The Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Most. Rev. Dr. Justin Wembley releases Prof. George Menachery's lattest book "Ecumenism and Church Unity in India" during the 11th General Assembly of the WCC at Karlsruhe, Germany on 7th Sept., Presenting the first copy to Marthoma Bishop for America Mar Philexinos. Bishop Mar Abraham, Prof. Menachery, Rev. Azaria, Prof. Indira Jetti are in the picture.
Prof. George Menachery addresses the 800-odd delegates from Asia & Oceania at the 11th WCC assembly, Karlsruhe, Germany, 5th Sept,2022.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, Allahabad (Prayagraj) Prof. Rajendra Lal awards Prof. George Menachery the University's honoris causa degree of ph.d. in Theology at the 13th Convocation. The Chancellor Dr. Oliver A. Jetti is at the right.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Lord most reverend Dr.Justin Wembly released the book " Ecumenism and Church unity in India " by Chev.Prof. George Menachery at the 11th assembly of the wcc held at Karlsruhe in Germany, presenting the first copy to Bishop Mar Philexinos, the Marthoma Bishop for America and Europe.In the picture are besides Prof.Menachery , Bishop Mar Abraham, Rev.Azaria and Prof.Indira Jetti. In the assembly held from Aug 31 to Sept 8 the 800 odd Asian delegates were addressed by 10 persons from Asia and Oceania including Prof. George Menachery, the only Catholic layman from India, on the problems of the churches in these parts.
Menachery Conversations: Century-old photos speak volumes about Thomas Christian Art Architecture incl. Murals & Margamkali: Vazhikkurai Global Webinar
MARIYAM THRESIA SAINT GEORGE MENACHERY TIMES OF INDIA
The National Executive of CHAI (BOT) which met at Delhi under the presidentship of CHAI President Dr. Oliver A. Jetti on the 24th of Sept. 2016 decided to conduct the 17th CHAI Triennial at Delhi in October 2017 with the participation of all the ecclesiastical heads of Delhi Churches and the Civil and religious leaders from all over India, and Church History Scholars and students of all Indian States. An elaborate Indian Christian Historico Cultural EXPO will be a part of the Triennial as also an essay competition on the theme of the Triennial for college students and seminarians nationwide. The participants resolved to make the Delhi Triennial a memorable one even surpassing the achievements of all earlier 21st century Triennials at Kochi, Goa, Shillong, Hyderabad, and Ranchi. The North India Branch will host the Triennial.
Participants at the National Executive Committee Meeing (BOT) of the Church History Association of India held at Delhi on the 24th Sept. 2016 with the CHAI National President Dr. Oliver A. jetti in front of the venue of the meet Vidya Jyothi College. L. to R. Dr. Francis Thonippara (Treasurer), Dr. George Oommen (Gen. Secretary), Dr. Varghese Perayil (Tiruvalla), Prof. George Menachery, Dr. Oliver Jetti, Dr. Leo Fernando (North India Branch President and Principal Vidya Jyothi)), Dr. Joe Kalappura (Patna), Dr. Charles Dias (Ex. M. P. and South India Secretary), Dr. John (Derhadoon), Dr. Manmese EKKA ( Eastern India President) and Dr. Cyril (Ranchi).
FREE Encyclopaedia
As part of the approaching Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India (Ed. Chev. Prof. George Menachery) it has been decided to provide all Major Seminaries and Theological Colleges all over the world with a copy each of the THOMAPEDIA (enlarged MIllennium edition of Vol. II of the Encyclopaedia (PB) price US$ 90.00) free of cost. Request may kindly be made officially to the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, West Bazaar, OLLUR, Kerala, INDIA 680306. Ph.:0091-940049 4398. Enclose US$ 20 – twenty only - for AIRMAIL delivery. There will be no charge for the Volume itself.
Christian
Presence in Indian
Architecture
Life of
Apostle St. Thomas
ISBN 81-87133-10-4
Mega Malayalam Book by
Prof. George Menachery
Price Rs. 1200/- Pre publication price till March Rs. 800/- Send money to
SARAS,[ South Asia Research Assistance Services],
OLLUR 680306 Kerala India
pallikkalakal@gmail.comwww.indianchristianity.com
Mega Malayalam Book on the art, architecture and cultural heritage of the Thomas Christians. Full book printed on art paper in full colour. One thousand full colour photographs, sketches, plans, maps, epigraphic reproductions on Nazraney heritage. Published on Easter Day, 2014. Price Rs. 1200/- Pre-pub price until March 800/- only.
Book your copy by remitting the amount to SARAS, Ollur, 680306.
Or transfer amount to A/c SARAS , South Indian Bank, Holy Angel’s Road Branch, Ollur, 680306. A/c Name : SARAS A/c No. 0533073000000008
IFSC Code SIBL 0000533 SWIFT Code SOININ55
Wednesday Morning
More black smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 11:40 a.m. March 13, though it is “no smoking day”, indicating that the 115 cardinal electors failed to elect a pope on their second and third ballots.
The cardinals had voted once yesterday March 12 without electing a pope. According to the schedule published before the conclave, the cardinals were to take two votes in the morning of their first full day in the Sistine Chapel and return to their residence at 1 p.m. for lunch if the voting was unsuccessful. Now they will be back in the Cappella in the afternoon for two more votes today.
Romans, pilgrims, and tourists began arriving in St Peter's Square early today morning in spite of the almost torrential rains, hoping to get a glimpse of history by watching for white smoke from the chapel chimney. "It's an incredible moment, but we want the rain to go away," said one chimney watcher.
And in the afternoon white smoke came out. He who entered the Conclave as Cardinal has come out in the white cassock. Except for the much expected election of Cardinal Ratzinger always a dark horse had won. And South America with more than a third of the world Catholic population surely deserved it and as I earlier remarked it was a football match between Brazil and Argentina and Argentina won. If any place needs a counter-reformation, even more than Africa, it was South America, and the Cardinals have chosen well. And now the South American dictators have reason to shiver in their shoes, as JPII's election made Eastern Europe tremble and burst. By choosing the name Francesco he has shot down two birds at one shot: Francis of Assisi is the beloved of Italy and the new Pope's mode of operation resembles the saint's. And the veneration for the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier could be hidden in the choice, and some regard for India and the East too.
The evening was even colder than Tuesday and the rains were almost incessant. But an even greater crowd waited patiently for the smoke, black or if luck could have it, white. The slogan shouting and occasional prayers gave some relief. But the real relief was the bird which came and perched for such a long time on the cap of the smoke-stack. Probably it was a little warm as the tube was connected to the stoves below in the Sistine Chapel. Anyway the Albatross like vision of the bird gave the rain hoisting crowd something to rest their eyes on. An old fashioned journalist like me thought of the bird as the Holy Ghost whispering the necessary inspiration to the befuddled Cardinals through the thin pipe, and so I was sure it would be white smoke this time. And wnen a small, infinitesimally small, row of lights was switched on some fifteen minutes before the smoke show I was certain the Cardinals had come to a decision. Soon, not so soon, followed the Habemus Papam which was followed by the Pope’s appearance on the central balcony which was now adorned with the papal maroon? tapesties.
Black Smokefor the first time in 2013
After a short siesta I started back to the Piezza San Petro by about 4 p m. When I reached the Square the huge screens installed there were showing the oathtaking of the Cardinals in the Sistine after their colourful procession to the Sistine form the Pauline chapel, gliding two by two along the Scala Regia. Although Cardinal Alencherry is third in the lists of Electors he was seen taking the oath as 87thor 88thand Cardinal Thottunkal followed after three or four other Cardinals in the oath taking. The Vatican spokesan, Federico Lombardi, who was present for the swearing in said with a smile “They were all there. We counted”.
Soon after thatthe papal master of ceremonies, Msgr. Guido Marini, pronounced the words “extra omnes” that is “Everyone Out”. A large number of attendants, clergymen, and Vatican officials were seen trooping out of the huge wooden door. Then he closed the doors with a loud click and locked. The Con – Clave had begun. Theywrote the name of their candidate on rectangular pieces of paper and tipped them into a flying-saucer-shaped urn, to be counted by hand and recorded by three cardinals chosen by lot
Then the waiting of the crowd began. The day was long, rainy, and very cold. But the crowd only increased as time went on. As it grew dark and the Sistine smoke stack became invisible the giant screens captured it for all to see. But for the flying of birds near the chimney which was seen on the screen there was little else going. The the lights on the Basilica and the Palace came on step by step. Finally it was a wonderful sight. By seven of the clock the Square must have contained thousands upn thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and tradition loving Romans. At 7.41 the tube began to spew black smoke, not like the wisps of smoke in past conclaves, but huge billows of really black smoke thanks to the second electronic stove this time and the chemicals used for black smoke: The Vatican now uses a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene and sulphur to produce black smoke and potassium chlorate, lactose and rosin for white, the Vatican says on its website. I still remember the straw and coal pieces or pitch I took and put in my coat pocket as souvenirs from near the single stove in 1978 when a few of us were allowed to see Area Conclava. The new arrangements makes it certain that black smoke is black and white smoke white, and you need not listen to the huge Vatican bell Kanchenone or other Roman church bells to make sure a new Pope has been elected.
As the whole periphery of the Bernini colonnade was barricaded the crowd found it difficult to go out of the Square, and many old priests and elderly nuns even were found jumping the barricades, with unfortunate results sometimes. Hope a few openings will be left in the coming days.
The Mass for the Election of the Pope
Missa Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice (Mass for the Election of a Roman Pontiff)
So Tuesday has dawned the 12th of March, the day the Conclave starts. But before the Cardinals enter the Conclave, today early in the morning at 7 am, they go to occupy their room for the Conclave duration in St. Martha's House ( many reporters call it a hotel, of course it has 3-star amenities in 100 odd suites and more than a dozen single rooms, but it was ordered by John Paul II as a residence for those coming with official appointments with the Pope and for Cardinals during the election, esp. because of the cramped accommodation in the Sistine area, experienced by John Paul himself as Cardinal during the two elections of 1978) which each has drawn in Saturday's lot. From there they proceeded to the Basilica at around 9.30 for the mass for the election of the Pope. I have just rushed out of the Basilica after Cardinal Sodano’s sermon during the mass. The ceremonies began at around 9.30 with the rosary followed by various prayers and ceremonies given in the special liturgical palmphlet distributed to all as is the custom. Last time in 1978 I could not attend all these pre-mass prayers and ceremonies because as one of the fourteen journalists out of 1300 allowed to photograph the event I was still waiting outside the Basilica side entrance for Cardinal Parecattil to arrive for the mass whom I wanted to photograph, and he was the very last to come. So I entered the Basilica only after the preliminary ceremonies. But this time I took my seats provided for the press up front in the Basilica just behind the 115 princes of the Church - in 1978 only we 14 were given such seats, if I remember right early enough so that I could witness and enjoy all the pomp and glory of the opening of the Solemn Mass, this time by Cardinal Sodano – a non electorunlike the last time in 2005 when Cardinal Ratzinger an elector himself said the Mass and gave the sermon – and the sermon also by Sodana. But entering the Basilica late last time I was fortunate catch the latecoming Cardinal Woijtiw on my Minolta which was the last picture of John Paul II as Cardinal and one of his rarest preconclave photos (see www.indianchristianity.com/html/menachery/html/GeorgeMenachery.htm )
The beautiful procession of the cardinals to the altar (which already had its six lighted candles), following the sleeba cross flanked by two candles and all the red of the cardinals and the huge crowd of Archbishops, Bishops, Monsignori, Priests, nuns, lay men and colourfully dressed women was a sight to see. I especially noticed with delight a large number of Indian Cardinals kissing the Bible (I think) one by one before the Mass. Especially Cardinal Alenchery who is always No. 3 of the electors by virtue of his alphabetical primacy, and Cardinal Thottunkal ( the second Thottungal to be Bishop I think after Clemens) though at the end of the lists as T is towards the end prominent in all assemblies because of his head dress and because he is the youngest Cardinal Elector. As I am typing from a portal in the media center after rushing out of the Basilica on a typewriter with Italian keyboard and typing in a hurry there will be many mistakes. Hope to send a better message from my room later.Bye for now. (I just discovered the apostrophe and now I shall change all the commas used instead till now). (The American journalist next to me was telling me that she thought that there was no apostrophe for the Italians. OK)
The Cardinals go to Martha's at around 12 and return to the Pauline chapel to begin the precession into the Sistine for prayers, meditation by the Maltese non-elector Cardinal Prosper GRECH and for the oath of secrecy followed by the first vote of the conclave this very evening. At around 5 pm the first smoke will come out, probably black. In any case I want to see that and before that let me take a bite of something from the menu which has a lot of things I can't understand at the Media Canteen.
Possible Popes
I do not want to pick any for the future papacy. First of all almost all prophecies in the past have proven wrong. In most cases, except perhaps in the case of Cardinal Ratzinger, the Italian proverb has proved right: He who enters the Conclave Pope comes out Cardinal. We saw this happening again and again, the last time in 1978 Cardinal Siri was believed sure to be elected Pope and also Cardinal Benelli but the pundits were proved wrong by the reality. This time around, as often in the past, the Cardinal electors are supposed to be looking for "personal holiness and a keen mind combined with a global vision, a capacity to evangelize, and the ability to govern “ in the would be pope.
