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Bhopal : 7/2/2012: The first general body meeting of the Conference of Diocesan Priests of India,(CDPI) Madhya Pradesh Chapter began in Bhopal with a call to open self to the reality of celibate life. The topic of celibacy has a added importance in the background of the issues faced by the priests around the world.

While inaugurating the four days meeting CDPI National President Fr. Francis Scaria said, The sense of competition is affecting the priests too, our dioceses and parishes are becoming increasingly centers of administrative units rather than homes for everyone and there by loosing their community dimension.” He said that we need to come out from our individual senses. CDPI has become a voice of the diocesan priests.”

Key note address was delivered by Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Pascal Topno. He said, “the diocesan priests are the real leaders. We have taken an option for life long celibate life. Celibacy is the highest expression of discipleship. One must do serious prayers to experience the joy of celibate life.”

Main local organizer Fr. Maria Francis welcomed all the participants from the state. He said, “ there are around hundred priests partaking in the meeting. The meeting has organized a three day training on Celibate life. It is also being attended by a few participants from the dioceses of Chhattisgarh.”  Director of Anugraha,  Fr. Dr. I Wilson is the main resource person for the training Programme. Along with him Fr. Dr. Davis George of Jabalpur diocese too will be delivering talks on the same topics.

CDPI M.P State Secretary Fr. Dr. Dominic Thomas called upon all priests to have an active role in the talks and discussion on the important issue of celibate life.

It is being noted that all the six Latin dioceses of Madhya Pradesh state except Gwaliar diocese is taking part in good numbers.  In the past there had been a concern raised by the Bishops of M.P regarding the increasing influence of CDPI in Madhya Pradesh. An organizer with anonymity said, “We had difficulty in organizing this meeting due to the cold responses from the Bishops in Madhya Pradesh.  The number of attendance in the meeting has given us a hope that CDPI will grow in Madhya Pradesh.”

The three days training in Celibacy is to seen as an effort by the CDPI to face the challenges that are coming up day by day. The West and some African countries are facing serious issues related to celibacy. The CDPI has initiated steps to strengthen the diocesan priests in the faith of celibacy. The meeting is to end with a general body meeting of the CDPI of the Madhya Pradesh Chapter.