Sunthroniso of Bp. Thomas Mar Antonios as the first bishop of Pune-Khadki tomorrow

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Sunthroniso of Bp. Thomas Mar Antonios as the first bishop of Pune-Khadki tomorrow

Bishop Thomas Mar Antonios will be installed as the first bishop (Sunthroniso) of the newly created exarchate of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at St Mary’s Cathedral, Bhau Patil Road in Khadki on Saturday, May 30 morning.

The formal installation of the bishop will be attended by Major Archbishop Catholicas Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, who is also the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the Vatican’s ambassador in India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre and some bishops from other dioceses in the country.

Pope Francis had established the new exarchate of St Ephrem of Khadki on March 26, this year, for the Malayalam-speaking members of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

Roman Catholic Church recognises 21 rites worldwide and three of them are in India, namely Latin rite, Syro-Malabar rite and Syro-Malankara rite.

Fr Mathew Varikkattu, general convener of the exarchate installation, has said that some special events are planned to mark this momentous milestone in the history of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. Hectic preparations are on at St Mary’s Cathedral in Khadki, which will be the headquarters of the newly created exarchate or diocese of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church having six districts in south India under its jurisdiction.

The exarchate covers Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, together with parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Till now, there was no Syro-Malankara ecclesial circumscription in south India.

CEREMONY
The ceremony to install Thomas Mar Antonios as the first bishop of Khadki exarchate will commence with reception to the special guests at 8.30 am, followed by concelebrated holy qurbono with liturgy of Sunthroniso (installation). There will be a public meeting at 11.30 am, followed by agape (community meal).

 

Credits: Sakaal Times

Visit of Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios Valiyavilayil, OIC to the Catholic Diocese of Nashik

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Visit of Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios Valiyavilayil, OIC to the Catholic Diocese of Nashik

The Holy Father has established the new Exarchate of St. Ephrem of Khadki for the Syro-Malankara and has appointed as its first Apostolic Exarch His Lordship Thomas Mar Anthonios Valiyavilayil, OIC. The installation ceremony is scheduled to be held in Pune on 30th May 2015. The first Exarch will have his residence and chancery in the city of Khadki, Pune, in the complex which includes St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, which will serve as the new cathedral.

His Lordship Thomas Mar Anthonios Valiyavilayil, OIC, made a personal visit to Bishop Lourdes Daniel in Nashik on 14th May, 2015. He was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Scharia Vishal, Parish Priest of St. Thomas Malankara Church and Rev. Fr. George, SAC, from Palloti Dham both from Nashik. The Two Bishop spent few moments of prayer in the Bishop’s House Chapel. His Lordship Thomas Mar Anthonios was felicitated by Bishop Lourdes Daniel.

Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas to be installed as the First Bishop of the Eparchy of Gurgaon today

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Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas to be installed as the First Bishop of the Eparchy of Gurgaon today

The latest diocese of the Syro-Malankara Church will be officially opened today in Delhi in a day-long program that includes a public meeting attended by officials of the federal and state governments.

Federal defense Minister Monohar Parrikar and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal are scheduled to address the afternoon public meeting along with Deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha P. J. Kurian.

During the function, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, the head of the Church will hand over a check of 500,000 rupees to Parrikar to the Prime Minister’s relief fund to help the quake-affected people in Nepal.

A three-hour long liturgy prior to the public meeting will also see the installation of Bishop Jacob Mar Bernabas as the head Delhi-Gurgaon diocese that was announced March 26. The new diocese covers 22 states of the northeast region of India.

With the announcement of the diocese in Delhi and a new exarchate in Pune, the Malankara Church has “achieved an all India jurisdiction for ecclesial administration,” said Cardinal Cleemis.

Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the apostolic nuncio in India, will address the gathering, along with Latin rite Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi and Syro-Malabar Bishop Kuriakose Bharanikulngara of Faridabad.
The diocesan area has some 2,000 families of this Kerala-based oriental rite that traces is roots to St. Thomas the apostle, who according to a tradition landed in Kerala in the first century.

