Historic Joint Clergy and Religious Conference of Episcopal Churches to be Held in Tiruvalla

A significant ecumenical event will take place on September 25, 2024, as various Episcopal churches in Kerala gather for a joint clergy and religious conference at St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla. This landmark event is organized in connection with the Ruby Jubilee celebrations of the Nilackal Ecumenical Movement, which has been a symbol of Christian unity and cooperation among Kerala’s Episcopal churches over the past 40 years.

The conference, which will be the first of its kind in Kerala, aims to strengthen the spirit of ecumenism, fraternity, and shared mission among clergy and religious of different traditions, including the Syro-Malankara, Mar Thoma, Orthodox, CSI, and Knanaya Jacobite churches. The joint initiative reflects the growing importance of fostering deeper understanding and collaboration between the different Episcopal communities in Kerala.

The conference will begin at 9:30 AM under the chairmanship of Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan, head of the Mar Thoma Church. One of the highlights of the event will be the keynote address delivered by Archbishop-elect Mar Thomas Tharayil, who is the newly appointed Archbishop of the Changanassery Archdiocese, representing the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Additionally, Dr. Joseph Mar Barnabas, Suffragan Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, will deliver a blessing speech during the proceedings.

Several other prominent dignitaries are scheduled to speak, including Rev. Dr. Isaac Parappallil, Vicar General of the Tiruvalla Archdiocese, and Sister Dr. Ardra SIC, the President of the Major Superiors of Catholic Religious in Kerala and Superior General of the Bethany Sisters. Dr. Thomas Samuel, former Bishop of the CSI Church, will conduct a session, and Bishop Kuriakose Mar Gregorios, of the Knanaya Jacobite Church, will moderate part of the conference.

A panel discussion in the afternoon will be moderated by Dr. Joshua Mor Ignathios, Bishop of Mavelikara and Vice President of the Nilackal Ecumenical Trust. The focus of the discussion will be on the theme of “The Nilackal Ecumenical Movement: Unity and Evangelical Mission of the Mar Thoma Churches”. Rev. Dr. M.O. John will lead the theme presentation, followed by a discussion among key leaders of the participating Episcopal churches.

Prominent religious figures such as Dr. Mathews Anthimos, Bishop of the Muvattupuzha diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Church, Geevarghese Mar Aprem, Auxiliary Bishop of the Kottayam Archdiocese, and Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Kuttiyil OIC, Superior General of the Bethany Congregation, will take part in the panel discussion. Other panelists include Rev. Thomas Koshy Panachamoottil, Secretary of the Ranni-Nilackal Diocese of the Mar Thoma Church, and Rev. Soji John Varghese, Finance Convener of the Ruby Jubilee celebrations.

A special ecumenical choir, featuring groups from the Syro-Malankara Church, the CSI Church, and the Bethany Sisters, will perform at the event, adding a spiritual dimension to the proceedings through music.

The event is expected to attract a large gathering of clergy, religious, and faithful from various churches across Kerala, all united in their desire to promote Christian unity and a shared commitment to the evangelical mission of the Church.