13th Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church concluded

Trivandrum: The 13th Ordinary Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church concluded at the Catholicate Centre, Trivandrum on 08 March 2012. Archbishop His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos, His Excellencies Most Rev. Dr. Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas, Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios, Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Mar Paulos, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Most Rev. Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Anthonios, Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Mar Irenios and Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Stephanos were present in the Synod, presided over by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos. The Holy Episcopal Synod discussed mainly on the means of actualizing the follow-up programmes of the First Major Archiepiscopal Assembly of the Church. The guidelines for the formation of the Suvisheshasangam, reorganization of the Synodal Commissions, the evaluation of the Apostolic activities of the Church in Indian and abroad were discussed. The Holy Episcopal Synod evaluated that the social commitment and the dedication of the people who are working the ecclesiastical institutions as important and also decided to ensure reasonable wages.

The Synod also extended prayerful condolence of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church on the demise of Sri. P.K. Narayana Panicker, president of Nair Service Society and Dr Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, the metropolitan of the Niranam diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church. The Synod also expressed the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church’s prayerful wishes to the new Cardinal His Eminence Mar George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and Rt. Rev. Monsignor Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, first prelate of new diocese of Faridabad for the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church expressed its deep sentiment on the killing of the fishermen and extended its condolences to bereaved family members. The church also requested Governments at Central and State to initiate urgent steps to ensure the safety of the fishermen and fishing boats venturing out to the sea for fishing.