Although originally based in Kerala, the members of the Church are now spread across the world. The migrant community in Delhi and surrounding areas are engaged in social welfare activities of the poor such as feeding the hungry, educating the poor and nursing the infirm, officials said at a press conference Thursday.

The new diocese will help expand the community’s social service activities for the development of the nation, said Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis, the head of the Church at the press conference.

“The focus will be more on slum dwellers, construction workers, homeless people and those who have no facilities for education and health care,” said Father Varghese Mattamana, the coordinator of the diocesan activities.

Credits: UCAN News

A New Diocese in Gurgaon, Delhi and a New Exarchate in Kirkee-Pune for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

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A New Diocese in Gurgaon, Delhi and a New Exarchate in Kirkee-Pune for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, the present Apostolic Visitor, is the new Bishop in Gurgaon, Delhi.
  • Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios, the present Curia Bishop, is the new Bishop for the Kirkee-Pune Exharchate.
  • The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church achieved All India Jurisdiction for ecclesial administration with this announcement.
  • The Decree of Pope Francis making these provisions was announced at 4:30 P.M. in Trivandrum and also was simultaneously made public in Vatican and Delhi.
  • According to Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Bava: “A long cherished dream of Mar Ivanios is fulfilled with this announcement.”
  • The announcement came during the Birth Centenary year of Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios who initiated the missionary work of the Syro-Malankara Catholic outside Kerala.
  • Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Bava expressed Church’s gratitude to Pope Francis, the Oriental Congregation, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and the Latin Hierarchy of India.

Trivandrum: Pope Francis has erected a new Diocese in Gurgaon, Delhi and an Exarchate in Kirkee-Pune for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India. Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas is appointed the first Bishop of the Gurgaon Diocese and Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios is appointed the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Kirkee-Pune. This announcement was made public at 4: 30 PM (IST) and the Decree was also read in the same time at Vatican and Delhi. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos made the announcement at St. Mary’s Cathedral Church. The Synodal Secretary of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Thomas Mar Koorilos read the Decree of Pope Francis during the ceremony.

Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas is the present Apostolic Visitor to the faithful who live outside of the territorial jurisdiction of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios is the present Curia Bishop who coordinates the works of the central administrative center (the Catholicate Center) of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. With the establishment of the new Diocese and Exarchate, Pope Francis has granted the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, ecclesiastical authority for the whole territory in India.

The new Gurgaon Diocese is spread over 22 States in the North-East region of India. The Kirkee-Pune Diocese is spread over six States except Kerala in the South. Now, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church has two Exarchates, seven Dioceses, one Archdiocese, besides the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum. There are sixteen institutions in the new Diocese including two colleges, three higher secondary schools and two high schools. At present, sixteen priests who come from various Dioceses and Bethany Congregation, render their services. The twenty-nine religious sisters comprise of Bethany, Daughters of Mary and Holy Spirit Congregations. The PrechodanaSocial Service Society in Delhi provides free luncheons to those who are living in the streets of Delhi.

In the new Exarchate there are twenty-seven parishes that are taken care of by twenty-one priests. Three Benthany Ashrams, thirteen Convents comprising of thirty-eight religious sisters belonging to various congregations also work in this area. Eighteen institutions offer various kinds of services including two colleges, three higher secondary schools and four high schools.

Gurgaon Diocese is established under the name of St. John Chrysostem (the Greek name for Mar Ivanios) and the Exarchate is named after the Syriac Father, St. Ephraem. St. Mary’s Church in Neb Sarai, Delhi is the temporary Cathedral Church for the Gurgaon Diocese. St. Mary’s Church in Kirkee-Pune is the Cathedral of the new Exarchate.

The priests, religious and the faithful who gathered at St. Mary’s Cathedral witnessed an unforgettable historical moment unfolding with this announcement there. After the 1930 reunion, under the leadership of Servant of God Mar Ivanios, the Church witnessed a great historical moment when St. John Paul II raised her to a Major Archiepiscopal Church. Pope Benedict XVI elevated Major Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Catholicos to a Cardinal of the Catholic Church in 2012. Now Pope Francis has made decision on a matter the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church was praying for a long time. Mar Ivanios dreamed of a Malankara Church who has Canonical Autonomy and also of having authority to spread the love of Christ to the whole of India. According to the words of Baselios Cardinal Cleemis – these two drams have been fulfilled with this announcement. And it also adds to the joy that this decision came during the Birth Centenary year of Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios who tirelessly worked to bring the mission of the Church to the territories outside of Kerala. Cleemis Bava also reminded the people that this is the recognition for our unwavering commitment to the communion with the Universal Church and also of the faithfulness to the Holy See. His Beatitude expressed the Church’s gratitude towards Pope Francis, the Oriental Congregation, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and to the Hierarchy of the Latin Church in India.

