Indian Religious re-elect CRI head

Mangalore Today News Network

May 11, 2015: CRI - Conference of Religious of India, about 550 superiors and provincials of religious congregations during their annual meeting this week re-elected Salesian Father V. M. Thomas as president.

Father Thomas, provincial superior of Guwahati, was re-elected the national president of CRI for a second three year term in Bangalore May 3.  The meeting deliberated on innovations to give consecrated life greater effectiveness, as Pope Francis has dedicated this year to consecrated life.

The CRI has 334 congregations as members, with 822 major superiors representing more than 125,000 Catholic religious brothers, priests and nuns in India.  Most of the schools, hospitals, social service centers and other institutions of the Catholic Church are managed by this group.

Almost 33 years ago, another Salesian provincial superior of Guwahati province, late Bishop Mathai Kochuparampil of Diphu was elected CRI national president. 

 “I did not expect that I will be appointed again, but it is an honour. It is also an opportunity for me to serve in a more meaningful manner,” said the Father VM Thomas on his re-election.  The confreres of the Guwahati province congratulated their Provincial Superior on being elected the CRI National President for the second term.