Kochi: The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) assembled for its much-anticipated annual Monsoon Conference on June 3 and 4 at the Pastoral Orientation Centre (POC) in Palarivattom. This significant gathering united bishops from all 32 dioceses across Kerala, providing a vital forum to deliberate on pressing ecclesiastical concerns alongside wider social and political challenges impacting the Christian community in the state.

Under the stewardship of KCBC President Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the conference opened with a solemn tribute to the late Pope Francis, whose leadership left a profound global imprint. The bishops collectively reaffirmed their allegiance and support for the newly enthroned Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing unity and spiritual continuity within the Church.

Throughout the two-day session, discussions were robust and wide-ranging, reflecting the council’s commitment to both spiritual renewal and proactive engagement with contemporary societal issues. Initiatives aimed at deepening the Church’s mission through renewal programs, alongside recommendations addressing public policy concerns that affect the faithful and the broader community alike.

This annual conclave underscores the KCBC’s pivotal role as a guiding body for Kerala’s Catholic Church, balancing tradition with the demands of an evolving social landscape.