And yet it would be unnatural for a Vatican – Watcher to keep mum about the matter. And hence here we go:
The pundits and the punters have given us many names. Some of the names suggested have ceased to have buyers any more. A few new names have taken the place of some of the old papabili. The following is only some musings on the topic, based on watching the Vatican for well nigh 35 years and having researched the ways of the Church for four decades, but let me say it again this is mostly only a media game to keep the suspense alive, because the final winner might well be a dark horse.
One of the very first who rose into first place as the papal contender both according to the media and the punters was
Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, of Ghana. The exhortations for an African Pope in modern times found Turkson the fittest papabile. But two things have slightly marred his prospects. One: a speech he made depicting muslims not in the best of colours. Two: His remark on the day after benedict’s resignation announcement in which he said he is ready to be pope if God so wished. This type of self projection has been looked down upon by cardinals for a long time and I pointed out this on the same day. In fact Cardinal Siriri’s bright prospects were dimmed because he gave a press conference the day before a previous Conclave.
From the English speaking world and the Commonwealth countries there are half a dozen papabili: From North America we have
Cardinals Timothy Dolan of New York, Sean O’Malley of Boston and Donald Wuerl of Washington from the USA and Cardinal Marc Ouellet from Canada. However the front runners as of today are Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milan – previously of Venice- of Italy and Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Brazil. Others perceived as having a chance are Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary, Cardinal Sandri (now heading the Oriental Congregation) from Argentina, and Cardinal Tagle of Philippines. Cardinals from Sri Lanka, Austria are also among those tipped. As i have mentioned on my site and elsewhere India’s Oswald Gracias might be discerned as the most suitable, perhaps.Each Journalist I question give a different name depending upon his own perceptions, wish list, and nationality.
Whatever might be the prophecies as things stand only the third or fourth day of the Conclave can give us a definite answer.
SUNDAY MORNING
As I was saying, when I went into the Sistine Chapel on Saturday I had wanted to compare the arrangements in the Cappella now with that of 35 years back when John Paul Second was elected. Indeed the situation was entirely different. First of all now the transferring of the Chapel and adjoining halls was only at the initial stages. In 1978 I visited the Area Conclave when all the changes were already in place. Because the Cardinals were staying this time in the St. Martha’s House (Domus Sanctae Marthae), a modern 3 star quality residence building near St. Peter’s completed by John Paul II in 1996 to avoid the inconveniences and hardships of the Cardinals, all forced to stay during previous Conclaves in the little makeshift cubicles in the halls adjoining the Chapel, the only place this time to visit was the Chapel itself. Last time our tour took a long time as we scrutinised the beds, the dining arrangements, the sanitary sections for the electors. Then I remember to have pointed out to some of the leading world pressmen that every table in the dining area had containers with India’s own pepper. Since the tour this time was quite short, though I was able tospend an hour in the Chapel area, more Journalists were allowed to visit this time. Somehow the sense of wonder that was with all the media men allowed to visit was lacking this time, perhaps because all the secrets of the secret Conclave were coming out in the media every day and at length and with lots of graphics and videos.
Sunday was a day of rest, with even the energetic Fr. Francisco Lombardy s.j. deciding not to give one of his lengthy briefings. The Cardinals were free to visit their titular churches in Rome and to say the Mass and pray. Most of them did so while I went to the papal summer resort where I had an appointment with an ecclesiastic acquaintance in Castel Gandolfo which I had visited last Sunday also. The Alba lakeshore is a magnet that no one who has gone there once could resist, with its cycles, cats, birds, calm, chill, and Shanthi, and of course the rustic Tratorias and Pizzerias.
The Sistine Chimney and the Two Stoves Installed
Early in the morning of Saturday 9th March, 2013 when I was heading towards the Media Centre of the Vatican Press Office (catering to the 4000 odd Temporarily accredited media persons) for perhaps the final briefing session before the Conclave by Frederico Lombardi and his efficient team, situated between the first left columns of Bernini, I looked up once again to see whether the chimney has been erected on top of the Sistine Chapel to snake out black and white smoke to indicate non-election or election of a new Pope as the case may be. Yesterday even late in the evening it was not there. In 1978 I went up to the top of the Chapel when the thin pipe had just been installed and in spite of the policemen guarding the pipe was able to just touch the historic tube to the furious reaction of the arm of the law which I have described in my
“Vatican Adventure and Roman Holiday”. Click here for the whole story: www.indianchristianity.com/html/menachery/html/GeorgeMenachery.htm But now I found the Vatican firefighters , I could count at least three of them, hard at work to install the world attention grabbing Chimney. I took a few photographs and was pleased to find Reuters’ photographers just in front of me trying different angles to get the best pic. In case my own pictures turn out not so good I could always steal theirs after one or two days, or was it ethical to do so. I checked to see whether my name was there among the first lot of Journalista selected to visit the Conclave Area, but did not find it in the list. But soon Father Lombardi announced that those who still wanted to make that visit could go to the right fountain in front of the Basilica (that is Bernini’s fountain for you) where arrangements would be made to take the Media personnel to the Sistine, though the Sistine was closed to visitors as of Tuesday noon.
I straight away gathered my things together and was about to get up and don my overcoat (today, unlike yesterday, there were no rains) when an Italian Journalist and her Cameraman asked me for my Portal seat if I were leaving. I gladly gave them my seat and went like an arrow to Bernini’s fountain. Actually the media briefings were getting a little boring as there was mighty little to announce because the media made everything known much before the briefing. Visiting the Chapel being prepared for the Cardinal Electors was much higher up on my agenda. Actually I wanted to compare the present arrangements with the 1978 Conclave Area arrangements which were allowed to be visited by a team of only 60 journalists (out of 1300) which number fortunately had included the present writer also.
At the fountain I met a young person with the Accreditation Card hanging from his neck. So I asked him “Is this the rendezvous”, and he said yes. He was from Chicago and his name was John Paul. I said “Oh!”. He explained that when John Paul II had come to Chicago in 1980 his parents were in the audience. His mother was expecting then. She made a vow then if the child was a boy they would call him John Paul. And he was the outcome. At that time the gentle Bruno from Sala Stampa appeared from behind and said, “So, Prof. Menachery, you want to come with us to the Chapel”. It seems he had arranged a special tour for some vvips I understood. I said I would love to. And we proceeded to the Sistine, climbing the scores of steps of the Stairs of the Kings. I do not remember whether in 1978 we had taken the same steps. But then at forty climbing those steps did not make much of an impression, but now at 75 it really felt like climbing the Everest. We saw the many workmen transferring the Chapel to suit the needs of the election. Restorers, electricians, mechanics, carpenters, seamstresses, assemblers, electronic technicians and other labourers from various areas of competence suddenly have replaced the hundreds of tourists who visit the Sistine Chapel every day (20,000 tourists per day in summer to be exact). I took some photos of the levelling of the floor – for three reasons: to provide a level surface for the chairs (115 cherry wood chairs) of the electors, for them to walk to the altar to vote and to work. Secondly to conceal the electronic devices to prevent the use of mobiles and hidden cameras, and also to protect the wonderful floor of the Sistine. I also photographed the two stoves. This time there are two: one for burning the ballots of the cardinals – for this the old stove cast in 1938 (I remember this because I was born in that year) used for the election of five popes already is used, which has the popes’ names etched on it as I had noticed in 1978. Now it has the names of Pius XII elected in 1939 to that of Benedict XVI (2005). The modern one, equipped with an electronic device, will add the chemicals to produce the black or white smoke indicating the result of the voting until the election occurs. The second stove has a key, a red start button and seven tiny temperature indicator lights. Flares will be electronically ignited inside it to send out either white or black smoke. I finally had one more look at the great Last Judgement of Michelangelo under which the cardinals will stand to put their ballots into the paten and then slide it into the chalice.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias for Pope
I propose Cardinal Oswald Gracias
for Pope. Two weeks back I would not
have made such a, perhaps.
surprising statement. Then I was
thinking that one of the media’s
proposed papabili or a punters’
choice would be and should be
elected Pope without much ado. But
having arrived in Rome on the 25th
of February and having watched with
concern almost bordering on
consternation the chaos and
confusion caused also by the media
revelations each and every day and
the Cardinals’ own responses and
reactions in public and in private I
have been forced to suggest an
entirely new name for the meditation
of the electors.. My experiences in
Rome during papal elections and
other occasions and my four decades
long research into and study of the
Church emboldens me to make this
suggestion. Cardinal Gracias who
considers himself a Goan Catholic,
comes from “non-aligned” and
generally independent thinking
India, a Commonwealth country, a
leader of the third world, and a
country which still provides a large
number of religious and priestly
vocations, with an almost
self-dependent Church, and active in
all mission fields globally.
Cardinal Gracias is known to be
impartial, highly knowledgable, an
excellent leader, heading with
demonstrated skill in holding
together a Catholic community
divided by heterogenous groups of
rites, castes, tribes, languages,
and regions in a country whose
population is as large as the world
Catholic population. He heads one of
the largest Archdioceses in the
world, is the head of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of India, and
was elected FABC Secretary General.
His good record in the fields of
ecumenism and dialogue has been much
appreciated. Of course I am
carrying coal to Newcastle as the
Cardinals surely know their man. He
is a man for all seasons and the man
for our own turbulent and uncertain
times.
--Chev. Prof. George Menachery,
Chief Editor: Christian
Encyclopaedia of India, a
temporarily accredited journalist in
the Vatican.
Conclave must not be Pre-poned - Prof. Menachery
If, as is reported, the election process and the Conclave is preponed and the Conclave meets before the end of the stipulated fifteen days after the Chair becomes vacant it will be a great injustice done to the office of the Pope. Because many of the cardinals -ninety in fact - were named by Benedict XVI in five consistories dated March 24 2006 (15), November 24 2007 (23), November 2010 (24), February 18 2012 (22), and November 24 2012 (6) all of them in the past less than seven years. Many became cardinals only in the near past, 52 have been cardinals only for less than three years. The nine days of the novendials used to provide the cardinals the only opportunity to know each other, to assess each other, and to elect the most suitable as Pope. If the cardinals come for the retirement audience of Pope Benedict XVI and start the Conclave soon after, most will lack the opportunity to know the possible candidates intimately, and the election will be only a farce. The election of the Pope must be deemed an important matter at least by the cardinals and they must set apart sufficient time to proceed without haste and estimate each candidate impartially and in one's own light, notwithstanding the help and guidance of the Holy Ghost. I would like this matter be brought to the attention of each voter before a decision is taken on this important matter. And another thing: These rules for the election of the Supreme Pontiff were promulgated by Popes down the centuries, with Pope Paul VI making some amendments in 1967, 1970, and 1975; Pope John Paul II in 1996; and Pope Benedict in his Motu Proprio of June 11, 2007. It may not look appropriate for Pope Benedict XVI to script an Apostolic Letter on this important matter after he has declared the date of his abdication and in a sense at present heading only a lameduck curia.
Prof. George Menachery
Award for church historian
Menachery
Press Trust of India /
Thrissur May 08, 2012, 21:35
Prof George Menachery,
considered an authority on
Christianity in India, has
been selected for the Bishop
Francis Vazhappilli memorial
award for his contrbutions
to church studies.
The award, instituted by
Shrine Basilica of Our Lady
of Dolours here to recognize
outstanding contributions in
the field of the history of
Christianity in India,
carries a purse of Rs
25,000, citation and
memento.
It will be presented to
Menachery at the
commemorative function on
the 70th death anniversary
of Bishop Francis
Vazhappilly on May 12.
Vazhappilly was the first
Bishop of Thrissur Diocese
and also the founder of the
Basilica.
Menacherry was selected for
the award by a panel of
church historians headed by
Basilica Rector Rev. Louis
Edakkalathur, a press
release issued by the
Basilica said.
He had edited and produced
"The St. Thomas Christian
Enyclopaedia Of India",
acclaimed as the first
Christian Encyclopaedia
based on a particular
country.
He has to his credit a large
number of publications,
research papers, articles,
radio talks and TV
programmes. His research
activities and lectures have
taken him to more than 25
countries in four
continents.
India's
George Alencherry among 22
new cardinals inducted by
Pope
Pope
Benedict, putting
his mark on his
Church's future, on
Saturday inducted 22
men including
India's George
Alencherry into the
exclusive group of
cardinals who will
one day elect one of
their own to succeed
him as leader of the
world's 1.3 billion
Roman Catholics.
Among
the most prominent
in the group is New
York's Archbishop
Timothy Dolan, who
is already being
touted by some
Vatican experts as a
possible future
candidate to become
the first American
pope.
Benedict, who turns
85 in April elevated
the men to the
highest Church rank
below him at a
ceremony in St.
Peter's Basilica
known as a
consistory.
"Cardinals are
entrusted with the
service of love:
love for God, love
for his Church, an
absolute and
unconditional love
for his brothers and
sisters, even unto
shedding their
blood, if necessary
(in defence of the
faith)," the pope
told the new
cardinals before
giving them their
rings and red
birettas, or hats.
"Furthermore, they
are asked to serve
the Church with love
and vigour, with the
transparency and
wisdom of teachers,
with the energy and
strength of
shepherds, with the
fidelity and courage
of martyrs," he
said.
The
new cardinals are
from the United
States, Hong Kong,
Italy, Portugal,
Spain, Brazil,
India, Canada, the
Czech Republic, the
Netherlands,
Romania, Belgium,
and Malta.
Eighteen of them are
aged under 80 and
thus will be
eligible to enter
the secret conclave
to elect the next
pope from among
their own ranks.
Twelve of those are
Europeans, bringing
the number of
"cardinal electors"
from the continent
to 67 out of 125.
