The Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, in collaboration with the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, organised a Bible Symposium on the theme “Biblical Text in Its Context in the Digital and AI Age.”
The symposium was held at the Divine Springs Retreat Centre, Xellim, Loliem, Canacona. The symposium was organised to mark the Jubilee Year 2025 as well as the Centenary of the Canonisation of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus. The symposium was inaugurated by Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, and Chairman of the Western Region CCBI Bible Commission. Joining him for the inauguration were Dr Pius James D’Souza OCD, Definitor General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites; Dr Richard D’Souza OCD, Coordinator of the Symposium; Dr Alphonse Britto OCD, Provincial Councilor for Spirituality; Fr Rovel D’Souza OCD, Superior of the Divine Springs Retreat Centre; and Dr Gregory D’Souza OCD.
Together, they lit the traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of the symposium. Divine Springs Retreat Centre, Xellim, Loliem, felicitated Bishop Simião Fernandes on his first visit to the community after his Episcopal Ordination. The symposium featured a rich blend of conferences and workshops on diverse themes.
Practical sessions provided hands-on training with biblical and digital tools. These sessions were conducted by the panel of distinguished resource persons included, Dr Pius James D’Souza OCD, (Definitor General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Rome), Dr Richard Francis D’Souza OCD ( Professor at the Teresianum, Rome), Fr Mariano D’Costa ( Director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate, Archdiocese of Goa and Daman), Dr Patrick Mathias SDB, (Secretary of the CCBI Bible Commission, Bengaluru), Dr Vincent Sequeira, (Commission for Bible, Diocese of Mangalore), Fr Macson Fernandes, (Secretary, Western Region CCBI Bible Commission and Professor at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, Goa), Dr Yesu Karunanidhi (Head of Programs, Centre of Biblical Formation, Jerusalem), Dr Biju Joseph Karukappallil CMI (Professor at Dharmaram, Bengaluru) and Dr Darbello Christus (Professor, Trivandrum) The symposium concluded with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr Silvestre D’Souza OCD, Provincial Superior of the KarnatakaGoa Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. Fr Rovel D’Souza OCD, Superior of the Divine Springs Retreat Centre, Xellim, Loliem, welcomed the dignitaries and participants and on the final day, offered thanks to all who had contributed to the Symposium