Conference of Religious of India Goa Unit Holds Major Superiors’ Annual Meeting at Pilar

Goa, January 18, 2026: The Conference of Religious of India (CRI), Goa Unit, convened the XIX Major Superiors’ Annual Meeting with diocesan heads, bringing together leaders of religious congregations serving in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. The meeting was held at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre.

The gathering began with the lighting of the traditional lamp by Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman, in the presence of Sr. Fatima Rodrigues FMCK, Superior General of FMCK; Fr. Joaquim Fernandes SVD, Episcopal Vicar for the Religious; Sr. Faria Barretto HC, Superior General of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Christ; Fr. Gabriel Fernandes OFM Cap., President of CRI (Goa Unit); and Sr. Daisy Kunnathuparambil JMJ, Vice-President of CRI (Goa Unit).

Addressing the assembly on the theme “Synodality: A Journey of Hope, Harmony and Communion,” Bishop Fernandes called on religious congregations to deepen collaboration within the local Church. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding Catholic educational institutions, strengthening participation in parish life and catechetical formation, and working together to respond to ecological concerns.

Participants later engaged in group discussions, reflecting on concrete pathways for living synodality. The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in formation programmes, education, and social apostolates within the Archdiocese. The groups also examined the active participation of religious in diocesan initiatives such as monthly meetings, retreats, live-in programmes, and pastoral enrichment efforts. Reflections further centred on the call for religious to continue as Apostles of Hope beyond the Jubilee Year.

Fr. Joaquim Rebelo SFX, Provincial Superior of the Goa Province of the Society of Pilar, moderated the discussions, which yielded several practical suggestions to enhance synodal collaboration and mission.

Fr. Henry Falcão reflected on Dilexi Te, the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to the poor. He stressed that the Church’s mission cannot be fulfilled if the poor are marginalised. Urging participants to evaluate their programmes through the lens of their impact on the poor, he referred to the Archbishop’s pastoral letter and the emerging diocesan pastoral plan, noting the need to remodel or reimagine certain Church structures in response to present pastoral realities.

A session on “Ways Forward in Collaboration with the Diocese” was presented by Fr. Clive Telles, Provincial Superior of the Salesian Konkan Province. Sr. Justina Vaz HC, Joint Treasurer of CRI (Goa Unit), presented a report on the Jubilee celebrations organised by the CRI Goa Unit.

The programme opened with a welcome by Fr. Gabriel Fernandes OFM Cap., followed by a prayer dance by the Sisters of Mater Dei. Bishop Fernandes felicitated the Executive Committee. Br. Vinod Reddy SG and Sr. Ayres Raimundo anchored the programme, while Br. Charles D’ Souza CFC proposed the vote of thanks.

Conference of Religious of India Goa Unit Holds Major Superiors’ Annual Meeting at Pilar

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