CBAI National Biblical Conference Inaugurated in Mangaluru; Focuses on Subsidiarity and Synodal Governance
Mangaluru: The Annual Conference of the Catholic Biblical Association of India (CBAI) commenced on November 6 at Jyothi Nivas Hall, Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Centre, Bajjodi, Mangaluru. The two-day national conference, themed “Biblical Subsidiarity: A Vision for the Synodal Church in India,” brings together Scripture scholars, theologians and religious leaders to reflect on decentralised participation and shared authority within the Church.
The conference was formally inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Abir, Bishop of Sultanpet, who also presided over the release of a book during the inaugural session.
The programme began with a prayer service conducted by LTh students of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, followed by the presidential address delivered by Rev. Dr. Vincent Sequeira, President of CBAI and Diocesan Secretary of the Bible Commission, Mangaluru. Fr. Santosh Rodrigues, Director of Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Centre, welcomed the gathering, while Sr. Preema AC proposed the vote of thanks. Rev. Dr. Jayapradeep, Secretary of CBAI, coordinated the conference.
Delivering the keynote address, titled “Biblical Subsidiarity: The Divine Design of Communion,” Dr. Assisi Saldanha CSsR, Director of St Alphonsus Institute, Bengaluru, highlighted that subsidiarity is an intrinsic biblical principle rather than a concept borrowed from modern sociology.
Tracing its theological foundations from Genesis to Revelation, Dr. Saldanha explained that biblical subsidiarity safeguards human dignity, promotes solidarity, and goes beyond mere administrative decentralisation. He also outlined practical ways in which this principle could guide the Church in India.
The academic deliberations began with a presentation by Dr. Thomas Karimundackal, Professor and Dean of Theology at Pontifical Athenaeum Jnana Deepa, Pune, on the creation narratives in Genesis 1–2. Moderated by Dr. Salvador Fernandes, the session explored imago Dei (the image of God) as the foundation for shared agency, relational responsibility and ecological stewardship.
The first day’s proceedings also included a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Peter Abir, followed by research paper presentations on Old Testament models of leadership by Dr. Alex Ancheles, prophetic call narratives by Dr. Mary Leena CSSA, and sapiential literature on the family unit (oikos) by Dr. Antony Sijan Manuveliparambil.
During the two-day conference, nine scholarly papers will be presented, contributing to the formulation of a vision statement for the synodal Church in India.
