TCBC Holds Special Meeting in Hyderabad to Discuss Key Church and Social Issues

The Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Council (TCBC) held its Extraordinary Meeting from September 1 to 3, 2026, at St. John’s Regional Seminary in Ramanthapur, Hyderabad, bringing together the Bishops of the Telugu Region. Syro-Malabar Bishops also participated in the first day of the meeting. The three-day gathering served as an important platform for reflection, discussion and decision-making on major pastoral, social, legal, administrative and ecclesial matters concerning the Catholic Church and the Christian community in the Telugu Region. A special session on the proposed National March for Life 2027 was conducted by Most Rev. Francis Kalist, Archbishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. The session focused on the significance of promoting and protecting human life and on the Church’s role in raising awareness about life-related issues. Following the deliberations, the proposal to host the National March for Life 2027 in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad on August 7 and 8, 2027, was considered. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Bishops to reflect on various pastoral challenges and social concerns affecting the faithful and the wider Christian community in the Telugu-speaking region. Matters related to the life and mission of the Church, legal concerns, administration and ecclesial affairs were also taken up for discussion. The Extraordinary Meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration and collective decision-making among the Bishops in addressing the pastoral and social needs of the Church. The deliberations were aimed at strengthening the Church’s mission and responding effectively to emerging challenges faced by Christian communities in the region. The meeting concluded after three days of discussions, with the Bishops focusing on strengthening pastoral ministry, promoting the welfare of the faithful and addressing important issues concerning the Church and society.