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Don Bosco Matunga, Mumbai
Salesian Leaders Strengthen Governance and Communication at Mumbai Leadership Seminar
News reported by: Tej Prasarini Office
Leaders of Salesian communities, school principals, and parish priests of the Mumbai Province (INB) gathered at Don Bosco Provincial House, Matunga, from June 24 to 26 for a three-day leadership seminar to strengthen governance, communication, and pastoral ministry in the spirit of St. John Bosco. The seminar was animated by Fr. Fidel Orendain, SDB, General Councillor for Social Communication, who guided participants through interactive sessions on effective leadership, institutional governance, communication, and ministry in today's rapidly changing context.
The opening day stressed that governance is not merely administration but a pastoral ministry centred on service, mission, and accompaniment. Sessions also addressed crisis communication, sustainability, safeguarding, and collaboration with lay mission partners to advance the Salesian mission.
On the second day, during the Eucharist, Vice Provincial Fr. Robert Pen, SDB, reflected on the day's Gospel, reminding participants that authentic leadership is rooted in fidelity to God's will rather than in titles or positions of authority. He urged them to build their ministry on the "rock of Christ" rather than on the shifting sand of popularity.
Fr. Orendain's principal sessions focused on the Attitude, Knowledge, and Skills (AKS) framework for leadership development. Participants were encouraged to set concrete, measurable goals for personal growth and to define the leaders they aspired to become over the coming year.
A dedicated session on conflict management examined organisational, task, relationship, and process conflicts, highlighting their causes and practical approaches to resolution. A presentation on the Salesian Communication Protocol underscored that many institutional challenges stem from ineffective communication and described the ideal Salesian communicator as one who builds unity through presence, dialogue, and truth.
The concluding Eucharist, celebrated by Fr. Orendain, reflected on the healing of the leper in the Gospel of Matthew, emphasising that genuine leadership begins with encounter before offering solutions. Introducing the Japanese concept of Kaizen, he encouraged continuous, collaborative improvement as participants drafted a province-wide leadership manifesto.
The seminar concluded under the theme, "From goodwill to competence, from reaction to prevention." The closing session also featured the release of the fourth edition of a catechism book authored by Fr. Kenneth Pereira, SDB, and expressions of appreciation to Fr. Orendain, Fr. Satish Paul, and the Don Bosco Provincial House community for their hospitality.
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Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Year of publication: 2026
Available from: 4 March 2026
Pages: 928 pp., Paperback
