Kurnool Diocese Gives Commission Secretaries Broader Pastoral Responsibilities

The Diocese of Kurnool has given its commission secretaries a broader pastoral role, describing them as pastoral animators, facilitators of synodality and bridge-builders between the diocese and wider Church structures. The new guidelines were signed by Bishop Johannes Gorantla of Kurnool and published in the September 2026 issue of the diocesan newsletter Kurnool Vani. The guidelines state that diocesan commissions have an important role in animating, coordinating and implementing the pastoral mission of the Church. According to the guidelines, a commission secretary is not simply an organizer. The secretary is expected to inspire and mobilize people, listen to pastoral realities and help strengthen collaboration among clergy, religious and lay faithful. The secretaries will also serve as official representatives of the Diocese of Kurnool in their respective sectors at regional and national levels. Their responsibilities include maintaining communication with Church bodies, receiving and sharing pastoral guidelines and participating in meetings, seminars and workshops. Implementing Pastoral Directives Within the diocese, commission secretaries will be responsible for adapting and implementing pastoral directives received from higher Church bodies in accordance with the diocesan pastoral plan and under the guidance of the bishop. They are expected to prepare annual or three-year plans, obtain the necessary approval and form teams or sub-commissions involving clergy, religious and qualified lay faithful. The guidelines also encourage greater co-responsibility and participation of lay Catholics in the mission of the Church. Secretaries are expected to organize programmes at diocesan, deanery and parish levels and regularly review pastoral initiatives. The responsibilities cover a wide range of pastoral areas, including Scripture, migrants, women, liturgy, healthcare, family and laity, youth, marginalized communities, ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, vocations, prison ministry, doctrine and theology. Financial and Administrative Responsibilities The commission secretaries will also have administrative and financial responsibilities. They are required to submit annual reports covering their activities and finances, participate in diocesan pastoral review meetings and collaborate with other commissions, parishes and Church institutions. They are also expected to prepare budgets, manage funds responsibly, document expenditures and help mobilize resources within the diocese. The guidelines emphasize that the faithful should be regarded not only as donors but also as partners in the mission of the Church, contributing their time, talents and resources. Bishop Gorantla said the effectiveness of the commissions depends on the dedication, creativity and pastoral commitment of their secretaries and teams. The guidelines encourage them to remain rooted in prayer and guided by Scripture and Church teaching while working toward a participatory and missionary Diocese of Kurnool. The document concludes by expressing hope that the work of the commission secretaries and their teams will contribute to the growth of a synodal Church, encouraging the faithful to walk together in faith, hope and charity.