Indian Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios Proposes Novel Solution to US Unemployment Crisis

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Indian Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios Proposes Novel Solution to US Unemployment Crisis

Pittsburgh, September 19, 1982 – Archbishop Metropolitan Benedict Mar Gregorios of Kerala, India, during his visit to Western Pennsylvania, shared his unique perspective on tackling the growing unemployment issue in the United States. The head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India, Archbishop Gregorios, proposed an approach focused on empowering developing nations and decentralizing employment solutions.

Speaking in an interview beside the office of Bishop Vincent M. Leonard of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese, Archbishop Gregorios emphasized that the solution to unemployment does not solely rest with legislative or executive actions but through a global approach to labor and economy. “Exporting more to developing countries and empowering their populations with purchasing power and employment opportunities is the key,” he said. This strategy, according to him, addresses the root causes of unemployment and prevents the social ills arising from mass migration to urban centers.

Archbishop Gregorios, dressed in a traditional orange robe and a hand-carved ivory crucifix, shared insights from his extensive experience in leading the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, which traces its origins back to the Apostle St. Thomas. The church, under his leadership, has been actively involved in education and social development programs in Kerala, with a strong focus on agricultural development and industrial self-sufficiency.

He highlighted the church’s initiatives in establishing farms in each parish to teach modern agricultural techniques, which have proven more effective than traditional methods. This approach aims to alleviate the poverty that farmers face for a significant part of the year. Additionally, the church is involved in processing industries like garment-making and utilizing local raw materials, such as rubber and fiber, to produce mattresses and cushions, with all industries being employee-owned.

Archbishop Gregorios’s vision extends beyond mere welfare; it’s about sustainable development. The church has established schools offering education from kindergarten to doctoral studies, with the state supporting teachers’ wages. He advocates for international cooperation and free trade to support start-up initiatives, emphasizing that the industries they aim to develop should be simple enough to maximize employment rather than replacing manpower with technology.

His visit to the United States, including meeting with friends and clergy like the Rev. John Matthew Elijanteth of St. Mary’s Romanian Church in McKeesport, is part of a broader effort to share these insights and foster international understanding and cooperation.

Archbishop Gregorios’s message resonates beyond the religious community, offering a perspective that poverty and unemployment are global issues that require innovative, cooperative solutions. His approach underlines the interconnectedness of global economies and the potential for mutual growth and stability.

Copyright: The Pittsburgh Press 18 Sep 1982

Letter Of John Paul II To The Malankara Catholic Church On The 50th Anniversary Of The Union To The Catholic Church

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Letter Of John Paul II To The Malankara Catholic Church On The 50th Anniversary Of The Union To The Catholic Church

To the Bishops of the Malankara Catholic Church

On this solemn occasion my heart is filled with joy in the Lord. For it is with deep gladness that we are commemorating 20 September 1930 as a day of grace when, in the presence of Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger, specially deputed by the Holy See, Mar Ivanios, Mar Theophilos and some followers proclaimed their Catholic faith – a faith which they sought to nourish in prayer and study under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of unity and love, the Spirit of peace and joy.

This Spirit of Christ had long before mysteriously filled their hearts, awakening in them a feeling and a concern for unity. It was indeed the Holy Spirit working deep inside men, in their spiritual life, and then transforming from within the history of earthly events that led the two Syro-Antiochene prelates towards unity, which expresses the fullness of charity and facilitates a greater openness to the outpouring of the gifts of the sanctifying Spirit, who renews all, unites all and vivifies all.

Bethany is a name rich in significance for the history of the Syro-Malankara Church. It indicates, we may say, an intimacy with Christ in listening to his word and meditating on it; it indicates a fervent openess to grace and a awaiting with faith and hope the manifestation of God’s will after a period of profound spiritual maturing. It is good to emphasize that the event we are commemorating was, above all else, the result of being securely anchored in God through contemplation, in an exceptional climate of asceticism.

In this prayerful dialogue with God, Mar Ivanios and Mar Theophilos realized that only through deep communion with the Lord could they know his will and have the strength to follow it. In the spirit of the great ascetics of the ancient Syrian tradition, through study of the great Eastern Fathers, in particular Saint Basil the Great, and in a poverty enriched only by immense love for God and his Church, they yielded themselves willingly to the transforming action of the Spirit, confident that the Lord is faithful and never disappoints the hopes placed in him. If their subsequent dialogue with the Catholic Church and especially with certain Bishops proceeded easily and serenely, this was because it was an echo of their prayerful conversation with the Lord.

