The Eighth Holy Epscopal Synod ended

Elect the Guardians of Democracy and Secularism: Malankara Catholic Synod

The Malankara Catholic Episcopal Synod concluded with a call to the citizens to vote in the next parliamentary elections for a stable government that will protect the secular nature and democratic system of the country. The exercise of the right to vote is the most important obligation in a democratic society.  Exercise it in accordance with one’s conscience.

The Synod hopes that the recent social order and political circumstances would encourage all to take the right decision.  As a minority, the Indian Church is striving for self-protection.  The Synod urged that the proposals of the committee for the revision of law shall not be accepted and the attempt to subvert the value system of the society shall be condemned by all.  In different circumstances the Church in Kerala had to battle for the justice.

Alcohol for sixteen thousand crores of Rupees was sold in Kerala in the last five years.  There is the need of a serious change in policy that encourages income to the public treasury ignoring the ruin of a generation. We need a government that serves the public good.  The darkness that has enveloped all sectors life, especially those of education and labour, due to increasing political interests, has not vanished.  The conscious attempt to devalue the judicial system, in which the people have not still lost faith, is a serious concern.  The Church takes note of the alarming swell in atrocities and law and order problems.  The Synod said that in this special situation, the elected representatives should represent those denied justice and they should be individuals of transparent public life.  They should take nepotism, vested interests and corruption as challenges and overcome malice and evil in the society.

The Synod discussed matters of pastoral interest to the Church and took decisions.  The sacrament of matrimony, permanent diaconate, the major seminary formation, the Code of Particular law of the Church were some of the topics covered by the present Synod.  In the Synod presided over by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos were present Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos and Bishops Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Joshua Mar Ignathios, Abraham Mar Julios, Geevarghese Mar Timotheos, Joseph Mar Thomas and Jacob Mar Barnabas.

Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios celebrates the feast of St. Ignathios of Antioch

The first Bishop of Mavelikara Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios celebrated the feast of St. Ignathios of Antioch, his heavenly patron, on 29th January 2009. The celebrations started with solemn Holy Qurbono offered by Mar Ignathios in the cathedral, Punnamoodu. The felicitation meeting was presided over by Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos. During the meeting the Mr. John Thevarath and Mrs, Annamma John Plamootil were given the official medal of the Diligent Son (Bar Itho Kasiro) and Diligent Daughter (Barz Itho Kasirtho)  of the church respectively. The meeting also marked the official launching of the social activities of the diocese by Sri. M. Murali MLA, Sri. Babu Prasad MLA, Sri. Vasudeva Sharma and Sri. Kodikkunnil Suresh. During  the function Archbishops Mar Mathew Moolakkattil and Thomas Mar Koorilos, Bishops Dr. Stanley Roman, Mar Mathew Arackkal, Dr. Joseph Kariyil, Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Abraham Mar Yulios,  Jacob Mar Barnabas and Thomas Mar Timotheos, Leader of Opposition Sri.  Oommen Chandy, Minister Sri. Monson Joseph, Sri.  Tiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Sri. G. Karthikeyan and  Sri. V.M. Sudheeran were present. Many priests, religious and lay people felicitated Mar Ignathios.

Foundation Stone Laid for the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Muvattupuzha; Official website launched

On 15th January 2009, the 6th Annual day celebration of the establishment of Eparchy of Muvattupuzha was marked significant by another historical event. The foundation stone for the new cathedral which was blessed by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Oriental Congregation, during his official visit to Malankara Catholic Church on 10 November 2008, was laid by Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, in the presence of Archbishop Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos and Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios. The foundation stone. During the public meeting  Rt. Judge Justice Elizabeth Idikula and Mr. K. J. Peter were conferred with the Ecclesiastical honours namely “Barz etho sharrirtho” (Good Daughter of the Church) and “Bar etho shariro” (Good Son of the Church) respectively. The meeting also marked the launching ceremony of the official website of the eparchy (http://www.muvattupuzhadiocese.com). Many priests, religious and lay people were present during the programme.

The Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Catholic Church

The 7th Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Catholic Church convenes from the 18th of November, to the 21st of November, 2008 at the Pattom Catholicate Centre. The Synod is attended by major Archbishop Baselios Mar Cleemis, Bishops Geevarghese Mar Yulios, Joseph Mar Thomas, Jacob Mar Barnabas, and Geevarghese Mar Timothios among others.

The first day of the Holy Synod was observed as a prayer day and the Bishop of Thuckalai gave the points for reflection. The Holy Synod evaluated the entire administration of the Church and took important decisions for the better future of the Church. The draft of the Code of Particular Canons (CPC), the particular law of the Church was discussed thoroughly and made necessary changes. The draft of the CPC will also be circulated among the members of the Church for wider discussions and observations. For the session at 4.00 p.m. on 20^th November, the major superiors of every religious congregation of the Church were specially invited. The Holy Synod was concluded by noon on 21^st of November. 

The Second Session of the Fourth Holy Episcopal Synod

The Second Session of the fourth Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church which earlier convoked from the 5th to 7th of March 2008, opened at 4pm, on 15th July 2008, at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom, Trivandrum. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the President, Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos, the Secretary, Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios and Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas participated in the Synod that was convoked to examine and study the draft of the Code of Particular Law of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church. Besides Fr. Anthony Valiyavilayil OIC, Rev. Fr. John Kochuthundil and Rev. Fr. Thomas Kuzhinapurath, experts in Oriental Canon Law, were invited to the Synod to assist the Synod Fathers in the study of the draft. This session ended on 17th July, 2008.

Seminar organised by the Synodal Commission for Theology and Publications

A theological seminar was conducted at the Catholicate Centre by the Synodal Commission for Theology and Publication. The paper, ‘The Relevance of Syrian Fathers’ was presented by Rev. Dr. Thomas Koonamakkal. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Antony Kakanatt was the moderator of the first session of the seminar, which started at 2.30 pm on 29 May. In the second session, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Julios presented the paper “The pastoral ministry of St. Peter – in the Bible and in the vision of the Syrian Fathers”. Very Rev. Dr. Stephen Thottathil was the moderator of the session. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos gave the concluding message. Dr. George Onakkur proposed the vote of thanks. More than thirty invitees participated in the seminar.

Dr. Abraham Mar Yulios consecrated as Bishop; New Bishop for the Malankara Catholic Church in Muvattupuzha

The duty of shepherding the Malankara Catholic flock of the Muvattupuzha diocese has been taken up by Dr. Abraham Mar Youlios, who was ordained as Bishop on February 9. 

The ordination was held at the headquarters of the diocese, St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Vazhapilly. The faithful hailed him by proclaiming “he is capable of guiding us”, as Major Archbishop Mar Baselios Cleemis handed the cross and the crosier (they serve as a reminder of pastoral duties) to the newly ordained Bishop. 

Dr. Abraham Kakanatt received the name Dr. Abraham Mar Youlios during the service of consecration to the order of Bishop, which was performed by the Malankara Catholic Bishops. 

At the beginning of the ceremony, the approval of the Pope was read out by the Chancellor, Fr. Anthony Valiyavilayil. The sermon was given by Bishop Stanley Roman. The priests of the diocese acknowledged the new Bishop by making him sit on the throne and lifting him thrice. After offering the benediction along with the other bishops, Mar Youlios carried out the ‘Sunthroneeso’ service as a part of taking up the responsibilities of the bishopric. The bishops who took part in the service were Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos, Geevargheese Mar Divannasios, Yuhanon Mar Chrisostum, Joshua Mar Ignathious, Joseph Mar Thomas and Jacob Mar Barnabas.