Mr. Daniel Babu, Mumbai on Bp. Mar Barnabas enthronement

Enthronement (sunthroniso) of His Grace Jacob Mar Barnabas and a solemn reception to His Beatitude Moran Baselios Cleemis Catholica Bava was held at New Delhi on 22nd March 2007.

The ceremonies started off with a liturgical reception to all the Mar Divannasios, Mar Chrysostom, Mar Ignathios, Mar Koorilos, Mar Thomas, Mar Barnabas and the Catholica Bava. This was followed by the blessing of the new church at Neb Serai in New Delhi. His Beatitude Moran Baselios Cleemis led the blessing of the new church. The newly consecrated Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas sat on the throne and read the Gospel of St. John saying ?I am the good shepherd? The Apostolic Nuncio of Vatican to India His Excellency Pedro Lopez Quintana then handed over a lighted candle to symbolize the installation of the new Bishop. This was followed by a public meeting presided by His Beatitude the Cathoica Bava and inaugurated by His Grace Vincent Concecao Archbishop of New Delhi. Felicitations to His Beatitude and the new Bishop was given by Shri Vayalar Ravi Cabinet minister for Overseas Indian arrears and Shri Oscar Fernandez Minister of State for Labour and Employment, His Grace Stansilaus Fernandez Archbishop of Ahmedabad and Secretary General of the CBCI, His Grace Job Mar Philexinos Bishop of the Syrian Orthodox church in New Delhi. A souvenir for the Bahya badrassanam was published when Vicar General of Tiruvalla handed over the first copy to Mar Chrysostom. Rev Fr. Abraham Kakanatt was the MC for the function. Dignitaries who attended included Rev Fr George Thomas Kallumkal OIC, Superior General of the OIC, Mother Benjamin Mother General of the SIC, Shri. Francis George M.P, Shri P.C Thomas M.P, Rev Fr Thomas Kochuthundiyil Chancellor Trivandrum Archdiocese, Rev Fr Antony Valiyavilayil OIC Chancellor of the Holy Synod, Cherian Ramnalil Cor-Episocpa and Chief Vicar General of Tiruvalla Archdiocese. Representatives from 38 mission of India presented shawls to the new Bishop. The proceedings were attended by about 500 malankarites who came from 38 mission units in 13 states. There was agape for all who attended.

The next day the new Bishop celebrated mass with Mar Divannasios and Mar Ignathios as co-celebrants. After breakfast various meeting were held with the Bishops and MCA, MCYM, priests and Rev Sisters. The sessions were moderated by Mar Barnabas, Mar Divannasios and Mar Ignathios. Catholica Bava gave the concluding remarks. In all the meetings indicated a lot of positive growth prospects for the Malankara Church in the mission areas outside the territorium proprium. Overall the functions at New Delhi was a rewarding experience to the Malankara faithful after a long wait of innumerable Bahya Bhadrasana conventions.

Koorilos Pithav’s Message on Bp. Mar Barnabas

Once again I bring you good news about our church. On Saturday the 10th of March we got yet another bishop ordained for our church, especially for taking care of the faithful out side the boundaries of our dioceses. The new bishop is called Most Rev. Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas. It was also a wonderful and spirit filled service. It was well attended. The ceremony has five moments: 1 the announcement and invitation of the Synod to the candidate for episcopacy and the bishops knelt down before the candidate and the candidate in turn prostrated before the synod saying that he accepts the call and will be faithful to the Lord. Then the letter of appointment was read out. Then we began the Mass. The second moment was the reading of the Gospel from the neck of the candidate. The primary duty of the bishop is to preach the word of God and to give the right instruction at all times. Then there was the promise taken by the candidate. After that special prayers and anointing of the spirit from the holy Sacrament. The candidate was hidden in the vestment of the main celebrant and from the Holy Mysteries the power was taken and the candidate was anointed. Then he was signed by the triune God as Barnabas for the Church and thereafter the faithful chanted OXIOS and this was followed by the Gospel reading by the New Bishop. This was followed by handing over the pastoral staff for the new bishop. Then he blessed the congregation with the staff and we continued the holy Mass. There was also a public reception and it was also well attended. 

The official assumption of charge by our bishop Mar Barnabas is on the 22nd of March in Delhi. The entire hierarchy of the Malankara church will be present. The CM of Delhi and other cabinet ministers are attending the meeting. The new bishop will reside in Delhi and operate from there. It is a great event inthe life of the Church. Let us pray for our new bishop and the outside diocese missions.

God bless us,

with love, Pithave.

Bishop Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Elected titular Bishop of Bapara and Apostolic Visitator of MCCIETR

Rev.Dr. Chacko Aerath OIC who was designated as the Apostolic Visitator for Bhaya Kerala Malankara Missions (MCCIETR) on 7th February 2007 was consecrated as Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas on Saturday, 10th March, 2007 at St. Mary Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum.

The main celebrant of the function was Catholicos Cleemis Mar Baselios. All the Bishops of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church fold were present for the celebration.

Following the consecration, there was a public meeting to felicitate the new Bishop.

The Sunthroneeso took place on 22nd March, 2007, at Nabseri in Delhi, the seat of His Excellency.