A portrait of Saint John Paul II was taken out in procession under the leadership of the MCYM Trivandrum unit. It started at 1 pm on Saturday, 26 April 2014, from Mar Ivanios College Chapel, Nalanchira and went round the places like Mannamthala, Aruviode, Mukkolackal , Vazhzyila, Peroorkada, Vellayamblam, Palayam, PMG and Pattom returned to Mar Ivanios College Chapel towards the end of the day.
Thomas Mar Eusebius Felicitated His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II
A delegation headed by His Excellency Thomas Mar Eusebius, Bishop of the Exarchate in the USA greeted & felicitated His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the newly elected Patriarch of the Orthodox Syrian Church of Antioch. Mar Eusebius expressed the heartfelt joy of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church for the election of His Holiness as Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. In return, His Holiness expressed his commitment to ecumenism and to unity by leading the flock of Christ in a spirit of ecumenism. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery, Very Rev. Fr. Mangalath, Rev. Fr. William OIC, Rev. Fr. Sathyan OIC, Rev. Fr. Abraham Kizhakkedathu and a lay person were in the delegation.
The installation of the new Patriarch is to be held in Syria on the Feast of Ascension.
Meeting of the Exarchate Pastoral Council – USA
An ordinary meeting of the Pastoral Council of the Exarchate was held at 10.00 am. on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Exarchate Chancery, Elmont, New York. His Excellency Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius presided over the meeting. The meeting started with a reflection on the Word of God led by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery, Vicar General of the Exarchate. The agenda of the meeting included amendments on the Statutes of the Exarchate, forthcoming Regional Family Conferences, Convention 2015, presentation of the financial accounts of the year 2013, etc.. Mr. Alexander Mammen and Mr. Mohan Varughese were elected as the Auditors. The meeting concluded with noon prayers and lunch. Around 35 members participated in the meeting.
KCBC shares the anxiety expressed by the people of the high ranges
The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) shares the anxiety expressed by the people of the high ranges at the lack of clarity in the implementation of the Kasturirangan report. KCBC expresses its strong resentment for unnecessarily prolonging the decision and causing undue hardships to the farmers until the wake of the declaration of the election to the Parliament. The Bishops’ Council does not look upon the steps taken by the state government with suspicion. The decision to revise the boundaries of the ecologically sensitive area in the 123 villages of Kerala ameliorates their anxiety. And we do trust the assurance given by the Chief Minister of Kerala that a draft notification will be published within two days, putting an end to the anxieties of the people living in the Western Ghats’ region. We are waiting to see the promise materialized. If this assurance is not materialized in a time bound manner, the entire responsibility for its consequences will be on the Government.
Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos President, Kerala Catholic Bishop’s Council.
Heartfelt Condolences on the sad demise of His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I of the Orthodox Syrian Church of Anioch
We place on record our heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Igatius Zakka I of the Orthodox Syrian Church of Antioch and convey our prayers. The deep rooted relationship and the paternal affection His Holiness the Patriarch had for the Malankara Christian Community were really great.
The contributions made by His Holiness Patriarch Zakka I along with Blessed Pope John Paul II of happy memory in pursuit of unity between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have been immensely valuable. I have been fortunate to visit His Holiness the Patriarch recently at his residence in Lebanon. I remember with gratitude the particular affection His Holiness showed to the Eastern Churches and to the Malankara Catholic Church and especially towards me personally.
I convey my condolences and prayers to the entire bereaved Orthodox Syrian Church especially his sheep in Malankara. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council and the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church join this bereavement and pray for the departed soul. On behalf of the Catholic Church in India, I convey the condolences and prayers to all the Faithful of the Orthodox Syrian Church.
+ Baselios Cardinal Cleemis
Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church,
President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India &
Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council.
The Fifteenth Ordinary Holy Episcopal Synod concluded
The Fifteenth Ordinary Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, that was in session from 10 -13 March 2014 at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom, concluded. The Synod was presided over by Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos.
The meeting with the Major Superiors of the Institutes of consecrated life, the reporting of the apostolic activities of the Synodal Commissions and the meeting with the staff and students of St Mary’s Malankara Seminary were the highlights of the Synod. The meeting with the Major Superiors focused mainly on new evangelisation imbibing the call and example of the Holy Father Pope Francis and the ways and means by which the Religious Institutes contribute towards realizing the goals of new evangelisation. The Reporting from the Synodal Commission enlightened Synod on how the vision and mission of the Church are actually fulfilled in the various spheres, regions and eparchies of our Church. The meeting gave a new focus of vision to the Synodal Commissions for its activities. The Synod Fathers visited the Seminary and held discussions with the Rector and resident staff of the Seminary and His Beatitude the Catholicos addressed the student community after the noon prayers. His Beatitude also announced the appointment of Rev. Dr Daniel Manikulam from the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta as the new Rector and Rev. Dr Isaac Parappally from the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla as the new Vice-Rector. It was an inspiration and motivation for all concerned. The Catholicos and the Bishops met the non teaching staff and all the domestic employees of the Seminary and expressed the appreciation and gratitude of the Church towards their service.