The event we are commemorating was thus characteristically a spiritual event. It was a decision suggested and sustained not by factors of sociological theory or practice, but by an action which was derived from the Spirit who pours love into our hearts and was aimed at seeing love manifested in unity as desired by Jesus. What he asked for in his great priestly prayer was the unity of all those who believe in him, and that this unity should be an image of the unity between himself and the Father in the love of the Holy Spirit, “that the world may believe”.

Your spiritual fathers placed themselves by faith in contact with the Spirit of Jesus. They listened to him. They followed him. Their unity with Rome was the result of their communion with the Spirit of Christ. This too was an actualization of what cannot fail to be at the heart of “the imitation of Christ”: namely, following the Spirit as the firstborn Son followed him. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God”.

In this moment of remembrance, with the same affection with which Pius XI on 4 May 1932 greeted “his most dear Mar Ivanios” I now salute the whole Malankara Church, a favoured part of the Church in India, that India which, as Mar Ivanios himself saw, offers such riches to the faith through its culture. This culture, with its ancient spiritual traditions, so ready to respect others and accept them, helps us to understand and really live the ecumenism of prayer, study and work for the unity of all who believe in Christ and have one faith, one baptism and one hope.

I am very pleased with the theme chosen for the jubilee celebrations, which is in itself a programme for action: “That all may be perfected in unity”. The theme is in tune with the Church’s concern for unity. You well know what the Second Vatican Council says: “The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal aims of the Second Vatican Council” and “all Christians, Eastern and Western, are earnestly asked to offer frequent, or rather daily, prayers that, with the help of the most holy Mother of God, all may be made one”. Speaking even more directly to you of the Eastern Churches, the Council solemnly said: “Eastern Churches which are in communion with the Apostolic See, have a special duty to encourage the unity of all Christians, especially those of the East. The principles to which they must adhere have been laid down by this Council in its decree on ecumenism. They must make use principally of prayer, the example of their lives, loyalty and devotion to the ancient traditions of the East, improved mutual understanding, collaboration and a fraternal appreciation of acts and intentions”.

Looking at your Malankara Church, so open to the Spirit, so flourishing in good works, I cannot forget to thank those who, following in the steps of Mar Ivanios and Mar Theophilos, have laboured so devotedly that this Church may be increasingly “holy and without blemish”, resplendent with those deeds of apostolic sanctity which make it mirror the true face of Christ in the world. I know the zeal and dedication of its pastors both from their quinquennial reports and from my personal meetings with them during their ad limina visit this year. I know the generous work of the priests and the zealous contribution by the men and women religious (so dear to the heart of their founder Mar Ivanios) through their life of prayer and apostolic work; I know the self-denying collaboration offered by a laity increasingly aware of the mystery of the Church, both universal and local, and of its problems.

To all I extend my greeting, my prayers and my exhortation to live increasingly that unity which springs from the Spirit of Christ and draws energy and strength from a life of deep contemplative prayer, pressing on with generous commitment to the goal to which we all aspire: “that all may be one”.

As a sign of my particular sharing in so happy an anniversary and, as it were, to set a seal on the solemn ceremonies that you have arranged, I am sending as my representative His Eminence Cardinal Wadysaw Rubin, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Eastern Churches, to honour your celebrations and encourage your efforts towards actualizing “truth in love” (“veritatem facientes in caritate”).

Invoking the blessing of God on you, venerable Brothers, and on your Church so full of fervour, I commend you to the protection of the holy Mother of God, the mother of unity and charity. May she bind you ever more strongly together in God, give you more and more the sense of communion with the whole Church and be for you a source of joy and a bond of peace. Further, using a form of words familiar to you, may my blessing descend, plentiful and propitious, on all your Church gathered in Christ, and may the mercy of God remain always with you “through the prayers of the Blessed Mother Mary, the Mother of God, and of all the company of saints who have loved the Lord and kept his commandments. Amen”.

From the Vatican, 1 December 1980.