With
the new
appointments,
Benedict, who was
elected in a secret
conclave in 2005,
has now named more
than half the
cardinal electors.
The others were
named by his
predecessor John
Paul.
Compared to the 67
"cardinal electors"
from Europe, Latin
America now has 22,
North America has
15, Africa has 11,
Asia has nine and
Oceania has one.
Cardinals are the
pope's closest
collaborators in the
Vatican and around
the world. They lead
major archdioceses
and run key Vatican
departments that
help the pope decide
Church policy and
doctrine that can
affect the lives of
Catholics worldwide.
FIRST, BE MEN OF
RELIGION, POPE TELLS
NEW CARDINALS
At
the ceremony, the
pope told the new
cardinals that while
they will cooperate
closely with him in
"the delicate task"
of governing the
worldwide Church,
they must first and
foremost be men of
religion.
"May
your mission in the
Church and the world
always be 'in
Christ' alone,
responding to his
logic and not that
of the world, and
may it be illumined
by faith and
animated by charity
which comes to us
from the glorious
Cross of the Lord,"
he said.
Benedict also asked
for prayers so that
he can guide the
Church "with a firm
and humble hand".
Numerically, at
least, the pope has
increased the
chances that the
next pontiff will be
a conservative
European but there
have been surprises
in past conclaves.
The
pope is a
conservative on
matters of faith and
sexual morals such
as birth control,
homosexuality and
the ban on women
priests. Each time
he names cardinals
he puts his stamp on
Roman Catholicism's
future by choosing
men who share his
views.
Besides Dolan, other
prominent new
cardinals are John
Tong Hon, archbishop
of Hong Kong, and
Rainer Maria Woelki,
archbishop of Berlin
in the pope's native
Germany.
Seven
of new "cardinal
electors" under the
age of 80 are
Italian - six of
them members of the
Vatican's central
administration and
the other the
archbishop of
Florence.
Popes
usually reign for
life but in a book
last year, Benedict
said he would not
hesitate to become
the first pontiff to
resign willingly in
more than 700 years
if he felt himself
no longer able,
"physically,
psychologically and
spiritually", to run
the Catholic Church.
Several popes in
recent history,
including the late
Pope John Paul,
considered resigning
for health reasons,
but none did so.
The
last pope to resign
willingly was
Celestine V in 1294
after reigning for
only five months.
Gregory XII
reluctantly
abdicated in 1415 to
end a dispute with a
rival claimant to
the Holy See.
The
Vatican says the
pope's health is
good but he needs to
conserve his
strength. Last
October he started
using a mobile
platform which aides
use to wheel him up
the central aisle of
St Peter's Basilica.
Kerala elated as
Alencherry ordained
cardinal
Catholics, and the
people at large, in
Kerala were elated
as Mar George
Alencherry, the
Major Archbishop of
Ernakulam-Angamaly
diocese of the Syro-Malabar
Church, was on
Saturday ordained a
cardinal of the
Roman Catholic
Church. Many of the
Catholics, who form
50 per cent of the
over seven million
Christians in Kerala,
were glued to the
live coverage from
the Vatican as
Alencherry was
ordained by the Pope
along with 21 other
bishops from various
countries.
Alencherry, 66,
becomes the youngest
cardinal in the
country and the
fourth Keralite to
be ordained.
Cardinal Mar George
Alencherry (right)
helps Monsignor
Kuriakose
Bharanikulangara
with the episcopal
sash after
announcing his
appointment as the
first bishop of new
Faridabad diocese,
in Kochi on Tuesday.
— DC
Cardinal clears
the air
Pope Benedict XVI on
Tuesday created a
new diocese of
Faridabad for the
Syro-Malabar
Catholic Church and
appointed Monsignor
Kuriakose
Bharanikulangara,
53, the deputy
nuncio of Vatican in
Germany, as its
first bishop.
The announcement was
made simultaneously
in Vatican and in
Kochi. Mar
Bharanikulangara
will have the title
of archbishop as
well.
Making the
announcement at
Mount St Thomas,
Kochi, the seat of
the Syro-Malabar
Church, Cardinal Mar
George Alencherry
said the new diocese
covers the region of
National Capital
Territory of Delhi
and states of
Haryana, Punjab,
Himachal Pradesh,
and Jammu Kashmir
and the
Gautambudhanagar and
Ghaziabad districts
of UP.
The new diocese will
look after the
spiritual needs of
nearly one lakh Syro-Malabar
catholics. With
this, the number of
dioceses of the
church has gone up
to 30, including the
10 outside Kerala.
The Faridabad
diocese will have
multiple
jurisdiction like
the Kalyan diocese
of the Church (Other
8 dioceses outside
Kerala come under
the territorial
jurisdiction of
Latin Catholic
dioceses).
Mar Bharanikulangara,
born to Alia and
late B.V. Antony on
February 1, 1959 at
Karippassery in the
archdiocese of
Ernakulam-Angamaly,
has served as a
diplomat of the
Vatican in the last
18 years, including
its nunciatures in
the UN, Iraq,
Jordan, Venezuela,
Republic of Congo
and Gibon.
Muziris letter to Defence
Minister AK Antony
Respeced Minister for
Defence,
Sir,
Kindly go
through the two
attachments.Your
Excellency,It would be great
, both for India and Kerala,
if a Muziris Voyage along
the lines of the First
century voyages from and to
the Red Sea Ports of
Berinice, Aden- and Socotra
- which were frequent in the
early centuries - could
be re enacted as suggested
by the KeralaHistory
Association headed by the
venerable Justice V R
Krishna Iyer. Such a trip
would get immense world
media attention and will go
a long way to promote
Tourism in the country and
to project a glorious image
of India's and Kerala's
culture and achievements in
the early centuries BCE and
ACE. The Indian Navy could
play a pivotal role in such
a trip as was played by the
Omani Navy in the voyageof
the 'Jewel of
Muscat'.Entreating your good
selves and the Navy to
kindly take immediate and
effectivesteps in the
matter, and to include the
necessary funds in the forth
coming budget itsef for 1. a
feasibility study, 2. for a
Project Report, 3. for the
construction of a Sail Ship
at Beypore or elsewhere, and
4. for the training of a
dedicated team of sailors
and navigators, and 5. to
form a team of researcheras
for the purpose.
Thanking you,
Yours
sincerely,
Prof. George
Menachery, West Bazaar,
Ollur, Trichur District,
Kerala 6803060091
98460337130091 487 235 43980091
487 235 2468kunjethy@gmail.com,kunjethy@yahoo.com
Muziris Red Sea Voyage
Re-enact Muziris voyages,
KHA tells Navy
K.A. MARTIN & S. ANANDAN
(THE HINDU 21/I/12)
Defence Ministry told to
take the lead in rebuilding
such a vessel at Beypore
The Kerala History
Association (KHA) headed by
jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer has
urged the Indian Navy to
join hands with the
Departments of Cultural
Affairs and Tourism to
re-enact the voyages of
ancient trade vessels from
the ancient port of Muziris
to the Red Sea around 2000
years ago.
In a key resolution, passed
early this month, the
association asked the Union
Defence Ministry to take the
lead in rebuilding such a
cargo vessel at Beypore, a
historical boatbuilding hub
in northern Kerala renowned
for its esoteric technology
adept at building ‘urus'
[cargo sail yachts] using
locally available timber and
coir.
The association felt that
recreating a cargo vessel
that plied the seas from
Muziris to link ports in the
Red Sea on the Egyptian and
the Yemeni coasts would
highlight the strong
historical links between the
two important regions of the
world besides bringing to
the world's attention their
cultural exchanges.
Historian K.N. Panikkar
endorsed the idea when he
told The Hindu on Friday
that it would be good if the
Navy undertook such a
mission.
He recalled that such
efforts had been made in
other parts of the world,
including in the recreation
of journeys along the old
Silk Route.
It must have taken 40 days
to reach Muziris from Egypt
by sea in the olden times,
said George Menacherry, a
church historian, who
piloted the resolution at
the association's meeting.
He, however, added that the
‘Jewel of Muscat,' a replica
of the late first-millennium
trading vessel that sailed
around the world jointly
created by the Sultanate of
Oman and the Government of
Singapore, had shown that
the journey would take just
27 days now.
Approached for its comments,
the Navy said although it
had not received the
proposal yet, it would study
the merits of the project
before taking a call on
that.
“While the Navy has always
taken a keen interest in
understanding, conserving,
and contributing to build
upon the rich maritime
history that India boasts,
collaboration in such
ventures require decision at
the highest-level,” said
Navy sources.
In the State, the Navy has
earlier assisted the
archaeological excavation
team at Pattanam (where
vestiges of Kerala's trade
with the Mediterranean
countries were exhumed) by
sending its deep-sea divers
to conduct underwater
surveys.
It sustains a chair on
maritime history at Calicut
University and the local
chapter of the Maritime
History Society is headed by
the Southern Naval Command's
Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).
When the ‘Jewel of Muscat',
currently installed as a
maritime history museum in
Singapore after a historical
sail along the ancient
Middle East and the Far
East, was constructed in
Oman on the lines of a
shipwrecked ninth-century
cargo vessel, uru-builders
of Beypore were called in to
build it.
Built without nails or
screws and with planks sewn
together using coconut
fibres, the sail yacht was
made by over a dozen
carpenters and rope-makers
from Beypore.
“There was a time when the
boatbuilding industry here
had its hands full, building
about 60 urus
simultaneously. Even now,
they build about six to
seven urus for foreign
customers who use them for
tourism promotion. They
recently constructed one for
a French customer. Exponents
of the esoteric technology
of uru-making are not many
now. But still there are a
few and scores of workers
are employed by them to
carry out the job. They can
create mock-ups of ancient
ships as well,” said M.P.
Padmanabhan, INTUC national
leader and an authority on
the subject.
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE GOVT.
SUBSIDY
Andhra Pradesh Govt.
Minority Welfare Dept.
Scheme & Govt. Order
High
Court Verdict Setting aside
objections to Pilgrimage
Subsidy
Letter to the Hon'ble Chief
Minister of Kerala
Prof.
George Menachery
From
Chev. Prof. George Menachery
Chief Editor St. Thomas
Christian Encyclopaedia of
India
Member Archdiocesan Pastoral
Council
Member Of the Governing Body
Christian Chair, Calicut
University
Pallinada
Ollur Kerala 680306
09846033713, 04872352468,
04872354398
kunjethy@gmail.com,kunjethy@yahoo.com
www.indianchristianity.com,www.nazraney.com.www.menachery.org
To
Sri Oommen Chandy
Honb'le Chief Minister of
Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram
Respected Sir,
We the representatives of
the Nazraney Maha
Kudumbayogam (Myself as
President) had visited you
at your residence and
submitted a petition signed
by the President, Secretary,
Office Secretary, and Fr. K.
M. George of the Pazhaya
Seminary humbly requesting
you to kindly grant a State
subsidy to the Holy Land
pilgrims from Kerala. At
that time you had kindly
consented to consider the
the also the desire for
setting up a St. Thomas
University, to make
arrangements for the
protection and conservation
of ancient Christian
monuments, and to consider
the Holy LandPilgrimage
subsidy. However when you
asked for details of such
subsidies granted by other
South Indian States we were
unable to provide the
details during such a short
interview.
I am herewith sending the
copy of the AP Government
Order granting Holy Land
Pilgrimage Subsidy to the
tune of Rs. 20,000/- per
pilgrim.The detailed GO also
lays down conditions for
tour operators and
parameters for the
aselection of pilgrims. In
the first year AP Govt. had
set aside an amount of Rs.
Two Crores for the purpose
to subsidise the pilgrimage
of 1000 pilgrims.
This and the other exemplary
schemes of the AP Minorities
Development Finance
Department are also
enclosed.whichcould perhaps
be followed by your
honourable Goverment also.
Also enclosed is the Court
Judgement of the AP High
Court setting aside all
objections raised by
interested parties against
the granting of the said
subsidy.
We had also met in
Trivandrum other ministers
and legislators, including
Sarvasri K. M. Mani, T.M.
Jacob, P.J.Joseph, K.C.
Joseph, Abdl Rabb, and the
MLAs C.F.Thomas, Mons
Joseph, Ravindranath, M. P.
Vincent and C. who all
expressed their support and
goodwill for all these
efforts, and many had also
asked for copies of the AP
GO which I was able to
procure from the AP Ministry
in Hyderabad recently.
Awaiting your government,s
kind and favorable response
and action,
Yours faithfully,
Prof. George Menachery.
Copy to: Hon'bleMinister Sri
K. M. Mani
Sri Abdul Rubb
Sri. T. M. Jacob
Sri P. J. Joseph
Sri K. C. Joseph
Copies also to Sri P.
C.George
C. F. Thomas
Mons Joseph
Prof. Ravindranath
M. P. Vincent
& Other Hon’ble Minsters and
Legislators we could not
meet on that occasion.
Copy of letters recd. From
AP with copies of AP GO on
Subsidy to Holy Land
Pilgrims and High Court
Order setting aside all
objections to proceeding
with the Holy Land
Pilgrimage Subsidies and
also Summary of Schemes of
the AP Govt. Minorities
Welfare Finance Corporation
and AP Govt Minorities
Welfare Department.
Dear Prof.George Menachary,
Just a short note to send
you the attached GO
concerning the Holy Land
Pilgrimage for Christians of
Andhra Pradesh.
All the best for your
efforts to get similar
benefits to the
Christians in Kerala.
