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