A New Light in the North: The Inauguration of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission in Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom – There are moments in ecclesial life when geography bends to grace, and a quiet corner of a distant land becomes part of a greater ecclesial story. Such a moment occurred on Sunday, 30 March 2025, as the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church marked a historic step in her mission across the British Isles with the inauguration and blessing of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission in Leeds.

The ceremony took place at St. Theresa’s Church, nestled within the St. John Henry Newman Parish Campus in Cross Gates, LS15 7JY, Leeds. The occasion, solemn yet deeply joyful, was graced by the presence of His Excellency Bishop Marcus Stock, the Latin Rite Bishop of the Diocese of Leeds, who presided over the official inauguration, symbolising the warm fraternity between the Latin Church in England and the Syro-Malankara Catholic faithful.

The Holy Qurbono was offered by Very Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Thadathil, the Special Pastor and Ecclesiastical Coordinator for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the United Kingdom. During the liturgical celebration, he formally read the decree of establishment, declaring the formation of the St Bernabas Malankara Mission, Leeds, named after the saintly companion of the Apostle Paul—a fitting choice for a mission called to walk alongside a larger ecclesial body with humility, courage, and Gospel zeal.

The liturgical reception and agape that followed were moments of heartfelt fraternity, drawing together Malankara faithful from across the UK Region. This is no mere administrative expansion; it is a testimony to the living faith of our migrant families, whose deep roots in the West Syriac tradition now find new soil in English parish life.

This newly established mission will offer Holy Qurbono on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 2:30 PM, extending an open invitation to all Syro-Malankara Catholic faithful residing in and around Leeds to participate in the liturgy and community life.

As we look to the future, we give thanks to God for this blessed beginning. We remain grateful to the Diocese of Leeds, especially to Bishop Marcus Stock, for their support and openness. And we invoke the intercession of St. Bernabas, patron of the new mission, that this community may grow in charity, unity, and the fearless proclamation of the faith handed down to us from the apostles.

📍 Address for the faithful nearby:
St. Theresa’s Church, St. John Henry Newman Parish Campus, Cross Gates, LS15 7JY, Leeds, United Kingdom

🗓️ Regular Services:
2nd and 4th Sundays of Every Month
🕝 Time: 2:30 PM

We encourage all Malankara Catholic faithful residing in and around Leeds to attend the Holy Qurbono and join in the spiritual and communal life of this mission.