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.

New Church Blessed at Ektanagar, Akurdi Chinchwad, Pune

His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos blessed the newly constructed church of the St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Community at Chinchwad of Pune Region in the presence of His Excellency Jacob Mar Barnabas, on Wednesday 25 February. It is the seventh parish community in Pune to have its own church. The function started at 4.00pm with a colourful reception to the dignitaries. It was followed by the blessing ceremony and felicitation meeting. During the felicitation meeting, the Pune Malankara Catholic region officially felicitated the Major Archbishop who did his first visit as the Father and Head of the Malankara Catholic Church. Mr. P.V. Thomas, Bar Itho Kashiro (Diligent Son of the Church) is given the official medal by the Catholicos.  It was followed by the Con-celebrated Holy Qurbono presided over by Jacob Mar Barnabas. The programme concluded by public meeting and agape. Rev. Mother Patience SIC (Provincial Muvattupuzha Province), Dr. John Berchumans OIC (the former Co-ordinator ETRI), Rev. Fr. Peter John (Co-ordinator ETRI Southern Region) and  V. A. George (Trustee, MCA) delivered felicitation speeches. Many priests, religious, Rev. brothers and faithful were present during the ceremonies. Rev. Fr. Benedict OIC (Parish Priest), K. G. Samuel (Trustee) and M. M. Mathew (Secretary) gave leadership to the programme.

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.

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.

The 55th Feast of Commemoration of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios begins

His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos blessed the newly built altar of the tomb chapel of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios in St. Mary’s Cathedral Pattom, Trivandrum at 5 pm on 1 July 2008.  His Excellency Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Apostsolic Visitator of the Malankarites in the Extraterritorial Regions in India, Rt. Rev. Msgr. James Paravilayil, the Protosyncellus of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum, Rt. Rev. Varghese Mavelil Corepiscopo, Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Nediyath, the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Antony Valiyavilayil OIC, the Postulator of the Cause of Canonisation of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios and a large number of Priests, Religious, Seminarians and Faithful participated in the blessing ceremony.

The Sixth Ordinary Holy Episcopal Synod began

The Sixth Ordinary Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church began at 6 pm on 5 March 2008, at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos presided over the Holy Synod. All the Synod Fathers, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos (President), Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos (Secretary), Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios, Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Timotheos, Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas and Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas participated in the Synod. The Synod concludes on 7 March 2008.

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.