Benedict Mar Gregorios, India’s Renaissance Man
A profile of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Archbishop of Trivandrum.By, Sister Christian Molidor, R.S.M.Benedict Mar Gregorios is a man who hurries in a heat of hope!The Syro-Malankara Archbishop of Trivandrum is an elegant, thin man in perpetual motion. When introduced, he mocked his wispy beard by telling us that children...
New Superior General elected
Father Jerome Peedikaparambil has been elected superior general of the Order of Imitation of Christ (OIC).Father Peedikaparambil succeeds Father Louis Moolaveetil, who was shot dead by unidentified people in the central Indian town of Nagpur, about 600 kilometers east of Bombay, a few months ago.He was elected Feb. 19...
Superior General, Fr. Louis Moolaveetil’s death shocks Church
A pall of gloom fell on the Church following the murder of Imitation of Christ Superior General Father Louis Moolaveetil in Nagpur, central India, Sept 17.Father Moolaveetil and Father Mathew Thuruthil were on their way to the airport when two unidentified youths on a motorbike shot at them. They...
Bishops’ meet begins with call for reconciliation and communion
A Syro Malankara rite Mass attended by nearly 5,000 people Nov. 9 inaugurated the biennial meeting of the Catholic Bishops´ Conference of India (CBCI) here in the northeastern state of Meghalaya.Celebrated by CBCI president Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios Varghese Thangalathil of Trivandrum and concelebrated by bishops of the other...
Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios acclaims draft of new canon law for oriental churches
The Canon Law for Oriental Churches now awaiting papal approval will give greater autonomy to member Churches, claims Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios of the Syro-Malankara archdiocese of Trivandrum.In a message aired Nov. 19 by Vatican Radio, the Oriental prelate, president of the Catholic Bishops´ Conference of India, told listeners...
Unity in Church and State is the main task of the new CBCI President
Promoting unity in the Church and in the state is one of the priorities of the president of the Catholic Bishops´ Conference of India (CBCI), according to Syro-Malankara Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios of Trivandrum, who was elected to CBCI presidency in late April.Unity was a major theme of the...
Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregarios is head of Bishop’s conference
Archbishop Benedict Varghese Gregorios Thangalathil of Trivandrum, an Oriental-rite bishop, was overwhelmingly elected president of the Catholic Bishops´ Conference of India (CBCI) April 16.Archbishop Mar Gregorios, who had served as CBCI vice president, succeeds Archbishop Simon Pimenta of Bombay, a Latin-rite prelate. About 98 Latin-rite and 25 Oriental-rite bishops...
Pope John Paul II Upholds Equal Status for Syro-Malankara and Other Catholic Rites in India
New Delhi, July 14, 1987 – In a historic move, Pope John Paul II has issued a declaration affirming equal rights and status to the Syro-Malankara, Syro-Malabar, and Latin rites of the St. Thomas Christians, a community tracing its roots back to the apostolic times. This decision underscores the...
Address Of John Paul II During The Prayer Meeting At The Airport Of Trivandrum
Trivandrum (India)Saturday, 8 February 1986Dearly Beloved in Christ,1. My pilgrim steps have brought me to Trivandrum!To you, my brothers and sisters of this part of Kerala, I repeat the greeting of the Apostle Paul: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" ....
Syro-Malabar Church Seeks Autonomy Amidst Pope’s Visit, Echoing Syro-Malankara Aspirations
Cochin, India, February 1, 1986 – As Pope John Paul II's visit to India commences, the Syro-Malabar Church, along with the Syro-Malankara Church, eagerly anticipates the Pontiff's arrival. Both Churches, rooted in the apostolic tradition of St. Thomas, are looking towards a future of greater ecclesiastical independence from Rome.The...