With warmest regards,
Dr.Jetti A.Oliver
JAO/kbm
Dear Prof. George Menachery,
Hope you had a safe travel
back home. This note is to
send you the
attached copy of the
judgment of the AP High
Court lifting the ban on
pilgrimage of Christians to
the Holy Land duly sponsored
by the
Minority Welfare Department
of the Govt. of A.P0.
Attached also are
a few paper clippings as
desired.
Copy of the petition
personally handed over to
your good selves at the
Chief Minister’s residence,
Trivandrum by the Mar Thoma
Nazraney Maha Kudumbayogam:
Petition made by the
delegates empowered by the
extraordinary conference of
the St. Thomas Maha
Kudumbayogam and invited
scholars held at
Kuruvilangad on 3rd July,
2011 to the Hon’bleChief
Minister of Kerala Sri
Oommen Chandy Esq.:,
Thiruvananthapuram.
Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sir,
We the delegates of the St.
Thomas Maha Kudumbayogam and
representatives of the
scholars and cultural
activists of the various
Nazraney Christian
Denominations take this
opportunity to bring to your
attention the incomparable
record of service rendered
by these Thomas Christian
Communities to the people of
Kerala in the fields of
culture, education, and
social service and to
request you and your
respected Government to
kindly take the initiative
to implement and realise the
following :
1. To establish a University
in the name of St. Thomas
the Apostle of Christ who
was the founder of the
Christian Faith adhered to
by the lakhs and lakhs of
members of the Syro Malabar
Church, the Syrian Orthodox
Church, the Jacobite Syrian
Church, the Mar Thoma
Church, the Syro Malankara
Church, the Chaldean Church
and many other Churches and
denominations of Kerala, on
the pattern of the Sri
Sankara Sanskrit University
of Kalady or the Mahathma
Gandhi University of
Kottayam.
2. To allow a pilgrim grant
and/or subsidy to all
Christians of Kerala,
irrespective of sect or
denomination or rite
desirous of making a
Pilgrimage to the places
associated with Lord Jesus
Christ in the New Testament
and the Venerable Fathers of
the Old Testament in the
Holy Land to promote
spirituality and true
religious fervour.
3. To instruct the
Departments of Archaeology
and Tourism to protect,
conserve, and popularise all
the different Jewish and
Christian Monuments in the
State, including the
Megalithic monuments..
Yours faithfully,
1. Rev. Dr. K.M. George.,
Old Seminary, Kottayam
2. Chev. Prof. George
Menachery, Historian,
Trhrissur, President
3.Abram Ben Hur, General
Secretary, St. Thomas Maha
Kudumba Yogam, Archadeacon
Centre, Pakalomattom P. O.,
Kuruvilangad, Kottayam.
4.Jacob Thomas Edassery,
Kuravilangad.
5.Prof. Dr. Tarsis Joseph,
Kuravilangad.
CHURCH HISTORY ASSOCIATION
OF INDIA
15th TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE
AND PLATINUM JUBILEE
CELEBRATIONS
Hyderabad 2011
Inauguration of the
15th Triennial
Conference of CHAI,
the Church History
Association of India
at Jeevan Jyothi CRI
Andhra Pradesh
Centre by the
Cultural Secretary
of the Govt. of AP
Dr. Chellappa IAS
presided over by Dr.
Sen IPS DGP and
Bishop Rajaratnam of
Medak. In the
picture (l to r) are
Prof. George
Menachery (Secretary
General CHAI), Dr.
Oberland Snaitang
(President), Dr.
George Oommen (Dehra
Dun), Dr. Jos
Kalappura (Patna),
Dr. Francis
Thonippara
(President DVK,
Bangalore) and Prof.
Agnes DeSa (Bombay
Jt. Secretary) (6th
Oct)
Inauguration of the
Platinum Jubilee
Celebrations of CHAI
the Church History
Association of India
at the Jubilee Hall
of the Govt. of
Andhra Pradesh by
Sri Francisco
Sardhanha, former
speaker and Chief
Minister of Goa and
at present MP and
Chairman of the
Plarliamentary
Estimates Committee
by releasing the
1000 page Platinum
Jubilee Volume of
CHAI "Christian
Heritage of India".
Others in the
picture are
Sebastian
Edathikkavil cmi
(Treasurer), Dr.
Oliver A. Jetti
(Allahabad
University and
President of the
Organising
Committee), Ms.
Christine MLA, Swami
Aravinda (President
of the State Hare
Krishna Movement),
Prof. George
Menachery (Secretary
General), Dr.
Oberland Snaitang
(President CHAI),
Dr. "Cardinal"
Thomas Edmunds
(Vice-President),
and Dr. Charles Dias
MP (Chai Member and
Office Bearer).
The Platinum
Jubilee Celebrations and
15th Triennial Conference of
the Church History
Association of India (CHAI)
will be held from
October 6 to 9, 2011
(i.e. from the
Vijayadashami Thursday to
the following Sunday) at
HYDERABAD, A.P. at Jeevan
Jyothi, Begumpet, Hyderabad.
Begumpet is about 4kms from
Secunderabad railway station
and 6kms from
Hyderabad(Nampally) railway
station. Bangalore train
terminates at Kacheguda
railway station which is
about 10kms from the
venue.Prepaid taxis are
available at the
Airport.Registration fee for
Delegates / Participants is
Rs.300/- Boarding and
lodging will be provided at
no extra cost. The half day
city tour also will be
financed by the organisers.
Conference Theme:
Indian
Christian Historical and
Cultural Studies -Yesterday,
Today, Tomorrow
1. CHAI is pleased to invite
Scholarly Papers related to
the above theme, adhering
uniformly to any of the
standard style sheets, from
CHAI members and other
scholars. The duration of
the paper will be 20 minutes
followed by discussion which
will not exceed 10 minutes.
Title of paper to be sent
before the 10th of August
2011; Synopsis to be
received by 20th August
2011; and the complete paper
to be received before 31st
August, 2011 and in any case
not later than the 10th of
September 2011by e-mail
(preferably in MS Word or
Adobe Pagemaker) in addition
to a hard copy by post or
courier addressed to the
Secretary General Prof.
George Menachery, Pallinada,
Ollur, Kerala, 680306;
kunjethy@gmail.com,
kunjethy@yahoo.com. For
other particulars contact
the Secretary General 0091
9846033713, +91 487 2352468,
+91 487 2354398 or other
National office-bearers.
2. The last date for
receiving entries for the
CHAI Platinum Jubilee All
India Essay Competition on
the theme"Preservation
of Christian Monuments and
Landmarks in India" (1000
to 1500 words) is 31st
August 2011. Separate
competitions are being held
for a) Seminarians, b)
University and College
Students, and c) the General
Public. In each category
there will be three prizes
of Rs. 8000/-, 5000/-, and
2000/-.For further details
contact the Convener Dr.
Varghese Perayilvarghesepera@yahoo.co.in 09447359139,
Prof. Agnes De Sa, ahdesa@rediffmail.com 09967801723,
or the Rev. Jeremiah ACTC
Hyderabad prjapadam@gmail.com 09247463467
or the General Secretary
09846033713.
3. The Platinum Jubilee
Commemoration Volume
containing 75 scholarly
papers on India's
Christian Heritage
is in the press. For details
contact the chief editors
Dr. Oberland Snaitang
09856642859 or Prof. George
Menachery 09846033713.
4. Objects of historical,
artistic,
archaeological...significance
are invited for the
Christian Historico-Cultural
Exhibition to be held at the
venue on the theme
Indian Christian Heritage
of the South, West, North,
East, and North-East.
Contact the local organising
committee: Dr. Oliver
04027002498, Rev. Jeremiah
09247463467 or the CHAI
Southern India Branch
Secretary cum Treasurer Dr.
Manasseh 09848123927.
5. Useful numbers for
details regarding
registration of delegates
and participants,
accommodation, travel
details, local taxi and auto
fares, bus routes, other
directions: Dr. Oliver
04027002498, Rev. Jeremiah
09247463467 or the CHAI
Southern India Branch
Secretary cum Treasurer Dr.
Manasseh 09848123927 or the
General Secretary
09846033713, 09400494398.
CHAI members are cordially
invited to participate.
Other interested scholars
also may kindly contact the
organisers.
The tallest stone
cross in the world
the great cross at
Valle de los Caídos
near Madrid Spain
soaring to a height
of
150 Mts. Ca. 450 ft.
probably inspired
by the open air or
outdoor crosses of
the
Kerala churches
termed Nazraney
Sthambams,
the pedestals of
which are
‘balikkallus’ or
sacrificial altars
or stones.
Invitation
2011 Paithrika Jnana Yatjnjam DUBAI
May 13th, 2011 | Dubai
2011 Paithrika Jnana Yathnam led by
Chevalier Professor George Menachery
Friday, May 13th, 2011 | Dubai – 12
noon to 5 pm
A Passion for the
Heritage of the Syro Malabar Community
"Several essential features of the
Syro Malabar culture, history, traditions and customs
are challenged and unknown in our day. It is important
that we be well grounded in these truths so that we may
have a deep affection for our unique heritage." --- Chev.
Prof. Menachery
On May 13th, 2011, UACT is proud to invite you to join
us with Prof. George Menachery as he looks at several
important and at the same time forgotten or
halfforgotten aspects of the great Syro Malabar
tradition, such as the Indian sojourn of Apostle St.
Thomas, culture, art, architecture, customs, manners and
festivals, Syro Malabar folklore, food habits, costumes,
and ornaments, Malayalee names and their origins, the
Syro-Malabarians’ rightful place in India and in all
regions, their international presence, chief events in
their history and many other interesting matters…..
Once Again About the New Church Consecrated in Doha in 2009
The St Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, the largest among the
Inter-DenominationalChristian
Church(IDCC)
members, was consecrated on Friday at Mesaimeer, in the presence
of thousands of faithful.
Theblessing
ceremonywas
led by the Syro-Malabar Church head MajorArchbishop
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathiland
Vicar Apostolic of Arabia Bishop Paul Hinder, who had flown in
from the Church’s homeland of Kerala, and theUAE,
respectively.
Archbishopof
Thrissur Mar Andrews Thazhathu, Archbishop of Rajkot Mar Gregory
Karotemprel CMI, ad-hoc priest and church construction committee
patron Fr Jose Thachukunnel and others participated in the
consecration event.
Committee chairman and the ceremony’s general convener Dr Mohan
Thomas, IDCC chief co-ordinator Siby Joseph, Fr Simon
Cheruvathur, trustees Antony Tholath and Johnson Antony and
officials of various committees were among those who attended.
Speaking during the ceremony, Mar Thazhathu described the St
Thomas Syro-Malabar Church as a symbol of hope for the migrants
from the community.
“Theteachings
of the Catholic Churchhas
got a better expression inDohawith
this Church,” he said while expressing gratitude to HH the Emir
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH theHeir
ApparentSheikh
Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
The Syro-Malabar Church is anApostolic
Churchwhich
traces its origin to the Apostolate of St Thomas (one of the12
apostlesof
Christ) who landed at Cranganore (present day Kodungallore,
Kerala) in 52 AD and founded seven Christian communities.
It is one of the 22 sui juris (self-governing) Oriental Churches
in Catholic Communion, under theChurch
of Rome, with its own particular characteristics
expressed in worship, spirituality, theology and disciplinary
laws.
There are 26 dioceses in the Syro-Malabar Church across the
globe, with 15 inIndia.
It is estimated that there are more than 3.7mn Syo-Malabar
Catholics.
The IDCC
complex at Mesaimeer, which houses theplaces
of worshipof
28 different IndianChristian
denominations, was inaugurated on March 28 this year
by HE the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry
Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah.
Syro-Malabar Church:
More Attention to Indian Immigrants in Arab Countries
ROME, Oct.
18, 2010: Bishop Bosco Puthur of Foratiana and participant
in the Synod for theMiddle
East, described the situation of the 400 thousand
Syro-Malabar Indian immigrants who work in thePersian
Gulf region. For the bishop,the
faithful immigrants in Arab countries are moving away from
the Church in the absence of parishes and the lack formed
clergy.
The situation
of the Christian migrants in the Arab countries is among the
most important issues discussed at the Synod Churches for
Middle East being held in Rome.
With over 400
thousand out of 3 million Christians faithful emigrant in
the countries of thePersian
Gulf, the Indian Syro-Malabar is among the most
important communities in the region. Its presence in the
Arab countries, however, is threatened not only by the
restrictions typical of Islamic states, but include
inadequate attention to the pastoral problems and social
rights of the faithful who come from India to work in the
region.
Bishop Bosco
Puthur stresses that the lack of catechesis and religious
sites are distancing many faithful from theCatholic
Churchand
calls for greater attention from the Holy See to this
community. He drew attention to the “new and important
phenomenon taking place in Middle Eastern countries is the
arrival of hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers from
Africa and Asia…These people are subject to social
injustice…This immigration calls for the attention of our
Churches which have the pastoral responsibility to assist
them in both religious and social matters”.
The
Syro-Malabar faithful have been present in the Gulf Region
since 1960s. They fully depend upon the Latin Vicariates of
Kuwait and Arabia for their pastoral needs. These
ecclesiastical structures created in the twentieth century
for a few thousand emigrants are not at all adequate to take
care of millions of faithful now present in the region.
