath, professor, Dharmaram College, Bengaluru. The valedictory function will be held on September 24 at the venue.