The Archdiocese of Bangalore conducted a three-day formation program for its young clergy last week, centering on Marriage Ministry and pastoral challenges facing families today.
Held at the FISI campus in Bangalore, the event aimed to equip priests with tools to accompany couples in navigating contemporary issues within the context of faith and Church teaching.
Archbishop Peter Machado, along with Auxiliary Bishops Arokiaraj Satis Kumar and Joseph Susainathan, attended the sessions and offered support to participants.
According to the Archdiocese, the program sought to “equip the clergy with deeper insights into marriage-related pastoral challenges and strengthen their role in supporting couples and families in the Church.”
The formation included a series of thematic sessions addressing evolving pastoral realities. Fr. Merlin Ambrose spoke on “Sexual Misconduct in Canon Law” and presented insights from the “Final Document of the Synod and Synodality,” underlining “the importance of synodality in building inclusive communities.”
Fr. Arnald Mahesh addressed “LGBTQ+ Issues and Marriage,” offering guidance on how clergy can approach such matters with sensitivity and care.
Bishop Joseph Susainathan led a session on “The Role of the Church in Strengthening Marriages,” emphasizing the Church’s duty to “fostering healthy and faith-filled relationships.”
Canonical and legal dimensions were tackled by Fr. Arockia Swamy Sebastian in his session on “Marriage Cases,” focusing on how priests can assist couples “facing difficulties within their marriages, particularly in legal and canonical aspects.”
He also facilitated group discussions, allowing clergy to share “experiences and pastoral approaches to handling marriage-related challenges.”
A notable component of the program was the session by Bishop Arokiaraj Satis Kumar on interfaith and international marriages.
The session, the Archdiocese noted, offered “valuable perspectives on how priests can guide couples navigating cultural and religious differences in their marital journey while staying rooted in their faith.”
The formation concluded on March 19 with the celebration of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church and protector of families.
On the same day, the young priests extended greetings to Bishop Susainathan in honor of his feast day, recognizing his “commitment to supporting the clergy in their pastoral duties.”
Reflecting on the three-day program, the Archdiocese said it “not only deepened the theological and pastoral understanding of the young priests but also fostered a renewed commitment to the vital ministry of marriage.”
The clergy, it added, left the program “empowered to better accompany couples in their journeys of faith and family life, ensuring the continued strength of the marriage ministry within the Archdiocese.”