We gratefully
acknowledge the efforts of the two Vicars apostolic of the
region. However, the situation of the pastoral care of the
Syro-Malabar faithful in theArabian
Gulf countriesis
very inadequate and unsatisfactory. There are almost
4,30,000 Syro-Malabar migrants in the region (Saudi
Arabia190,000;
UAE-110,000; Oman 45,000; Kuwait-40, 000;Bahrain35,000
and Qatar 10,000.), but not even a single parish is erected
for them. There is no proper pastoral care and faith
formation-catechesis for the Syro-Malabar faithful according
to the proper ecclesial tradition, except in Doha. The
Syro-Malabar hierarchy is not at all involved nor invited
for this purpose. The only church that was built for our
faithful in Doha is not even erected as a parish, but
remains an outstation of the Latin parish. Besides, serious
restrictions are placed on the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy
through a ‘Rescript’ from the Holy See, which prevents any
involvement of our Church for providing proper pastoral care
to our faithful in the area.
The community
is in a precarious situation andmany
of them have become indifferent to the practice of Catholic
faith. As there is the inadequacy in the pastoral care,
there is the ever growing danger of our people being led
astray by Pentecostal groups thriving in the Gulf region.
Hence it is essential to entrust the pastoral care of the
Syro-Malabar faithful to our own Church, erecting proper
ecclesial structures and granting jurisdiction to our
hierarchy. Contrary to the opinion generally circulated by
some ecclesiastics, the governments in the Gulf Region are
in general open to the Christian communities, since at
present they need emigrant workers.
In this
situation,the
Syro-Malabar Church proposes to theApostolic
Seeto
take immediate and appropriate action to establish at least
one eparchy/ exarchy in the Gulf region for the Syro-Malabar
faithful.The
proposed ecclesiastical unit may cover the present
ecclesiastical territories of the Vicariates of Arabia and
Kuwait. Politically this includes the countries ofQatar,
Bahrain, Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia andKuwait.
The Seat may be Doha, the Capital of Qatar. Here we have the
only Syro-Malabar church in the Gulf region and Qatar is
relatively open and politically rather liberal.
Geographically, it is the most accessible to all in the
region.
We hope and
pray that the Apostolic See may take appropriate action to
redress the grave situation in the region and enable all
concerned to provide adequate pastoral care to our faithful
in accordance with the liturgical and spiritual tradition of
theSt
Thomas Christians”.
Silver Jubilee of the Indian Visit of Pope John Paul the Second
Double Delight for Kerala Christians
His Holiness Pope John Paul II commenced his Kerala visit on the 7th of February 1986. The first public function of the day was at Trichur or more familiarly Thrissur - the Cultural Capital of Kerala where the Pope enjoyed the “Pooram” with 15 caparisoned elephants and Muthukkudas (colourful parasols) staged by the Paramekkavu Devaswom and the 25 cultural programmes arranged around the papal path at the St. Thomas Nagar - today’s Shakthan Thamburan Nagar. During his Kerala visit the Pope beatified Sr Alphonsa (who is now a Saint of the Church) and Fr Chavara Kuriakose Elias at a great function in Kottayam.The whole of Kerala is commemorating this Silver Jubilee event with colourful functions and religious ceremonies. This Silver Jubilee occasion has become memorable on account of another event too viz. the beatification of the saintly pope on 1st May 2011, the first Sunday after Easter, hardly four score days after the event, at the Vatican by the Roman Pontiff Benedict XVI.. It is a “first” in Church History since it is for the first time that the Catholic Church is beatifying a person just after 6 years of his death on 2nd April 2005.
Pope John Paul II, shard his world-view and vision with dozens of countries and cultures during his long tenure of almost three decades as the Supreme Pontiff. He was a Leader for All Seasons and was accepted by the tens of millions of people who who thronged to have a glimpse of him in various continents as Guide, Philosopher, and Friend. His leadership to liberate millions from the yoke of unjust governments has been much appreciated, including his role in the liberation of his own country Poland from Commuism.
He was the most travelled pope ever, visiting more than 120 nations during the third longest papacy in history covering it is said a distance equalling 1.5 trips to the moon.Pope John Paul II is also remembered for raising a record number of persons to SAINTHOOD. He was perhaps the only Pope who was shot at but he survied the May 13 1981 attempt on his life and lived to forgive the would be assassin. His voice resounded from all corners of the world exhoting people againt war, abortions, and human rights violations.
He passed away on April 2, 2005. During the last ceremonies for the pope attended by millions the cry went up to cannonise him immediately and Pope Benedict XVI waived the 5 year wait for the commencement of the process and now after just 5years of his death he is being beatified - after the miraculous healing of a French nun suffering from the Parkinson’s disease.
Reuters adds:
During his 2005 funeral Mass, crowds at the Vatican shouted for Pope John Paul II to be made a saint immediately, chanting “Santo Subito!” for one of the most important and beloved popes in history.
His successor heard their call and on Friday, in the fastest process on record, set May 1 as the date for John Paul’s beatification — a key step toward Catholicism’s highest honor and a major morale boost for a church reeling from the clerical sex abuse scandal.
Pope Benedict XVI set the date after declaring that a French nun’s recovery from Parkinson’s disease was the miracle needed for John Paul to be beatified. A second miracle is needed for the Polish-born John Paul to be made a saint.
The May 1 ceremony
— which Benedict himself will celebrate —is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Rome for a precedent-setting Mass: never before has a pope beatified his immediate predecessor.
Though the numbers aren’t expected to necessarily reach the 3 million who flocked here for John Paul’s funeral, religious tour operators in John Paul’s native Poland were already making preparations to bus and fly in the faithful to celebrate a man many considered a saint while alive.
“We have waited a long time and this is a great day for us,”said Mayor Ewa Filipiak of John Paul’s hometown of Wadowice, Poland, where the faithful lit candles Friday and prayed at a chapel in the town church dedicated to John Paul.
Father Pawel Danek, who runs a museum in John Paul’s family home, said Benedict had listened to the prayers of the faithful.
“The Holy Father has confirmed what we all felt somehow,” he said.“For us, John Paul II’s holiness is obvious.”
Benedict put John Paul on the fast track to possible sainthood just weeks after he died, waiving the typical five-year waiting period before the process could begin. But he insisted that the investigation into John Paul’s life be thorough to avoid any doubts about his virtues.
The beatification will nevertheless be the fastest on record, coming just over six years after his death and beating out Mother Teresa’s then-record beatification in 2003 by a few days.
It is not without controversy, however. While John Paul himself was never accused of improprieties, he has long been accused of responding slowly when the sex abuse scandal erupted in the United States in 2002. Many of the thousands of cases that emerged last year involved crimes and cover-ups that occurred on his 26-year watch.
Critics have faulted John Paul’s overriding concern with preserving the rights of accused priests, often at the expense of victims — a concern formed in part by his experiences in Communist-controlled Poland where priests were often accused of trumped up charges by the regime.
And here’s what the BBC had reported in 2005:
Pope seeks to beatify John Paul - pilgrims at the Pope’s funeral called for his immediate sainthood.
Pope Benedict XVI has begun the process of beatifying his predecessor John Paul II, the first step to sainthood.
“The cause for the beatification of John Paul II is open,” the new Roman Catholic leader told priests meeting at Rome’s Basilica of St John in Lateran.
The Pope waived the usual rules which require a five-year wait before the Church begins to make someone a saint.
John Paul II died on 2 April, leading to widespread calls from Catholics worldwide for him to be made a saint.
Standing ovation
BEATIFICATION PROCESS
Beatification requires that a miracle has occurred Group approaches local bishop After Rome’s approval an investigation is launched Findings are sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints Case is presented to the Pope Blessed may be accorded a feast day Relics of the candidate may be venerated Canonisation (actual sainthood) requires proof of a second miracle
REASONS FOR THE FAST TRACK
“And now I have a very joyous piece of news for you,” Pope Benedict XVI said in Italian before making the announcement in Latin.
The Pope read out a letter from Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, the official in charge of sainthood, in which it said that Benedict XVI himself had authorised the start of the beatification process.
The news was met with a standing ovation from the priests attending the meeting.
It comes on the anniversary of an assassination attempt on John Paul II in 1981, when he was shot in St Peter’s Square by a Turkish gunman.
Life Examined
Information will now be gathered on the former pope’s life and teachings, including all private writings from the period before he became pope, and checked for orthodoxy to ensure that he expressed no heretical views.
Pope John Paul II abandoned the five-year rule when he beatified Mother Teresa
A commission of historians will be appointed to gather all of the documents together, which will then be examined by panels of theologians, and cardinals and bishops.
If a two-thirds majority agree with John Paul II’s beatification Pope Benedict XVI will then be called upon to give his own approval.
But Vatican expert Michael Walsh told the BBC that for the process to be complete the Vatican authorities will then have to establish that a miracle has been ascribed to Pope John Paul II.
“They have to prove someone has been miraculously healed... by his intercession, by praying to John Paul II, he or she has recovered from cancer or something of that sort,” he said.
Miracle needed
In the days following his death Italian media carried a number of reports of alleged miracles attributed to Pope John Paul II, including one claim that an American man suffering from a brain tumour was cured after receiving communion from the late pontiff.
But the alleged miracles occurred during the Pope’s lifetime, and the beatification process studies those occurring after the candidate’s death.
Beatification allows public veneration of the person and for the person to be known as “Blessed”. For actual sainthood, proof of at least two miracles is required.
Beatification allows public veneration of the blessed person
In normal circumstances five years must pass between the death of the person proposed for beatification and the start of the procedure, to avoid emotion playing a part.
However, John Paul II dispensed with this rule himself when in 2003 he beatified Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
The entire process was completed just six years after her death.
On Friday Pope Benedict XVI also announced who would succeed him as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Sixty-eight-year-old William Levada, Archbishop of San Francisco, is the first American to hold the post as the Vatican’s chief watchdog of orthodoxy.
The Apostolic Nunciature in India, New Delhi.
His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Titular Archbishop of Montemarano, is the new Apostolic Nuntio to India. The following is the CURRICULUM VITAE of His Grace:
► His Excellency, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio was born in Marano (Naples) Italy on 7 September 1952.
► He was ordained a priest on 18 September, 1976.
► He holds a Doctorate in Philosophy and entered into the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on 15 April, 1979.
► He served in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Panama, Ethiopia, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, Yugoslavia and Ireland.
► On 28 November, 1998, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda.
► On 20 November, 2003, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia, and Apostolic Delegate in Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia and Brunei.
► On 8 May, 2010, he was appointed apostolic Nuncio to India
Cardinal Gracias and Cardinal Toppo Dedicate the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India to the Nation
GUWAHATI, March 3
The publication of the three volumes of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India is a worthy model for the world Churches and an incomparable achievement and contribution of the Church in India, stated Oswald Cardinal Gracias in Guwahati, dedicating the work to the nation. The publication of the third and final volume is something of which the Encyclopaedia team can be justly proud, but they should not rest on their oars but must continue their much needed work of service to the Church in India today, His Eminence went on to say. Telespore P. Cardinal Toppo dedicated the volumes to the world Christian community. The two Cardinals officially released the Encyclopaedia by exchanging copies of the work, in the presence of Archbishops and Bishops from all over India and members of the CBCI Commissions. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Prof. George Menachery the Editor of the Encyclopaedia, and Dr. George Plathottam the secretary of the CBCI Commission for Media also spoke on the occasion.
The Encyclopaedia comprises the contributions of hundreds of well-known scholars from all over India and abroad. There are articles on almost every aspect of Christianity in india, dealing with all chronological, denominational, and geographical divisions. The more than thousand illustrations on art plates, half of them on full colour art plates, in addition to the dozens of maps including a whole Christian and Linguistic atlas of India, and the graphs, tables, figures, and sketches go to make the work an exhaustive reference tool. Each major article is supported by bibliographies and inclusive end-notes, making the encyclopaedia an indispensible reference work for seminaries and teheological colleges. universities and colleges, and libraries of ecclesiastical establishments and headquarters and formation houses of religious congregations.
Justice V. R. Krishna Aiyer [former Supreme Court Judge and president,
History Assn.] on the 3rd Volume of the Encyclopaedia:
"The third volume of the book St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India is an extraordinary work with focus on Christianity but being Cyclopaedic has learned chapters on Hinduism and Islam. Truly it is a holistic work, an eclectic theological composite piece. The chapter on Hinduism illumines its ancient and geographical character and true source of its origin. Read on to learn the basic principles and you will learn that this Sanatana Dharma (moral values for all times)... Professor Menachery has done great service to all religions by weaving all of them into a new fabric in his epic voluminous trinity which if popularly read and discussed and read in libraries will surely be the beginning of Jesus and Sankara and Mohammed as the Founders of a New World Order of peace and stability of human rights and equality with a bias of equity. Gandhiji and Vivekananda did it in different ways. I deeply appreciate the wonderful work of Professor George Menachery. It is not narrowly Christian but broadly universal in thinking. Jesus was the greatest humanist revolutionary and died for a dynamic dialectical world order...
The Syro Malabar Major Archbishop and Cardinal His Eminence Mar Varkey Vithayathil presents the first ever Syro Malabar Church Award instituted through the Liturgical Research Centre for "Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion of Syro Malabar Heritage", to Chevalier Professor George Menachery, editor of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India and the Indian Church History Classics, at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, Ernakulam, Kochi on 1st Makaram - 14th Jan., 2010, in the presence of the 36 Bishops and Archbishops of that Church. Click to see Deepika report.
