Book on ‘Religious Elevated to Episcopate’ Released in Shillong and Bangalore

Shillong, November 8, 2025: Sacred Heart Theological College, Mawlai–Shillong, celebrated the release of a scholarly work by Fr. Arul Kumar Sebastian, SDB, titled Religious Elevated to Episcopate: Formation & Juridical Interpretation of cann. 705–707 CIC 1983. The book, the outcome of Fr. Sebastian’s doctoral research at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, Rome, explores the canonical and juridical aspects of religious life when members are elevated to the episcopate.

The first release of the book took place on 15 October 2025 at Dharmaram College, Bangalore, during the Annual Conference of the Canon Law Society of India, where Cardinal Oswald Gracias presided over the event. The second release was held on 5 November 2025 at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong, in the presence of Fr. John Zosiama, Provincial of the Shillong Province, and Fr. Jose Chunkapura, Director of the Institute.

In the book’s preface, Ángel Fernández Cardinal Artime, SDB, commended the depth of Fr. Sebastian’s research, noting:

“Among the author’s contributions, it is noteworthy that he examines the challenges posed by the modifications introduced by the Code regarding a religious bishop’s obligations of obedience and poverty, as well as the use of the religious habit upon his elevation to the episcopate. Particularly commendable is his archival research on the active and passive rights of religious bishops during their tenure and after retirement. Certainly, this work stands as a valuable contribution to canonical science.”

A member of the Salesian Province of Tiruchy (INT), Fr Arul Kumar Sebastian currently serves as Professor of Canon Law at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong. His work not only enriches the discipline of Canon Law but also serves as an inspiration for emerging theologians and religious scholars to engage deeply with the juridical and spiritual traditions of the Church.

By Br. John Avinash, SDB

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