The Pontifical Mission Societies in Los Angeles

Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, #1934

The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) is the canonical Episcopal Conference for the Latin Church in India. It is the fourth-largest Conference of Bishops in the Universal Church. Established in 1988, the CCBI today comprises 132 dioceses, grouped into 14 regions. It works through various commissions, including the Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy, and Religious (VSCR).

The CCBI is blessed with 12,500 diocesan clergy, 9,500 religious priests, and 58,000 women religious, along with 580 religious congregations and their Generals/Provincials. We have 28 major seminaries, 95 religious study houses, and 21 Propaedeutic formation houses. Almost every diocese and religious province has its own juniorate formation houses. India continues to be blessed with abundant priestly vocations, though there is a noticeable decline in vocations among women religious.

Vocation Promoters
Spiritual Fathers meet
Minor Seminary Rectors

Focus of the Commission (VSCR)

  • Promotion, nurturing, and sustaining vocations among young people, especially tribal communities, for priesthood and consecrated life.
  • Formation of Formators in four key areas: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.
  • Ongoing formation of diocesan clergy and religious to keep the missionary spirit alive.

Rationale for the Mission Appeal Project

The Church today urgently needs priests and religious who are deeply rooted in Christ’s mission. Some regions in India are true centers of missionary activity, yet vocations from these areas require strong support and careful formation. While vocations flourish, many are lost due to poor early guidance, inadequate accompaniment, and untrained formators.

This project aims to address these gaps, ensuring the future missionaries are well-formed, mature, and ready to serve the Church and society.

Diocesan Clergy
Juniorate Religious formators
Minor Seminary Rectors
Rectors of North East
Major Seminary Rectors
Seminarians in North East Tura
Propaedeutic Formators

Mission Project Focus

  1. Supporting Tribal Children: Financial support for education, early identification, and accompaniment of students interested in consecrated life.
  2. Vocation Maturity Programs: Camps and exposure programs to help candidates discern and grow in their calling.
  3. Upskilling Vocation Promoters: Training and providing tools to guide and accompany candidates effectively.
  4. Training Formators: Special training for formators, especially at the Propaedeutic and Juniorate levels.
  5. Ongoing Formation: Supporting young and junior clergy. Over 75% of our priests are under 50 years of age, and they need strong accompaniment and pastoral support.

Mission Fund Allocation

  • Financial support for children’s education — a strong foundation for their integral development.
  • Skill development workshops and training for Vocation Promoters at regional and zonal levels.
  • Training programs to empower Formators.
  • Travel assistance for Vocation Promoters.
  • Financial support for deserving candidates.

Conclusion
This project is a beautiful opportunity to invest in the future of the Church. By supporting vocations and formation, you are sowing seeds for a vibrant, missionary Church in India and beyond. Your generous support will make a real difference. Together, let us nurture the future missionaries of Christ across the universe.

Support the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, #1934

You can support the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, #1934 through your prayers and monetary donation by making a check payable to THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH, 3424 Wilshire Blvd 3rd Fl., Los Angeles CA 90010, memo #1934. You may also donate online by clicking the donate button. When making an online donation, reference #1934 in the Memo box. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Mission Cooperative Plan

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