His Eminent Beatitude Mar Vakkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major ArchBishop and Head of the Syro Malabar Church, and President of the CBCI, who was admitted to the hospital Monday night following a heart condition has registered considerable improvement in his condition and has been tranferred from the Ventilator. However His Eminence is still under active medical observation at the Lissie Hospital, Ernakulam. Visitors are strictly prohibited. -SARAS NEWS
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil Critical
The condition of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church, who was admitted to the Lissie Hospital on Monday night after a cardiac arrest, continues to be critical.
He is on life support system after the doctors successfully carried out an angioplasty to remove a major block in the artery, said Fr. Paul Thelekkat, spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Church.
The Cardinal suffered the cardiac arrest on Monday night while he was at the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas Kakkanad. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. The condition of the Cardinal, who is 82-years-old, is reported to be stable,
Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Mar varkey Cardinal Vithayathil honours Prof. George Menachery with a bouquet on the latter's being selected for the first Liturgical Research Centre Award of the Syro Malabar Church. Present on the dais were Bishop Mar James Pazhayattil, Archbishop Mar Andrews thazhath, Bishop Mar Thomas Chakiath, and Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt
Vatican City, Sept. 19
At Castel Gandolfo, Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major Arch Bishop and Head of the Syro - Malabar Church, presents a copy of the third and final volume of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, the reference work on Christianity in India edited by Prof. George Menachery, along with the Alphonsa Coin to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
"Heads and Fathers" of all the Eastern Catholic Churches discuss future course of action with with Pope Benedict XVI
Vatican city, 19 Sept. 2009:
This morning in Castel Gandolfo Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil met the Holy Father along with other Catholic patriacrchs and major archbishops from the Oriental Churches.
Participating in the meeting were Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, alongside the "Heads and Fathers" of all the Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with the Bishop of Rome.
They are: His Beatitude Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, Patriarh of Antioch of the Maronites, Lebanon; Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Iraq; Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyc, Ukraine; Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil C.SS.R.; Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, India; His Beatitude Antonios Naguib, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts, Egypt; His Beatitude Gregorios III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites, Syria; His Beatitude Ignace Youssif III Younan, Patriarch of Antioch of the Syrians, Lebanon; His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX, Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, Lebanon, Archbishops Major of the Rumanian and Syro-Malankara Churches and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
The Pontiff had Lunch with the representatives of the Oriental Churches.
During the meeting the Head of the Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal Vithayathil presented the Holy Father with heritage articles of the Indian Church viz. the Alphona Coin and the third and final volume of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India edited by Prof. George Menachery.
May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself.
May I humbly request your Grace to go through the following and take appropriate action if thought fit.
In the circumstances obtaining among the NRK/NRI Syro-Malabar communities in many Indian and foreign cities the Nazranies hardly get any chance to get together or to maintain their identity. Hence one possibility is for them to celebrate the Ormapperunnal of our father St. Thomas the Apostle with at least a public procession inside the church campus or if possible outside it, with all the cultural elements of our Pradakhinams or church processions.
It could be any one of the four types of processions we have - 1.intra-church procession, 2.procession rounding the open-air cross (this won’t be possible in most cases outside Kerala), 3.procession around the church building or campus, or 4. procession along the streets or Angadies.
I have found how happy our people are to congregate on such occasions - whether in the Americas or Europe or the Middle East, especially in the US and the Gulf, and how proud our people are of our cultural traditions and individuality.. A Syro- Malabar Mass may be said where ( and only where) the local hierarch permits it. Otherwise it can be a well attended religio-cultural event to which there could be no objection from any quarter. Such a programme, I feel - and am convinced from experience in different parts of the world - could and will go a long way to unite our people and to hold them together in the memory of our heritage and roots. AND it could be a first step in many ways.
These Pradakhinams or processions must have as many of the following elements as possible: 1. A gold(en) processional cross with the red (or other) sheath. 2.Two silver(y) crosses with sheaths. 3.Many colourful parasols or umbrellas viz.Muthukkudas. 4. At least one processional Roopakkoodu to carry the image of St. Thomas &c. typically decorated. 5.Band sets and typical Kerala Vadyams and Melams including drummers. 6. Fancy fire-works where permissible. 7. Public and common preparation and distribution of Kozhalappam, Achappam, Unni Appam, Neyyappam, and other Syro-Malabar confectionaries.
May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself.
Thanking Your Grace,
Your Graces’ obedient servant,
Prof. George Menachery.
p.s.Establishing a Bahya Kerala - Bahya Bharata Diocese for agreeable areas at least must be another priority.
p.p.s. Could we think of a reserve team of priests willing to serve these communities from time to time on special occasions and to give them cultural experiences and guidance in the form of seminars, video fests, power-point talks &c. occasionally?
Prof. George Menachery elected General Secretary of CHAI (Church History Association of India)
SHILLONG, May 10
At the Church History Association of India (CHAI) Triennial General Body Meeting held at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) , Shillong, Prof. George Menachery was elected General Secretary of the Association for the next three years. He was working as national vice-president for the last three years.
Dr. O.L. Snaitang, Meghalaya (President), Rev. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmunds, Tamil Nadu (Vice- President), Dr. Agnes de’Sa, Maharashtra (Joint Secretary), S. Edathikavil, DVK, Karnataka (Treasurer), were also elected. Dr. Verghese Perayil (Aroor), Dr. George Oommen (Deradun) were the other members elected to the Board of Trustees, . Dr. A. M. Mundadan will continue as the Editor-in-Charge of the ongoing History of Christianity in India project while Dr. Joe Kalappura (Patna) was appointed editor of the CHAI Journal, Indian Church History Review (ICHR).
The 14th Triennial of the Southern India region will be held in Thrissur in October, 2009 while the 15th Triennial of the National Association and the Platinum Jubilee will be hosted by the Southern India Branch.
The Vice-Chancellor of the NEHU, Dr. Pramod Tandon inaugurated the meet, presided over by the President of CHAI, Dr. Kranthi Farias. The Key Note address was delivered by Dr. J. Kalappura, Secretary.
The NE regional president Dr. O. L. Snaitang, secretary and Registrar cum Controller of the NEHU Dr. David Syiemlieh were the main organisers of the meet at which more than 20 papers on the Theme of the Conference "Christianity and the Marginalised in India" were presented by scholars from every region of india.
The new office-bearers and members of the Board of Trustees of CHAI, the Church History Association of India elected at the Shillong Triennial. (From left to right):Dr. Varghese Perayil (Member of the BOT), Dr. Agnes de'Sa (Joint Secretary), Prof. George Menachery (General Secretary), Dr. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmonds (Vice - president), Dr. O. L. Snaitang (President), Fr. Sebastian Edathikkavil (Treasurer), Dr. George Oommen (Member BOT), and Dr. Jose Kalappura ( Editor, ICHR).
Some of the distinguished participants and delegates at the 14th Triennial of CHAI at Shillong.
A scholarly tome onChristianity in India
Staff Reporter
THRISSUR: The third volume of Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India (STCEI) which is scheduled to be published shortly, throw light on various subjects including Christianity in India, Hinduism, Christianity and Sankaracharya, Shaiva Siddhantha and Islam, says George Menachery, the editor of the encyclopaedia.
STCEI is considered an authoritative workfor reference on India in general and Christianity in particular, says Mr. Menachery.
It contains articles contributed by renowned archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, educational experts, lexicographers and biographers. The first volume of the encyclopaedia was published in April 1973 in connection with the 1900th death anniversary of Saint Thomas, the Apostle of India.
The first volume was about the origin, growth and development of Christianity in India.
The second volume was brought out in 1982. The Thomapedia, an enlarged millennium edition of the early volume, was also published in 2000. STCEI had been described by noted reviewers as monumental work containing significant information on India, Mr. Menachery says.
Thousands of its copies have been sold the world over and leading libraries have subscribed to it.
[The HINDU, 3 March 2009]
KCBC Darshanika Vyjnanika Award being presented to Prof. George Menachery by HE Mar Thomas Chakiath, Chairman of the KCBC Media Commission on 25th January at POC Auditoriam, Kochi, Ernakulam.
KCBC Awards 2008: Prof. George Menachery awarded the Darshanika Vyjnanika Award
Kochi: A. K. Puthussery has won the literary award instituted by the K.C. B. C. Media Commission. Prof. George Menachery has won the Mar Mankuzhikkari philosophical award. Fr. Geo Payyappilly and Elizabeth Raju won the media and young talent awards, respectively. [The Hindu].
Malayala Manorama and Deepika add: The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council's Media Awards 2008 have been announced.A. K. Pudussery bagged the Media Award for his contributions in the fields of the Novel and the Drama.Prof. Chev. George Menachery was selected for the Mar Mankuzhikkary Darshanika Vyjnanika Award. Fr. Geo Payyappilly obtained the Media Award while singer Elizabeth Raju was chosen for the Young Talent Award.
Rev. Dr. Jacob Kattakkal, O. V. Raphael, Prof. Thomas Kaniyanplavan, Varghese Kanjirathingal, and Abraham Pattani were selected for the Guru Pooja Awards.
A judging committee consisting of the Chairman of the KCBC Media Commission Dr.Mar Thomas Chakiath, Dr. George Irumpayam, Dr. Cherian Kuniyanthodath, Dr. Primus Perincherry, and K.C.B.C. Media Commission Secretary Fr. Joseph Nicholas decided the awards.
The awards will be bestowed at a function to be held at the POC auditorium, Ernakulam on the 25th of January, 2009.
Prof. George Menachery is the Chief Editor of a number of reference works including the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Indian Church History Classics (The Nazranies), the Thomapedia, and the works in progress Ayurveda Encyclopaedia of India, and the Encylopaedia of the Arabian Sea.
Noted historian, archaeologist, numismatist, and geographer Prof. Menachery was in the UAE and Oman for the past several months researching on his latest publications.
Prof. George Menachery Sapthathy Sangeetha Seminar and Conference
Prof. G. Menachery Sapthathi Sangeetha (Musical) Seminar being inaugurated by Prof. George S. Paul the well known art critic and writer at the Kerala Sahitya Academy Campus. Seated from left to right are: M. D. Madhavan Namboodiri (Ch. Editor, Sangeetham, Kozhikode) [who gave a Chitra-Swara presentation of Kumaran Asan'n Veena Poovu in which Sri Namboodiri accompanied forty Veena Poovu paintings of Francis Kodankandath with his musical recital of the entire classicaql poem]: reputed educationist and cultural leader Sri Chitran Nampoodiripad (who presided); Dr. Mar Aprem Metropolitan of the Church of the East (who delivered the Key Note Address); Dr. Paul Poovathingal (who gave a classical concert and spoke on Voco-System in Classical Music); Prof. Balakrishnan (former principal of the Sree Kerala varma College and reputed vocalist who gave the Invocation Song; Prof. A. M. Francis the Principal of the St. Thomas' College (who welcomed the audience); and Prof. V.P.Jones the working Chairman of the Prof. Menachery Sapthathi Samithi who was also the M. C. on this occasion. Picture TWO: Artist Punachitaya gives a demonstration in connection with the Sapthathi Historico-Cultural EXPO on another day. months back he had inaugurated the Menachery Sapthathy Painters' Workshop attended by 40 odd artists from all over South India at the St. Thomas' College and the Archdiocesan Family Apostolate Complex presided over by Sri Madanan, Ch. artist at the Mathrubhoomi, Calicut.. Pic. THREE: Live Sapthathy demonstration by Artist Francis Kodenkandath in the Academy Complex: He painted a Jubilee Commemoration Montage in 55 minutes in which he represented M. T. Vasudevan Nair's Naalukettu, Vykkom Muhammed Basheer's Bhargavee Nilayam, and Kumaran Asan's Veena Poovu to commemorate the Jubilee Celebrations connected with these great sons of Kerala and pioneers in Malayalam Literature. The demo was followed by a two-hour discussion in which some of the leading artists and literary critics of Kerala participated.
Prof. G. Menachery Sapthati Historico-Cultural EXPO 2008
Bestowing "Ponnada" on Prof. George Menachery by Sri Therambil Ramakrishnan M.L.A. and former Speaker of the Kerala Assembly during the inauguration of the Sapthathi Historico-Cultural Expo 2008 at the Kerala Sahitya Academy Complex. Sri M. V. Devan inaugurated the Expo at a function presided over by Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Kala Mandalam Dr. K. G. Paulose. Dr. Raphael Thattil, V. G., Archdiocese of Trichur felicitated. Two Professors from the Krakov University of Poland are also seen discussing aspects of Kerala Culture with Prof. Menachery
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only)
for
the
Paper
Back
Edition
and
for
the
Hard
Bound
Library
Edition
send
US$
60.00(Sixty
only)
to
The
Thomapedia,
Ollur
680306
India.
Free
Regd.
Airmail
Delivery
[For YOUR
EYES ONLY is
a new LOL
Series which
would carry
interesting
pictures and
illustrations
which throw
some useful
light on St.
Thomas
Christian
history,
culture,
customs,
manners
representing
every church
and
denominations
of Syrian
Christians.
Prof. George
Menachery
who is a
renowned
scholar with
vast
research
experience
in Thomas
Christian
traditions
and history
organizes
this
Series.]
Ollur Church photo taken in 1904 - presented to Prof. G. Menachery by Henry C. Q. Brownrigg of the British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia in October 2004. Note the three-tier roofing style and the gabled original copper roof of the bell-tower
Malabar Christians of Ancient Days (from an old painting). Photo published in the Cochin Government Royal War Efforts Souvenir in 1938.
Ollur Church, inside view. Note the altat, altarpiece, hanging lamps, globes, railings, floor tiles etc. Photo published in the Cochin Government Royal War Efforts Souvenir in 1938.