The Synod, among other things, gave approval to the Thukkasa (Book of Rubrics) to be published, evaluated the progress of the Suvisesha Sangham, planned the celebration of the forthcoming Feast of Commemoration of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios and the conduct of the Sabha Sangamam on the occasion of the 84th Reunion Anniversary to be hosted by the Eparchy of Bathery. The Synod Fathers with the office bearers of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and those who work in the Office of Canonisation of the Servant of Archbishop Mar Ivanios, celebrated the Holy Qurbono at the tomb of the Servant of God and visited the office of the Cause to have a briefing of the work done in this regard. The Synod ended with a call to all the faithful to strengthen the missionary activities of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church everywhere the Church is present and alive.
At the conclusion of the Holy Synod, His Beatitude the Catholicos and the Bishops called upon all people of India to exercise their right to vote in the next general election to elect a government that will protect and safeguard the secular and democratic values of our country. It also urged all the faithful of the Church to go to vote in the next general election.
Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos (President of the Synod), Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos (Secretary of the Synod), Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas, Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios, Most Rev. Vincent Mar Paulos, Most Rev. Thomas Mar Eusebios, Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas OIC, Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios and Most Rev. Philipos Mar Stephanos were present for the Synod.
Malankara Gulf Meet 2014 – 2nd Planning Session
According to the direction of His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the Priests and representatives of Malankarites from all the Gulf Countries came together in Dubai (UAE) in order to plan the details of the First Gulf Meet which will be held on July 15 & 16, 2014 in Trivandrum, Kerala. The planning session was held on Saturday 8th March 2014 in Dubai (UAE). Along with representatives from their countries, Rev. Dr. John Padipurackal (Ecclesiatical Coordinator of the Malankara Faithful in the Gulf Religion, Kuwait), Rev. Fr. Mathew Kandathil (UAE), Rev. Fr. Cherian Manapurath (Qatar & Bahrain) and Rev. Fr. Antony Plamparambil (Muscat) took part in the planning session. Dr. James Palamuttem and Mr. K. S. Varghese represented the faithful in KSA. Rev. Fr. Mathew Kandathil (UAE) Mr. Biren Philip (President, Central Committee, UAE) made all the arrangements for the second planning session in Dubai.
The venue of the First Gulf Meet, a momentous event in the history of the Malankara Catholic Church in the Gulf Region, is St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Bethany Hills, Nalanchira, Trivandrum, Kerala.
The 15th Ordinary Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Began
The 15th Ordinary Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church began at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom, Trivandrum on 10 March 2014. Tomorrow (11th March) the Synod will meet the Major Superiors of different men and women Religious Congregations of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. The Synod will also meet all the Secretaries of the Synodal Commission 11.00 onwards. Each secretary will present the working report and plan of activities of the respective commission. On Wednesday, 12 March, the Bishops will meet the staff of the St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary and address the student community. The Episcopal Synodal also will discuss matters related to the forth- coming assembly of the faithful in the Gulf countries which will be held in July in Trivandrum, the follow-up of the first Malankara Catholic Assembly and the progress of the Cause of Canonization of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios. Major Archbishop Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos presides over the Synod. All the bishops of the Syro- Malankara Catholic Church are attending the Synod.
Chevalier V. P. Thomas is no more
Chevalier Shri V.P. Thomas (Delhi), a member of the ETRI Pastoral Council, passed away on 20 February 2014. He was 73 years old.
He is survived by his wife (Ms. Tresiamma Thomas) and 3 children (Philip Thomas, Jose Thomas and Susan Santos). He was born to V.G. Pappy and Sosamma, Couple of Valuparambil Family at Chennithala, Mavelikkara in 1941. He had three brothers (late Rev. Fr. Abraham Valuparambil of the Archieparchy of Trivandrum, late Shri V.P. Varghese and Mr. V.P. George presently in Baroda).
Chev. V.P. Thomas was the Founder Member and Founder President of Delhi Malankara Catholic Association (DMCA), which was established in 1978 and continued to be at the helm of DMCA for the last 35 years. Presently he was Vice Chairman of DMCA. He was honoured with the Papal title ‘Chevalier’ by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in the year 2004. Chev. V.P. Thomas was a permanent member of the ETRI Pastoral Council and ETRI Finance Council from the year 2007. His Services to the Church Community in the Region is invaluable.
His Funeral will be in Delhi on Sunday 23 (afternoon) February.
Rev Fr Stanislaus Kakkanatt called to eternal rest
Rev Fr Stanislaus Kakkanatt (77) brother of His Excellency Abraham Mar Julios, a priest of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla of the Syro- Malankara Catholic Church, was called to eternal rest on Sunday 16 February 2014. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, 19 February, at 2 pm at his house in Tiruvalla and at 3 pm at St. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral.
Rev. Fr Stanislaus was born on 18 May 1937 as the son of E T Varghese and Annamma. He was ordained priest on 2 December 1964 by Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. He served in Germany from 1977 – ‘79. He rendered service as Manager of Matha School Alapuzha. He served as parish priest in various parishes, such as Alapuzha, Peringara, Pothanikkadu, Vengola, Keezhillom and Kumbazha.
