On (Wednesday) November 9, 2022, Cardinal Oswald Gracias the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) released a special Coffee Table Book on Catholic Church engagement at COVID-19 at the 35th Biennial Plenary Session of CBCI, Bengaluru. 

The coffee table book titled “Courageously Innovative: Catholic Church @ Covid-19” showcases the exemplary contribution of the different institutions and organizations of the Catholic Church during COVID-19. The book was compiled by Caritas India, the social development arm of the CBCI which includes the engagement of Caritas India, the Catholic Health Association of India, the Conference of Religious India, the CBCI Commissions, the Sister Doctors Forum of India, and the Catholic Relief Services India.

The book was released during a Caritas India Diamond Jubilee launching session of the plenary. The launching was done by Oswald Cardinal Gracias, President of CBCI; Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Syro Malabar Church & Ernakulam- Angamaly; Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop of Syro Malankara Church & Trivandrum; Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa & Daman; Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad; Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura, Chairman, Caritas India; Most Rev. Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal and Archbishop Felix Machado, Secretary General, CBCI

“Caritas is the heart of CBCI, the face of the CBCI and apostolate of Church in India,” shared Cardinal Gracias in his message and recalled his association and inspiration behind this Coffee Table Book. He praised Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, the Executive Director of Caritas India for his able leadership in bringing out this coffee table book and said that future generations would look at this document as how the Catholic Church in India reacted during COVID-19. He appreciated Caritas India and wished to be the compassionate face of Jesus.

Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church quoted Cardinal Gracias words about Caritas as a Crown and glory of the Church in India. He further added, “Caritas has become the heritage of Church in India”. He said we are witnessing God’s love through the activities of Caritas India. He released the Caritas India COVID-19 report “New Hopes, New Horizons”. 

Prior to this, Fr. Paul presented the biennial report of Caritas India in the plenary highlighting the major highlights including the COVID-19 humanitarian response, thematic interventions, new initiatives, and recognition from national and international bodies. He presented the Indian context of 4Cs i.e. Covid, Conflict, Climate and Cost and relevant solutions under 4Ss i.e. Solidarity, Social Friendship, Social Justice and Spirituality. He also informed the august gathering about getting UN status for the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

All the Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops applauded Caritas India for the dedicated service towards the poor and needy and wished to continue the good work in future.