Ollur Church photo published in the Cochin
Government Royal War Efforts Souvenir
in 1938 - it is almost identical with the
previous picture with slight changes in
the coconut leaves - may be this was
taken at the same time as the 1904 picture.
View from the left side of the Ollur Church.
Photo taken in 1904 - presented to Prof.
G. Menachery by Henry C. Q. Brownrigg
of the British Association for Cemeteries
in South Asia in October 2004
MALABAR
CHRISTIANS
OF
ANCIENT
DAYS
By
PROF.
GEORGE
MENACHERY
[For
YOUR
EYES
ONLY
is a
recently
started
LOL
Series
which
would
carry
interesting
pictures
and
illustrations
which
throw
some
useful
light
on
St.
Thomas
Christian
history,
culture,
customs,
manners
representing
every
church
and
denominations
of
Syrian
Christians.
Prof.
George
Menachery
who
is a
renowned
scholar
with
vast
research
experience
in
Thomas
Christian
traditions
and
history
organizes
this
Series.]
The
very
costumes
and
ornaments
of
the
Thomas
Christians
indicate
- at
least
used
to
indicate
until
very
recent
times
-
their
deep
Spirituality
and
commitment
to
the
Gospel
message.
What
the
Bible
speaks
of
the
deportment
of
women
is
fully
satisfied
in
the
dress
of
Syrian
Christian
women
of
Kerala;
it
is a
costume
where
beauty
meets
modesty.
Allow
me
to
quote
(the
late)
Mrs.
K.
M.
Matthew
from
the
1973
St.
Thomas
Christian
Encyclopedia:
"The
costumes
they
wear
are
worthy
of
special
note
which
in
many
ways
resemble
those
of
the
high
caste
Hindu
women.
A
white
cloth-length
51/2
yards
by
12/2
yards
[Mundu}
is
folded
into
a
Pudava
which
is
again
folded
into
fan
like
pleats.
This
fan
like
arrangement,
which
is
highly
artistic
completely,
covers
the
back
portion
of
the
woman
when
she
wears
the
cloth.
...
The
upper
portion
of
the
body
including
the
belly
and
the
arm
is
completely
covered
with
the
loose
blouse-like
Kuppayam
or
Chatta.
Going
to
the
church
they
cover
themselves
from
head
to
foot
with
a
nice
white
cloth,
when
only
the
face
will
be
visible.
This
dress
is
fully
in
keeping
with
the
modesty
and
nobility
of
the
Syrian
Christian
women.
Naturally
this
dress
is
not
meant
to
kill,
the
whiteness
representing
purity
and
chastity."
Again
this
is
what
Dr.
J.
Kolengadan
has
to
say
in
the
same
Encyclopedia:
"...the
fan
like
appendage
behind
render
their
dress
highly
modest
as
well
as
artistically
elegant...As
they
went
out
to
church
they
had
a
veil
like
outer
garment,
with
gold
brocade,
reaching
to
the
ground
showing
nothing
but
the
face..."
The
costume
of
the
Syrian
Christian
women
of
Kerala
does
what
the
Purdah
does
but
without
its
ugliness,
unhealthy
anonymity
and
abuses.
Unfortunately
today
one
has
to
watch
the
obituary
columns
of
Malayalam
newspapers
to
come
across
this
unique
costume
-
cry,
the
beloved
country.
D.
Ferroli
has
this
on
the
costumes
of
the
Syrian
Christians:
"
The
mundu
[of
men]
is
fastened
round
the
waist
and
reaches
down
to
the
heels.
A
towel
is
thrown
over
the
shoulders...".
"Except
those
who
kept
celibacy
and
those
who
had
gone
on a
pilgrimage
to
the
tomb
of
St.
Thomas
at
Mylapore,
all
kept
long
hairs
tied
up
in a
bundle..."(Placid,
Thomapedia,
p.107>f,g.)
[Author
Prof.
George
Menachery
is a
freelance
Indian
Journalist
and
Editor
of
the
St.
Thomas
Christian
Encyclopedia
of
India
and
the
Indian
Church
History
Classics.
After
teaching
university
classes
for
thirty
years,
he
gave
up
the
job
as
Head
of
the
Department
of
Post-Graduate
Teaching
in
order
to
concentrate
on
research
and
publication.
SARAS
(South
Asia
Research
Assistance
Services)
provides
information
and
research
assistance
for
topics
dealing
with
India
in
particular
and
South
Asia
in
general.
He
has
to
his
credit
a
large
number
of
publications,
research
papers,
articles,
radio
talks
and
TV
programmes.
His
research
activities
and
lectures
have
taken
him
to
more
than
20
countries
in 4
continents.]
THE
ROCK
CROSSES
OF
KERALA
CHURCHES
By
PROF.
GEORGE
MENACHERY
[For
YOUR
EYES
ONLY
is a
new
LOL
Series
which
would
carry
interesting
pictures
and
illustrations
which
throw
some
useful
light
on
St.
Thomas
Christian
history,
culture,
customs,
manners
representing
every
church
and
denominations
of
Syrian
Christians.
Prof.
George
Menachery
who
is a
renowned
scholar
with
vast
research
experience
in
Thomas
Christian
traditions
and
history
organizes
this
Series.]
This
is
the
pedestal
of
the
stone
cross
in
granite
[rock]
in
front
of
the
Ollur
Church
which
is
the
oldest
church
in
the
Thrissur
Corporation
area.
But
the
Ollur
Church
is
less
than
300
years
old
whereas
there
are
more
than
a
hundred
churches
which
are
400
years
or
more
old
in
Kerala.
And
there
are
dozens
of
exquisitely
carved
open
air
rock
crosses
or
Nazraney
Sthambams
in
front
of
many
of
these
ancient
Kerala
Christian
places
of
worship,
e.g.
at
Kottekkad,
Enammavu
[now
in
the
Trichur
Archieparcal
Residence,
where
it
was
shifted
from
the
Lourdes
Cathedral
Christian
Cultural
Museum
that
was
estd.
in
1980
-
discovered
by
this
writer
in
1980
at
Enammavu
from
a
mud
deposit]
Mapranam,
Puthenchira,
Parappukkara,
Veliyanad,
Kalpparambu
[the
last
discovered
by
this
writer
in
the
mud
deposits]
Koratty,
Angamaly
[one
each
in
front
of
the
three
churches
-
the
Western
church
cross,
27ft.
tall-
has
been
exactly
reproduced
in
front
of
the
Kakkanad
Mount
St.
Thomas
St.
Thomas
Christian
Museum],
Kanjoor,
Malayattoor,
Udayanperur,
Kuravilangad,Uzhavoor,Chungam,Kaduthuruthy
[2
Nos.],
Muttuchira,
Kudamaloor,
Niranam,
Kothamangalam,
Chengannur,
Thumpamon,
Chathannur,
Changanacherry
[the
base
of
the
second
cross
was
discovered
by
this
writer
in
the
Changanacherry
cemetery],
and
many
other
places.
These
crosses
have
four
members:
the
base
with
a
socket
often
fixed
on a
huge
pedestal
(see
pic),
the
huge
monolithic
shaft
with
cylinder-like
projections
at
both
ends,
the
arm
with
sockets
above
and
below,
and
the
capital
which
forms
the
fourth
arm
of
the
cross
with
a
cylinder
arrangement
at
the
bottom.
All
these
crosses
rise
from
the
lotus
carved
at
the
top
of
the
base
member
termed
the
Pookkallu.
Many
of
these
crosses
have
exquisite
carvings
and
sculptures
esp.
on
the
four
sides
of
the
pedestal,
and
in
rare
cases
on
the
shaft
as
the
Adam,
Eve,
and
the
Serpent
on
the
Chengannur
Obelisk
Cross.
Like
the
Egyptian
Obelisks
the
cross
is a
ray
of
the
sun
-
Horus
or
Christ.
[Author
Prof. George
Menachery is
a freelance
Indian
Journalist
and Editor
of the St.
Thomas
Christian
Encyclopedia
of India and
the Indian
Church
History
Classics.
After
teaching
university
classes for
thirty
years, he
gave up the
job as Head
of the
Department
of
Post-Graduate
Teaching in
order to
concentrate
on research
and
publication.
SARAS (South
Asia
Research
Assistance
Services)
provides
information
and research
assistance
for topics
dealing with
India in
particular
and South
Asia in
general. He
has to his
credit a
large number
of
publications,
research
papers,
articles,
radio talks
and TV
programmes.
His research
activities
and lectures
have taken
him to more
than 20
countries in
4
continents.]
Our services
include
providing
research
assistance
and
instruction
via the web,
e-mail, fax,
telephone,
mail, and,
when
possible, in
person on
topics
connected
with India's
culture and
religions
(esp.Indian
Christianity).
Xerox of
portions of
books and
manuscripts
and copies
of
photographs
both in our
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and from
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sources are
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www.indianchristianity.com
“And now I
have a very
joyous piece
of news for
you,” Pope
Benedict XVI
said in
Italian
before
making the
announcement
in Latin.
The Pope
read out a
letter from
Cardinal
Jose Saraiva
Martins, the
official in
charge of
sainthood,
in which it
said that
Benedict XVI
himself had
authorised
the start of
the
beatification
process.
The news was
met with a
standing
ovation from
the priests
attending
the meeting.
It comes on
the
anniversary
of an
assassination
attempt on
John Paul II
in 1981,
when he was
shot in St
Peter’s
Square by a
Turkish
gunman.
Life
examined
Information
will now be
gathered on
the former
pope’s life
and
teachings,
including
all private
writings
from the
period
before he
became pope,
and checked
for
orthodoxy to
ensure that
he expressed
no heretical
views.
Pope John
Paul II
abandoned
the
five-year
rule when he
beatified
Mother
Teresa
A commission
of
historians
will be
appointed to
gather all
of the
documents
together,
which will
then be
examined by
panels of
theologians,
and
cardinals
and bishops.
If a
two-thirds
majority
agree with
John Paul
II’s
beatification
Pope
Benedict XVI
will then be
called upon
to give his
own
approval.
But Vatican
expert
Michael
Walsh told
the BBC that
for the
process to
be complete
the Vatican
authorities
will then
have to
establish
that a
miracle has
been
ascribed to
Pope John
Paul II.
“They have
to prove
someone has
been
miraculously
healed... by
his
intercession,
by praying
to John Paul
II, he or
she has
recovered
from cancer
or something
of that
sort,” he
said.
Miracle
needed
In the days
following
his death
Italian
media
carried a
number of
reports of
alleged
miracles
attributed
to Pope John
Paul II,
including
one claim
that an
American man
suffering
from a brain
tumour was
cured after
receiving
communion
from the
late
pontiff.
But the
alleged
miracles
occurred
during the
Pope’s
lifetime,
and the
beatification
process
studies
those
occurring
after the
candidate’s
death.
Beatification
allows
public
veneration
of the
person and
for the
person to be
known as
“Blessed”.
For actual
sainthood,
proof of at
least two
miracles is
required.
Beatification
allows
public
veneration
of the
blessed
person
In normal
circumstances
five years
must pass
between the
death of the
person
proposed for
beatification
and the
start of the
procedure,
to avoid
emotion
playing a
part.
However,
John Paul II
dispensed
with this
rule himself
when in 2003
he beatified
Mother
Teresa of
Calcutta.
The entire
process was
completed
just six
years after
her death.
On Friday
Pope
Benedict XVI
also
announced
who would
succeed him
as head of
the
Congregation
for the
Doctrine of
the Faith.
Sixty-eight-year-old
William
Levada,
Archbishop
of San
Francisco,
is the first
American to
hold the
post as the
Vatican’s
chief
watchdog of
orthodoxy.
Your current
membership
of the
CHURCH
HISTORY
ASSOCIATION
OF INDIA
CHAI has
expired at
the end of
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Kindly renew
it by
remitting
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$/
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OF INDIA.
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Conference
Theme :
Indian
Historical
and Cultural
Studies
-Yesterday,
Today,
Tomorrow
A. The
Jubilee
Celebrations
include the
following
academic
programmes:
1. The CHAI
is pleased
to invite
Scholarly
Papers
related to
the above
theme from
CHAI members
and other
scholars
2. An Essay
Competition
on the
theme,
"Preservation
of Christian
Monuments
and
Landmarks in
India" is
being
planned for
three
categories
ofparticipants:
a)
Seminarians,
b) Graduate
and Post
Graduate
University
/College
Students, c)
the General
Public.
3. A Panel
Discussion
by selected
scholars
during the
Jubilee
Celebrations(theme
to be
announced
shortly).
4. A
Platinum
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Commemoration
Volume on
India's
Christian
Heritage
5. A
Christian
Historic-Cultural
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on the theme
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Heritage of
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West, North,
East, and
North-East
to be held
at the
venue.
Details of
all the
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will be
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the December
2010
to the ICHR,
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issues and
the purchase
of back
issues
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Articles are
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The CHURCH
HISTORYASSOCIATION
OF INDIA
Board of
Trustees and
Regional
Branch
Office-bearers,
Since May 7,
2009
President:
Dr. Oberland
L. Snaitang,
Kench's
Trace, Opp.
Assamese
Girls
Secondary
Ancient
Christian
site in UAE
opens to
visitors
Dec 12,
2010,Courtesy
AFP
A
general
view
of
the
United
Arab
Emirates'
only
discovered
Christian
monastery
on
November
29,
2009,
in
Sir
Bani
Yas
Island,
Abu
Dhabi.