JOHN PAUL II

Indian Archbishop Mar Gregorios to Lead Liturgy in Toledo

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Indian Archbishop Mar Gregorios to Lead Liturgy in Toledo

Toledo, May 15, 1965 – Archbishop Mar Gregorios, a prominent figure of the Syro-Malankara Rite from India, is set to conduct the liturgy at St. Patrick of Heather Downs Church on Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. This special event is part of a day of recollection and spiritual reflection, organized under the sponsorship of the Altar-Rosary Society.

Archbishop Mar Gregorios’s visit is a significant part of his tour across the United States, which aims to foster a deeper understanding and connection between the Syro-Malankara Rite and the Catholic faithful in America. His presence in Toledo is particularly notable, as it represents the rich diversity and universality of the Catholic Church.

The Rev. Bartholomew Paytas, pastor of St. Michael’s Church of the Byzantine Rite, will host the Archbishop during his stay in the city. This gesture of hospitality underscores the unity and camaraderie that exists among different rites within the Catholic Church.

The liturgy led by Archbishop Mar Gregorios is expected to be a unique spiritual experience for the local Catholic community, offering a glimpse into the rich liturgical traditions of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. The Archbishop is renowned for his profound spiritual insights and charismatic leadership, qualities that are sure to resonate with the attendees.

This event provides a wonderful opportunity for the faithful in Toledo to experience the distinctive liturgical practices of the Syro-Malankara Rite, which has its roots in the apostolic traditions of St. Thomas in India. It also serves as a bridge, connecting different cultures and traditions within the Catholic faith.

The day of recollection at St. Patrick of Heather Downs Church, with the liturgy conducted by Archbishop Mar Gregorios, promises to be a day of spiritual enrichment and fellowship, bringing together the diverse Catholic community in a celebration of faith and tradition.

Copyright: Toledo Blade, 15th May, 1965

Archbishop Mar Ivanios Receives Last Homage of Flock

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Archbishop Mar Ivanios Receives Last Homage of Flock

TRIVANDRUM, India.—A Prelate, who occupied a Jacobite episcopal throne earlier in life and then a Catholic episcopal throne, was seated on the latter throne after death to receive the last reverence from his devoted flock.

Known as the Cardinal Newman of India, Archbishop Mar Ivanios of Trivandrum died there on July 15 at the age of 70. He had been ill for almost a year.

According to the custom of the Jacobite Church and the new Catholic rite which Archbishop Ivanios introduced into the Catholic Church, his remains were seated on the throne of St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral after his death. His body was dressed in his episcopal robes, his pastoral staff was clasped into one hand, the cross in the other. Seated on the throne, his frail remains received the last respects from his Priests, Nuns, and the laity. They passed by in silent reverence and kissed the staff and cross.

The morning of the funeral, the remains of the Archbishop were seated in a carriage and a solemn procession took them from St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral to the crypt of the still unfinished new cathedral. Thousands who followed the Archbishop into the Catholic Church and many thousands more lined the streets of the city as the Archbishop’s carriage was drawn through the city.

After a Solemn Requiem, his remains were entombed in a sitting position in the main niche in the crypt of the cathedral. The Archbishop was the first to be buried in the cathedral which he started.

Received into the Catholic Church in 1930, the former Jacobite Bishop became the leader of a new Catholic rite—the Syro-Malankara rite, which used Malayalam, the language of Malabar, in its liturgy.

At the time of his death, the reunion movement which the Archbishop headed had brought four schismatic Bishops, about 125 Priests, and over 60,000 lay people from the Jacobite Church to the Church of Rome.

Archbishop Ivanios made an extended tour of the United States and Canada in 1947. While in the U.S., he was received by the then President Harry Truman.

Copyright: Southern Cross (Adelaide) Fri 31 Jul 1953

Obsequies of Archbishop Mar Ivanios

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Obsequies of Archbishop Mar Ivanios

Eastern Rite Ceremonies at Trivandrum

Impressive Eastern Rite ceremonies were held at Trivandrum, India, at the obsequies of Archbishop Mar Ivanios, of Trivandrum, whose death occurred on 15 July, at the age of 70, after a long illness.

Archbishop Ivanios is well remembered in Melbourne as a picturesque and distinguished visitor to the Diocesan Centenary Celebrations in 1948.

Known as the Newman of India, he was till 1930, leader of the schismatic rite subject to the Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch. On his conversion to the Catholic Faith, Archbishop Ivanios became the leader of a new Catholic rite, the Syro-Malankara, and brought with him four schismatic bishops, about 125 priests, and over 60,000 lay people.