Those present at the St. Mary’s Cathedral during the announcement included Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos, Bishops Yoohanon Mar Chrysostem, Joshua Mar Ignations, Abraham Mar Julios, Samuel Mar Irenios and Philipose Mar Stephanos besides a large number of faithful, priests and religious. The Bishop of the new Exarchate of Kirkee-Pune, Thomas Mar Anthonios is at present in Australia to lead the Holy Week celebrations of the Syro-Malankara community there.

Blessing of the New Church in Houston

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Blessing of the New Church in Houston

A long cherished dream of the St. Peter’s Malankara Catholic parish in Houston came true on March 7, 2015 with the blessing of the newly built church of the parish. His Excellency the Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Bishop of the Exarchate presided over the liturgy of the blessing. His Excellency the Most Rev. George Shelz, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and His Excellency the Most Rev. Joy Alappatt, Auxiliary Bishop of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Chicago were concelebrants. Many priests of the Exarchate, namely, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Mangalath, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nedumankuzhiyil, Rev. Fr. Babu Madathilparambil, Rev. Fr. Abraham Lukose, etc. were also present, besides Rev. Fr. Job Kalluvilayil, the former pastor of the parish and Rev. Fr. John Puthenvilayil, the present pastor. After the ceremony of the church blessing, there was a public meeting in which besides the bishops, the Mayor of the city of Stamford also participated. The blessing of the church marked a moment of fulfilment for the St. Peter’s Syro-Malankara Catholic parish community of Houston and for the whole Malankara Catholic Church in America. If the parish community has been able to construct a magnificent church in God’s providence, it is largely because of this community’s remarkable sense of dedication and generosity. The participation of the parishioners in this great attempt has been total. Every family of the parish, in its own way, contributed to this noble cause. The parishioners have been amazingly generous in sparing their energy, time, wealth and good will for this project. It was Rev. Fr. Job Kalluvilayil, who initiated the construction. Rev. Fr. John Puthenvilayil brought the construction to completion. On March 8 the Holy Eucharist was celebrated in the new church for the first time. His Excellency Mar Eusebius presided over the celebration. During the Holy Eucharist, 5 children of the parish received the first communion.

Priest-Coordinator for the Syro-Malankara Catholics in Canada

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Priest-Coordinator for the Syro-Malankara Catholics in Canada

Rev. Dr. Gigi Philip, who has assumed charge as the Vicar of the St. Mary’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission in Toronto has been appointed the Priest-Coordinator of the Syro-Malankara Catholic communities in Canada by His Excellency the Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius. There are presently two missions with the presence of priests in Canada, namely, in Toronto and in Edmonton. Besides there are cities in Canada where there is a considerable number of Malankara Catholic families, like Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, etc.. Rev. Dr. Gigi Philip hails from the Archdiocese of Tiruvalla. He had served the Malankara Catholic Mission in Toronto for six years earlier. Later he left for Rome to do higher studies in Theology. He secured a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the University of St. Thomas (The Angelicum) in Rome. It is hoped that Rev. Dr. Gigi’s long years of pastoral experience in Canada, in Rome and in India coupled with his outstanding pastoral and leadership qualities will stand him in good stead in his new responsibility as the Coordinator. The Exarchate extends to him hearty congratulations and prayerful best wishes.

Malankara Catholic Children’s League (MCCL) Celebrations 2015, MCC – Dubai

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Malankara Catholic Children’s League (MCCL) Celebrations 2015, MCC – Dubai

On 8 February 2015, the Sunday following Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple (Mayaltho), Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated, the Day of its Children’s Organization, the Malankara Catholic Children’s League (MCCL).

