World News

By Fr. Merlin Ambrose

Feb. 15, 2026 : In a landmark event for the Church in India and beyond, the Commission for Canon Law of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) celebrated the successful conclusion of its international one-year programme, “Diploma in Canon Law for the Laity for a Synodal Church.” The convocation ceremony, held in Bangalore on February 8, 2026, marked the culmination of a year-long journey of intensive study and ecclesial reflection.

The programme, which was inaugurated on June 7, 2025, achieved remarkable international reach, bringing together a diverse cohort of 264 participants. The graduates represented sixteen countries, spanning nearly every continent, including India, Malaysia, the USA, Australia, Italy, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Kuwait, Zambia, England, Ireland, Canada, and the UAE. This high level of global engagement highlights a growing desire among the faithful to understand the juridical structures that support a synodal Church.

Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. S. Antonysamy, Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Canon Law and Metropolitan Archbishop of Madurai, presided over the ceremony and conferred the diplomas. The event was graced by the presence of Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, and Rev. Dr. Merlin Rengith Ambrose, the Commission’s Executive Secretary and the primary architect of the course.

The initiative was originally launched under the patronage of His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, President of the CCBI. During the 2025 inauguration, the Cardinal emphasised that the tria munera Christi, the threefold mission of Christ as priest, prophet, and king, is not the exclusive domain of the clergy but is a shared responsibility of the laity.

The curriculum was designed by Fr. Merlin to bridge the gap between law and practical pastoral application. Participants were challenged by a rigorous academic schedule, which included the submission of 50 pages of cumulative research assignments.
The faculty comprised an elite panel of Bishops, esteemed Professors of Canon Law, and prominent canonists from India and abroad. This diversity ensured that students received a comprehensive education rooted in both the universal law of the Church and local pastoral realities.

The graduates, comprising laity, religious, and clergy, expressed a renewed sense of mission. Many participants described the course as an “eye-opening experience” that clarified the rights and responsibilities of the faithful within the Church.

“These graduates are now poised to serve as advocates for a synodal Church,” stated Fr. Merlin. "By understanding the legal framework of our faith, they can more effectively enrich their local parishes and dioceses, ensuring that governance and pastoral care are conducted with justice and transparency."

As these 264 advocates return to their respective ministries across the globe, the CCBI Commission for Canon Law continues its mission to foster a “culture of synodality,” where the law serves as a vital instrument for the salvation of souls and the renewal of the Church.