Reception to H. B. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemi Catholicos in Germany

Frankfurt: The Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, was given a very warm and grand reception at St. Kunibert Basilica, Cologne, Germany on 10 November 2013. Mr George Mundethu welcomed the dignitaries to the function; Rev. Fr Müller the vicar of the Basilica welcomed the Cardinal and the Priests for the Holy Qurbono. The programme began with a liturgical reception to the Cardinal followed by the Pontifical Qurbono in the Basilica.

After the Holy Qurbano a public reception was given to the Cardinal at the St. Ursuline School Auditorium. The felicitation programme began with the prayer song of the Malankara Choir. Rev. Fr Santhosh Thomas Koickal, the Ecclesistical Coordinator of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in Germany, welcomed H.B. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis and the dignitaries. Sri. Raveesh Kumar, the Honourable Consul General of India in Frankfurt inaugurated the public meeting, which was presided over by Bishop Most Rev. Manfred Melzer, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colonge, who represented Joachim Cardinal Meisner of the Archdiocese of Colonge and the German Bishop’s Conference. Mr Stefan Schohe, the National Director of German Bishop´s Conference for the foreign Catholic communities in Germany delivered the keynote address. Rev. Fr Karl Heinz Haus, the Superior General of Communio in Christo in Mechernich, Dr Findeis, the Professor of Catholic theology in the University of Bonn, Rev. Fr Joachim Schwarzmuller, Vicar St Johannes Baptist Catholic Church Krefeld, Rev. Fr Ignatius Challissery CMI, the Chaplain for the Syro-Malabar Community, Rev. Fr Leiju Mathew, the Vicar of the Orthodox Community in Germany, Rev. Fr Geevarghese Thomas OIC, representative of Syro-Malankara Priests working in Germany, Rev. Sr Mercy OSS, Holy Spirit Congregation, Rev. Sr Francita DM, Daughters of Mary Congregation, Rev. Sr Udaya SIC, Bethany Congregation, Mr Jose Ponmelil, representative of the Malankara Catholic Faithful and the Vice President of the Pastoral Council Germany and Mr Anup Mundethu, MCYM representative felicitated the Cardinal-Catholicos. The Choir sang a felicitation song to the Cardinal under the guidance of Rev. Fr Titus John Cheravallil. During the meeting Mrs. Sabine Pulipra, Miss Jenniffer and Jasmin Karnasseril, Mr Georgy Vattasseril sang songs. His Beatitude replied with words of gratitude. Mr. Varghese Karnasseril, secretary SMCM Bonn/Cologne proposed the vote of thanks. The meeting ended with Apostolic Blessing of the Cardinal and a Sneehavirunnu.

Rev. Fr Devadas Paul, Syro-Malabar Community Frankfurt and Rev. Fr Elex, Chaplain for the International Catholic Youth Pastoral Care in the Archdiocese of Cologne were also present at the meeting.

Many Priests, Sisters and Faithful attended in the programme.