New series of “Council Notebooks” presented at General Assembly of Indian bishops

The study of the four conciliar Constitutions in preparation for the Jubilee 2025 is carrying on apace in the local Churches round the world. During the 36th General Assembly of the Episcopal Conference of India, the bishops of the Latin Church, the Syro-Malabar Church and the Syro-Malankara Church,  carried out an in-depth analysis of the 34 volumes of the Quaderni del Concilio (Council Notebooks) series. The volumes have been translated and published in English by the Conference, in collaboration with the ATC publishing house.

The bishops met from 31 January to 7 February 2024 in the premises of the St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences in Bengaluru, to reflect on the Church's response to the challenges of current events and the issue of artificial intelligence.

Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop of the Eparchy of Thrissur and President of the Indian Episcopal Conference (CBCI), underlined that "the Council Notebooks series represents a journey of faith, offering summaries, useful background reading and reflections on the Second Vatican Council and its four Constitutions. By reading these booklets and reflecting, we can also look to the Jubilee with renewed hope and determination."

Yesu Karunanidhi, India’s national coordinator for the2025 Jubilee, put the study of the "Council Notebooks" in context, and presented the salient points of the short volumes: “The texts show the depth of the commitment people have to living the Gospel in the various different contexts of the world. As we prepare for the Jubilee, the insights from these Notebooks will guide our collective discernment and inspire renewed efforts to carry out the mission of the Church."

The Holy Year calls the Catholic Church to a period of reflection, celebration, and renewal. “The study of the documents of the Council will play a fundamental role in shaping the discussions and initiatives of this Jubilee Year, providing a basis for the future path of the Church in India”, noted Archbishop George Antonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore and Vice President of the CBCI.