The other action plans of the CDPI are: to accompany parents and youth in their daily struggles; to reach out to the poor; and to form Green Clubs in their parishes and schools to promote integral ecology.
The day began with the Eucharistic celebration led by Nashik Bishop Lourdnada Daniel, who in his homily said that the identity of a diocesan priest is a spiritual leader.
“God has chosen the priests amongst many to serve the world. Today the world and our motherland India need priests, who have experienced God in their own life, so that these priests can share God’s love, mercy and forgiveness among others,” he said.
Calicut Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal delivered a lecture on the theme ‘Mercy is the true face of the Priest of God’. He enumerated the four characteristics of a priest: a priest must be a healed healer; a priest must be a liberated liberator. He can liberate others, only if he himself has experienced liberation from sin; a priest must be a motivated motivator. He must have the right motivation to serve others; and a priest must be an evangelized evangelizer. He must be filled with the Gospel values of love, mercy and forgiveness. Reflecting upon the teachings of Pope Francis, Bishop Chakkalakal asked the priests to be Oasis of mercy in a broken and wounded world.
The concluding session was presided over by Bishop Udumala Bala, the Patron of CDPI. The priests expressed their appreciation to the organizers for the successful completion of the conference. The priests also felt that the CDPI needs to be strengthened at the diocesan and regional level. Further, Bishop Bala in his concluding address said that the CDPI would continue to help diocesan priests to unitedly work towards human welfare.