According to the custom of the Jacobite Church and the new Catholic rite which Archbishop Ivanios introduced into the Catholic Church, his remains were seated on the throne of St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral after his death. His body was dressed in his episcopal robes, his pastoral staff was clasped into one hand, the cross in the other. Seated on the throne, his frail remains received the last respects from his priests, nuns, and the laity. They passed by in silent reverence and kissed the staff and cross.

The morning of the funeral, the remains of the Archbishop were seated in a carriage, and a solemn procession took them from St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral to the crypt of the still unfinished new cathedral. Thousands who followed the Archbishop into the Catholic Church and many thousands more lined the streets of the city as the Archbishop’s carriage was drawn through the city.

After a Solemn Requiem, his remains were entombed in a sitting position in the main niche to the crypt of the cathedral. The Archbishop was the first to be buried in the cathedral which he started.

Among prelates attending the rites were Archbishop Joseph Attipetty, Latin Rite Archbishop of Veropoly, and Syro-Malabar Bishop Matthew Kavukatt of Changanacherry, who delivered the funeral oration. Before being laid in the crypt, the remains were divested of the episcopal insignia and vestments and garbed in a yellow robe, and the face covered by a cloth of yellow velvet.

New Auxiliary is Monsignor Benedict Verghese

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New Auxiliary is Monsignor Benedict Verghese

His Holiness the Pope has appointed an Auxiliary to Archbishop Mar Ivanios of Trivandrum, India, who has been ailing for the past several months. The new Auxiliary is Monsignor Benedict Verghese, of the Congregation of the Imitation of Christ, Vice Principal of the Trivandrum University of Mar Ivanios. The 36-year-old priest has been named Titular Bishop of Antarados.

Archbishop Ivanios, who was given the last rites early in September, came over to the Catholic Church in 1930 from the Jacobite Schismatic Church when he was already an Archbishop. Archbishop Ivanios has made extensive tours of Australia, the United States, and Canada.

Copyright: Catholic Weekly (Sydney). 1 Jan 1953

Archbishop Mar Ivanios is Ill

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Archbishop Mar Ivanios is Ill

Archbishop Mar Ivanios of Trivandrum, India, who visited Australia for the Melbourne Catholic Centenary celebrations a few years ago, is seriously ill and has received the last rites.

Once a Jacobite (schismatic) Bishop, he was received into the Catholic Church in 1930.

Copyright: Catholic Weekly (Sydney) 16th October 1952

Personal – 25th Episcopal Jubilee of Mar Ivanios

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Personal – 25th Episcopal Jubilee of Mar Ivanios

Archbishop Mar Ivanios of Trivandrum, who toured Australia some time ago, has observed his 25th episcopal jubilee. He received an Apostolic Blessing from His Holiness the Pope. Called the “Newman of India,” Archbishop Ivanios came over to the Catholic Church with a number of his followers in 1930 from the Jacobite schismatic church when he was already an Archbishop. Upon his conversion, the Holy See made him the head of the Syro-Malankara Rite, which has its liturgy in Malabar.

Copyright: Catholic Weekly 10th May 1951

Archbishop’s Protest On Indian Education Plan

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Archbishop’s Protest On Indian Education Plan

TRIVANDRUM (India) — Archbishop Mar Ivanios, Ordinary of the Malankara Rite in the Archdiocese of Trivandrum, has openly lodged a protest against the new educational plan fostered by the Government of the State of Travancore-Cochin.

He claims that the plan is dangerous to the present Catholic school system and would give the Government too great a control over the conduct of privately owned school systems and their properties.

Archbishop Mar Ivanios, who was in Australia for the centenary of the Archdiocese of Melbourne in 1948, is an educator in his own right.

Archbishop Mar Ivanios: Celebrated A Jubilee

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Archbishop Mar Ivanios, of Trivandrum (India), who was in Sydney and Melbourne in 1948, recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his consecration. He is a Metropolitan of the Syro-Malankara Rite Catholics of Malabar, an Archdiocese established by the Holy See. Archbishop Ivanios has 70,000 Catholics in his Archdiocese, many having been converted from the Jacobite faith. Under his direction, the University of Trivandrum, several high schools, and religious institutions have been constructed.

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