The Holy Father confers the title “Monsignor” on Rev. Fr. Johnson Varughese Kaimalayil

Rev. Fr. Johnson Varughese Kaimalayil, presently serving the Congregation for the Oriental Churches of the Holy See (Rome) as Official, has been promoted as Secretary, Class First, Level VIII. This promotion has been accepted by the Secretary of State. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has conferred on him the title “Monsignor”.  This message has been conveyed to His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

On behalf of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, the Major Archbishop Catholicos and the Holy Episcopal Synod have conveyed congratulations and best wishes to Rt. Rev. Monsignor Johnson Varughese Kaimalyil.

Monsignor Johnson Varughese Kaimalayil, belongs to the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum and hails from St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church Anchal.  He was born on 22 June 1968.  On completing Pre-degree from St. John’s College Anchal, he joined the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary Trivandrum.  On completing the Theology course from St. Peter’s Seminary Bangalore he was ordained priest on 7 April 1994.  After a few years of pastoral ministry in Mariagiri (1994-`95) and Chirattakonam (1995-’98) he was sent to the Pontifical Oriental Institute Rome in the year 1998.  He completed his Doctorate from the Institute in the year 2004.  In the same year he was appointed Official of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in Rome.

- Fr. Antony Valiyavilayil OIC
Chancellor

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 Pro-Cathedral of Palayam elevated to the status of Basilica

St. Mary, Queen of Peace Pro-Cathedral at Palayam was elevated to the status of Basilica in the Universal Church. Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, read out the declaration on 10 November 2008 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom after the Holy Mass. Henceforth, this church will be known as ‘St. Mary Queen of Peace Basilica, Trivandrum.

Reception to Leonardo Cardinal Sandri

His Eminence Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, Prefect, the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Rome.

Malankara Catholic Church gave a warm reception to Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, on 10 November 2008, 9.00am at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom. The reception was arranged in the traditional manner. Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos was the chief celebrant of the Holy Qurbono. Leonardo Cardinal Sandi delivered the homily. After the Holy Mass, His Eminence visited the tomb of Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios.

The following public meeting was presided over by Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos. The Metropolitan Archbishop Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos, Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Msgr. Eldo Puthenkandathil and the lay representative Shri. John Mathai IAS  made the felicitation speeches. The representatives from the religious congregations of various eparchies gave memento to the Cardinal. All the metropolitans of our Church, Priests, Religious, Nuns, Brothers and numerous Faithful participated in the blessed function.