Bishop highlights Church’s identity through the Nicene Creed

CHANDRAPUR, Maharashtra (Indian Catholic News) — Syro Malabar Bishop Ephrem Nariculam of Chanda has called on Catholics to reflect more deeply on the Nicene Creed’s teachings so they can strengthen their faith and live it faithfully in daily life.

In a pastoral letter issued during the diocese’s observance of the Year of the Creed, the bishop focused on the four marks of the Church — one, holy, catholic and apostolic — describing them as essential characteristics established by Christ and professed by believers worldwide.

“The Nicene Creed categorically states that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic,” Bishop Nariculam wrote. “These describe the essential marks of the Church and they articulate the fundamental nature of the Church established by Christ.”

The First Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine, was the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church. It produced the Nicene Creed, affirming the divinity of Christ and establishing a foundation for Christian orthodoxy. The Catholic Church recognises the 1,700th anniversary as a moment to renew commitment to unity and shared faith.

The bishop encouraged Catholics to take pride in their membership in the Church and remember the promises of salvation received through baptism. “We shall be proud Christians for God has made us worthy to be the members of this Church,” he wrote, recalling Christ’s assurances: “I go to prepare a place for you” and “today you will be with me in paradise.”

Reflecting on the Church’s unity and holiness

Explaining the Church’s unity, Bishop Nariculam said Christians are called to be one in faith, worship and mission, reflecting the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Drawing on St. Paul’s image of the Church as the Body of Christ, he emphasized that believers have different roles but remain united in a common purpose.

The bishop highlighted Christ’s command “To love one another” and reminded Catholics that “By your love they will know that you are my disciples.”

Addressing the Church’s holiness, Bishop Nariculam said the Church is “set apart for God’s purposes” and receives its holiness from Christ, who continues to sanctify believers through the sacraments.

While acknowledging human weakness and sin, he stressed that all Christians are called to pursue holiness through prayer, charity, repentance and participation in the sacramental life.

Quoting the Gospel of Matthew, he urged believers to heed Christ’s call: “Be perfect therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect.” He added that Christians should become “salt and light” in the world, giving witness to their faith through their actions and daily conduct.

Universal mission rooted in apostolic faith

Bishop Nariculam also reflected on the Church’s catholicity, describing it as universal and open to all peoples, cultures and nations. “The Church is for all people without exclusion,” he wrote, noting that Christ commissioned the Church to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.

He said the Church’s universality allows for diversity of traditions and liturgical expressions while preserving unity in faith.

Turning to the Church’s apostolic nature, the bishop explained that the Church remains rooted in the mission entrusted by Christ to the apostles and continues that mission through apostolic succession. He said the Church is apostolic because it is founded on the apostles, preserves their teaching and remains guided by their successors, the bishops.

Bishop Nariculam also pointed to the pope and the chair of St. Peter as visible signs of unity within the global Church, helping preserve the integrity of the faith.

Concluding the letter, the bishop invited Catholics to use the Year of the Creed as an opportunity for spiritual renewal. “In this year of the Creed, as we reflect on its teachings, we are called to deepen our faith, faithfully recite the Creed, and live it in our daily lives,” he wrote.

The bishop, whose pastoral letter was published April 11, also asked priests and pastoral leaders to explain the four marks of the Church in local languages and help the faithful apply them in their daily lives and Christian witness.

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