The Archdiocesan Human Life Committee
events
THE NATIONAL BIOETHICS SYMPOSIUMS AT ST. PIUS COLLEGE, GOREGAON
October 21-23, 2016
Theme: A Call to Human Freedom and Justice in the Family and Society: Ethical Concerns and Pastoral Approaches.
This programme was a joint effort of the CBCI Office for Justice, Peace and Development, the Mumbai Justice and Peace Commission, the CCBI Commission for Doctrine and Theology, FIAMC Bio-Medical Ethics Centre and AHLC. More than 400 people – bishops, priests, nuns, social workers and those involved in the family and healthcare apostolate from all over India came together at St. Pius X College, Goregaon, Mumbai, from 21st to 23rd October, 2016 to grapple with vital life issues. The Symposium opened with a galaxy of brilliant speakers including His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop Anil Couto, Chairperson, CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine, Bishop Gerald Almeida, Chairperson, CBCI Office of Justice, Peace and Development, Archbishop Felix Machado, Chairperson, CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism and Chairperson, CCBI Commission for Ecumenism, Sanjay Macwan, Regional Director, North India, International Justice Mission (IJM) on Human Trafficking and a plethora of eminent speakers who spoke on various pro-life issues such as child rights, challenges faced by the family, challenges of gender justice, palliative care, issues related to substance abuse and their impact on family life and so on.
A particularly informative session was on, 'The Challenge of Human Sexuality and Love faced by Youth and the Married Today' by Vally and Anna Coelho, Co-Directors of the Couple to Couple League (CCL) India Chapter, Goa. There was a Panel Discussion on "Concept of Life and Death in Various Religions" wherein a Hindu, a Jain, a Muslim, a Zoroastrian, a Jew and a Christian spoke from their respective religious viewpoints. The programme culminated with a March for Life from St. Andrew’s Church, Bandra to Mount Mary
THE NATIONAL BIOETHICS SYMPOSIUMS AT ST. PIUS COLLEGE, GOREGAON
13 - 15 October 2017
Theme: Understanding Amoris Laetitia
AHLC in conjunction with the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), Conference of Catholic Bishops of India - Doctrine (CCBI) and Federation Internationale des Associations Medicales Catholiques (FIAMC), played a major role in this Conference. Present at the Symposium were His Eminence, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Anil Couto and Bishops Gerald Almeida, Lawrence Pius, Dominic Savio, John Rodriques and Allwyn D’Silva with the Apostolic Nuncio’s representative. Over three hundred and fifty delegates comprising priests, nuns and laity all over India listened with rapt attention to the messages of Amoris Laetitia in its entire dimension.
The Director of AHLC, Mrs. Ninette Lobo was one of the keynote speakers on the day. AHLC presented the Kevin and Hilda Award on the penultimate day of the Conference to Adhar Foundation specializing in housing the mentally handicapped of all ages.
Asia Pacific Conferences organized by Human Life International (ASPAC)
Updated: Mar 4
Human Life International’s Asia-Pacific Congress (ASPAC) on Faith, Life and Family is the biggest gathering of pro-life leaders in Asia and Oceania who want to learn and be involved in the promotion and defence of faith, life, and family in the region. ASPAC is a training ground for pro-life leaders and future leaders to be able to efficiently and effectively defend life in their respective countries. At the same time, ASPAC serves as forum for pro-life leaders around the region and the world to share and inspire each other as they continually face the increasing challenges in the mission for the promotion and defence of faith, life, and family. The Congress has been graced by officials from the Vatican, Papal Nuncios, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, clergy, religious, and prominent lay leaders in the international pro-life movement since it began in Bangalore, India in 1994.
Along with discussing pressing issues facing the region in the fight for life and family, prayer and a focus on living our Catholic faith is a part of every ASPAC with group prayers of the Rosary, attendance of Holy Mass, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament available each day. The Congress also attracts people of other faiths, not only from Asia and Oceania, but from other parts of the world as well, who are united in the defence of life.
Members of the Archdiocesan Human Life committee have been attending the conferences since 1998. At these thematic conferences, they have been presenting papers on various prolife topics with reference to our country and archdiocese.
In November 2017, four delegates from the Archdiocesan Human Life Committee attended the 21st Asian Pacific Congress – ASPAC on FAITH, LIFE AND FAMILY, held at Bangkok. The theme was ‘Put out into the Deep: Defending the Family, Hope of the Dying World.’ It was well attended with representatives from twenty-one countries including Bolivia and Croatia. Rev. Fr. ShenanBoquet and Dr. Brian Clowes from HLI International, along with Dr.LigayaAcousta, President of HLI – Asia were the main speakers. It was heartening to see more than thirty prolife delegates from India with Goa taking the lead; they had a contingent of about 20 members.