Dubai Malankara Catholic Community celebrated the MCCL Children’s day on 13th February 2015 by organizing a procession by the Catechism students of all ages with Offertories that were ceremonially presented to Rev. Fr. Mathew Kandathil.

During the Homily, Achen compared all the children wearing white dresses to Angels and sumbitted them at the Alter and made special prayers.

Achan congratulated the Committee Members, Bible class teachers, parents and children for organising such a wonderful programme.

Congratulations to Mr. John P. Varghese, New Jersey, for being elected the new Secretary of the Pastoral Council of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in the USA

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Congratulations to Mr. John P. Varghese, New Jersey, for being elected the new Secretary of the Pastoral Council of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in the USA

Mr. John P. Varghese has been elected the new Secretary of the Pastoral Council of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in the USA. As the former Pastoral Council completed its term of three years on Dec. 31, 2014, the new Council was constituted and the first meeting of the new Council was held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Exarchate Chancery. His Excellency the Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Bishop of the Exarchate presided over the meeting. After the members took the oath, they elected the new Secretary by secret ballot. The term of office is for three years.

Mr. Varghese belongs to the St. Thomas Syro-Malankara Catholic Parish in New Jersey. He is a Chief Technology Manager (CTM) / Chief Information Officer (CIO) for a U.S. Federal Government Agency in Washington, DC. He is the son of Mr. John Varghese and Mrs. Aleyamma John. Mr. Varghese and his wife Tinsy have two sons, namely, Johann and Jeremy. The Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate extends hearty congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Varghese.

Meeting of the New Pastoral Council of the Exarchate of USA

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Meeting of the New Pastoral Council of the Exarchate of USA

The newly elected Pastoral Council of the Exarchate had its first meeting on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Exarchate Chancery. The meeting started with a session of prayer and reflection. Rev. Fr. Johny Mendonca, Associate Pastor at the Parish of St. Catherine of Sienna gave an introductory reflection. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery made the opening prayer. After the prayer service, the new Pastoral Council members took the oath before His Excellency the Most Rev. Thomas Mar Eusebius. His Excellency officially welcomed all the members to this important ministry of the Church. That was followed by the election of the new Secretary of the Pastoral Council. Mr. John P. Varghese from the St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Parish in New Jersey was elected the Secretary for the next three years. The main item in the meeting’s agenda was the forthcoming Malankara Catholic Convention to be held from August 6 to 9 at Virginia. Various committees were constituted for the conduct of the Convention. The audited account of the Exarchate of the year 2014 was presented by Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Mangalath, the Finance Officer of the Exarchate. The meeting was concluded with the noon prayers and lunch. 45 members from all our parishes participated in the meeting.

Christmas Gift to Labour Camp by MCYM Dubai, UAE

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Christmas Gift to Labour Camp by MCYM Dubai, UAE

MCYM Dubai has taken a major leap in their humanitarian initiatives by providing Christmas Gifts to over 245 Labourers at a Camp in Sonapur on Friday, 9th January.

An appeal was made to the people of the Dubai Malankara Catholic Community, who responded generously by contributing food items and donations, that made the Christmas Gift to Labourers a big success. This is the second such initiative by the MCYM Dubai unit where they entered the life of needy people with bundles of happiness.

After visiting many camps, MCYM selected the most deserving one – a camp having 47 rooms and over 245 people (a mix of nationalities – Indians including many Keralites, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis). Their grim faces elaborated the plight they are suffering. They have not received wages for many months. Residency statuses of most of them are unknown. Court cases are going on in the Labour Court. They are often deprived of electricity and water. Once in a while they get an opportunity to work outside the company to support purchase of some food. They do not know how long they will have to suffer and live in despair.

Each gift packet included a bag of rice, flour, dal, oil, salt, sugar, tea bags, chilly & turmeric powder, semolina (rava), soaps, tooth paste, washing powder, shaving eraser, dish wash liquid, Tiger Balm & Axe Oil, Panadol, water and a lunch packet.

MCYM Dubai would like to extend their sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the families and individuals who offered the food items and donations.

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