Photograph:
MARTIN
PFEIFER/
TDIC/AFP
By
AFP
DUBAI
- A
1,400-year-old
monastery
that
is
the
only
known
pre-Islamic
Christian
site
in
the
United
Arab
Emirates
has
opened
to
visitors,
The
National
newspaper
reported
on
Sunday.
The
monastery
on
Sir
Bani
Yas
island
in
Abu
Dhabi
emirate
is
"believed
to
be
the
only
permanent
settlement
ever
established
on
the
island"
and
"the
only
pre-Islamic
Christian
site
known
in
the
UAE,"
it
said.
It is
believed to
have been
built around
600 AD by a
community of
30-40 monks
and was
discovered
in 1992,
said the Abu
Dhabi
Tourism and
Development
Company
which is
developing
the island.
Dr Joseph
Elders, the
chief
archaeologist
for the
Church of
England, is
leading the
team
excavating
the site,
the company
said in a
statement.
"Twenty
years ago,
we had no
idea that
Christians
came this
far south
and east" in
the Gulf
region, The
National
quoted
Elders as
saying. "We
don't have
many
monasteries
from this
period."
The people
who lived at
the
monastery
probably
belonged to
the
"Nestorian
Church, or
Church of
the East,"
it said,
adding that
the
settlement
was
abandoned
after about
750 AD.
It opened to
the public
on Saturday.
As it
happened:
Pope in
Britain: 19
September
2010
• The fourth
day of Pope
Benedict
XVI's visit
to the UK
saw him lead
a
beatification
service for
19th Century
theologian
Cardinal
Newman at
Cofton Park
in
Birmingham
• He also
visited the
Catholic
Seminary of
Oscott,
which trains
future
priests, and
held a
meeting with
the Bishops
of England,
Scotland and
Wales
• Prime
Minister
David
Cameron
thanked the
Pope for
making the
country "sit
up and
think", and
vowed to
increase
co-operation
between the
UK and the
Vatican on
issues like
poverty and
climate
change
BBC Well,
that's a
wrap. Thank
you for
joining us
for our live
coverage of
the Pope's
visit and
for all your
contributions.
We hope
you've
enjoyed our
efforts and
will join us
again for
some more
live
commentary
soon.
Ruth
Gledhill,
religion
correspondent
for the
Times
newspaper,
says that
where
protests
occurred
they were
conducted
with
"dignity and
decorum".
She says she
was told
ahead of the
visit that
police were
on "hair
trigger"
alert
because of
previous
assassination
attempts on
the Pope's
life, and if
there had
been any
attempt to
make an
citizen's
arrest of
the pontiff,
as some had
suggested,
officers
would have
had to
decide in a
split second
whether to
use their
weapons.
Chief
Constable
Meredydd
Hughes,
policing
co-ordinator
for the
papal visit,
tells the
BBC it's
been
challenging,
but
"enjoyable".
He says
colleagues
at the
Vatican have
been
"amazed" at
the British
ability -
"spirit of
fair play",
he calls it
- to allow
both
well-wishers
and
protesters
to gather in
the same
area and
make their
views known
without any
problems.
Leo Goatley,
from
Gloucester,
writes:
"Perhaps
surprisingly,
the Pope
omitted to
place family
at the
centre of
his
preaching,
which should
be pivotal
to the
teaching of
the Church.
As a lapsed
Catholic
married to a
devout
member of
the Church,
I found the
plea for
dialogue
between
faith and
reason
curious as
the idea of
a belief in
a God is, to
me, far less
challenging
than a faith
required to
accept the
full creed
of
Christianity
or any other
religion for
that
matter."
If you
missed the
events in
Birmingham
earlier
today, the
BBC's Sitala
Peek was
there and
has written
about her
experiences.
Adrian
Winchester
writes: "I
had my
doubts about
how
successful
this visit
would be but
I'm now
sorry to see
the Pope go.
He has
addressed
some
important
issues that
go to the
heart of the
sort of
society we
want."
Lord Patten,
the
government's
papal visit
co-ordinator,
says the
cost to the
taxpayer is
"pretty
low", about
£10m. "I
think it's
been an
investment
in a very
important
relationship,"
he tells the
BBC. "A
relationship
with an
organisation
which is the
second
largest
development
organisation
in the
world, and a
relationship
with a faith
which
provides
30,000
different
examples of
social care
in this
country."
Archbishop
Vincent
Nichols,
head of the
Catholic
Church in
England and
Wales, tells
the BBC the
visit has
gone better
than he
could have
expected.
Contrary to
the image
often
painted of
him, he says
the Pope
came across
as he truly
is - "as a
gentle,
sensitive,
eloquent and
really
lovely
person".
"It's out of
that
loveliness
that he
brings the
message that
he did," the
Archbishop
adds.
John Nixon
in York
writes: "The
Pope has
penetrated
the
superficiality
and
shallowness
of many
aspects of
life today.
He speaks in
a calm and
eloquent
manner
without an
emphasis on
him
personally
or his
performance.
This has
stood out in
contrast to
the spin and
gloss we see
from many of
our
political
and
religious
leaders."
Spoke too
soon. The
Pope
squeezed in
one more
wave, from
the window
of the plane
as it taxied
away for
take-off.
It's bound
for Rome's
Ciampino
airport
where it's
due to land
at about
2230 local
time.
One last
wave from
the top of
the steps
and that's
it. The Pope
steps inside
the plane -
known in
some
quarters as
Shepherd One
- which is
flying both
the union
jack and the
papal
standard.
After a
final shake
of the hand
and a few
private
words with
the prime
minister,
Pope
Benedict
walks the
red carpet
for the last
time and
says goodbye
to a number
of his
bishops.
The Pope
says he will
"treasure
the time"
spent with
members of
his Church
while in the
UK. He once
again
mentions
Cardinal
Newman and
the lessons
he feels we
can all
learn from
him.
The Pope now
takes
centre-stage
and thanks
all those
who have
helped to
organise his
visit. He
says the
diversity of
modern
Britain is a
challenge to
the
government,
but also
offers an
opportunity
for greater
inter-faith
and
inter-cultural
dialogue.
The PM
concludes by
saying the
government
and the
Vatican have
agreed to
increase
their
co-operation
"on the key
international
issues where
we share a
common
goal",
including
tackling
climate
change,
fighting
poverty and
disease, and
working for
peace around
the world.
David
Cameron says
Britain is
characterised
by a deep,
but quiet
compassion,
and he has
felt it
personally
in recent
days "as I
have cradled
a new
daughter and
said goodbye
to a
wonderful
father".
"Faith is
part of the
fabric of
our
country,"
the prime
minister
continues.
But he adds:
"People do
not have to
share a
religious
faith or
agree with
religion on
everything
to see the
benefit of
asking the
searching
questions
that you,
your
Holiness,
have posed
to us about
our society
and how we
treat
ourselves
and each
other."
"You have
spoken to a
nation of
six million
Catholics,
but you have
been heard
by a nation
of more than
60 million
citizens,"
David
Cameron
says. "For
you have
offered a
message not
just to the
Catholic
Church, but
to each and
every one of
us, of every
faith and
none. A
challenge to
us all to
follow our
conscience,
to ask not
what are my
entitlements,
but what are
my
responsibilities?
To ask not
what we can
do for
ourselves,
but what we
can do for
others?"
The Pope has
now arrived
on the
airport
tarmac. He
emerges from
his car,
surrounding
by his
ever-present
be-suited
security
guards, and
takes David
Cameron by
the hand.
After a few
private
words they
take to the
podium.
David
Cameron has
arrived at
Birmingham
airport.
He's
standing on
the red
carpet in
front of the
podium,
complete
with two
gold-trimmed
chairs, from
which he and
the Pope
will speak.
The BBC's
Robert
Pigott says
that while
the visit
has been a
success and
the turnout
pretty good,
most people
have come
out to see A
Pope, not
The Pope,
because
Benedict
does not
embody the
Catholic
Church as
his
predecessor
John Paul
did.
Sarah in
Birmingham
writes: "I'm
not
Catholic,
but I have
really
enjoyed the
Pope's visit
to the UK
this week.
He has come
across as a
lovely man,
he has
spoken
wisely and
in a way
anyone could
listen and
understand,
and the
crowds
seemed to
have
responded to
this at the
events he
has been
too. He has
looked happy
to be here
and I hope
he enjoyed
his visit."
RCYouthWorker
tweets about
the Pope's
speech to
the bishops:
"Nothing in
the speech
that is a
telling off
but plenty
that will be
spun as
such. Just
wait and
see."
The Pope
leaves St
Mary's on
his way to
Birmingham
International
airport.
More photo
opportunities.
Inside the
chapel, the
Pope poses
for a
picture with
the heads of
the Church
in Scotland
and England
and Wales
and the
assembled
cardinals
and bishops.
Outside, in
St Mary's
College
garden, it's
the turn of
the West
Midlands
Police
officers who
have guarded
him today.
Then it's on
to a group
photo with
the
seminarians,
who go on to
give him a
rousing
send-off.
BBC
religious
affairs
correspondent
Robert
Pigott says
the
invitation
to Anglicans
is a "very
sensitive
subject" and
the Pope's
first public
reference to
it on this
visit was
surprising.
In his
closing
address the
Pope defends
the
Vatican's
offer to
welcome
disenchanted
Anglicans
into the
Catholic
fold. He
says the
move, which
allows
Anglicans to
retain
elements of
their
heritage,
could help
contribute
"positively"
to relations
between the
two
churches.
Pope
Benedict
says the
abuse
scandal
"seriously
undermines
the moral
credibility"
of the
Church but
suggested
the lessons
could be
shared for
the benefit
of wider
society.
The head of
the Catholic
Church in
England and
Wales,
Archbishop
of
Westminster
Vincent
Nichols,
says the
visit will
"long remain
in our
hearts".
"Already in
Scotland we
are speaking
of the
Benedict
bounce",
says
Cardinal
O'Brien, as
he refers to
the four
"wonderful
days" of the
visit.
Cardinal
Keith
O'Brien,
head of the
Catholic
Church in
Scotland,
thanks the
Pope for
graciously
wearing a
special
tartan
during his
time in
Edinburgh on
Thursday. He
says he's
pleased the
pontiff was
"proud to be
an honorary
Scotsman for
a day".
Cardinal
O'Brien says
the welcome
the Pope
received in
Scotland
reminded the
world of the
country's
ancient
Christian
roots.
The meeting
between the
Pope and the
bishops of
England,
Scotland and
Wales has
now wrapped
up and we're
expecting to
hear a few
words from
some of
those who
were
involved.
LicklePickle,
in
Birmingham,
tweets: "The
Pope was
running
late, so
instead of
the
Popemobile
going
walking
pace, it
rushed past
about 15mph!
Sooo
disappointing!"
Archbishop
of
Birmingham
Bernard
Longley says
he is
delighted
with how
smoothly
today's
events have
gone and how
warm the
welcome has
been. "The
city has
shown its
concern for
people of
faith," he
told the
BBC.
Father
Christopher
Jamison, a
Benedictine
monk who
appeared in
the BBC
series The
Monastery,
has given
his take on
turnout. "I
think it is
the
spontaneity
of those
200,000
people in
London that
will really
surprise the
Vatican
because
they'd been
led to
believe that
while the
Catholic
faithful
would
welcome the
Holy Father,
there would
be a great
upsurge in
scepticism
and doubt
among
ordinary
British
people."
Nick Clegg
has been
asked about
the Pope's
visit at the
Lib Dem
conference
in
Liverpool.
"I think the
differences
that people
might have
with the
doctrine of
the Catholic
Church speak
for
themselves,"
he said.
"But, I have
to say that
I also
believe we
are, above
and beyond
everything
else, a
liberal and
tolerant
nation, and
that whilst
debate,
criticism,
analysis of
the
teachings of
the Catholic
Church is, I
think,
necessary, I
think as a
community,
as a nation
and
certainly as
a government
we have an
absolute
duty to
welcome what
is the
leader of a
very, very
significant
world
religion."
Something
else a bit
special for
you from our
team in
Birmingham -
it's a
gigapan
image of the
beatification
service. You
can use the
controls to
scroll
around and
to zoom in
to see
specific
details up
close.
Vatican
stores
computer
chip fitted
books in
bombproof
bunkerr
The Vatican
Library is
all set to
reopen after
a three year
long
renovation
that saw
computer
chips being
fitted in
its 70,000
books dating
back nearly
2,000 years
and then
stored in a
bombproof
bunker.
Daily
Telegraph on
Tuesday
reported
that all the
library's
70,000
books, which
are kept in
a bombproof
bunker, have
been fitted
with a
computer
chip that
emits radio
signals so
as to
prevent
theft.
Fireproof
walls,
closed-circuit
cameras,
automated
entry and
exit gates
and
climate-controlled
rooms were
also
introduced
during the
renovation.
The library
houses the
world's
oldest known
complete
Bible,
dating from
around 325
and believed
to have been
commissioned
by Emperor
Constantine.
While 5,000
scholars are
allowed to
undertake
research
each year,
but it is
only the
Pope who is
allowed to
take a book
out of the
library.
The library
reading and
research
rooms will
reopen Sep
20. The
massive
renovation
effort,
which cost
about
7.5
million
pounds,
was sparked
by an
attempted
theft by an
American art
history
professor
who smuggled
pages torn
from a 14th
century
manuscript.
In 1996, the
professor
was
sentenced to
14 months in
prison after
he admitted
that he took
the pages
during a
1987
research
visit.
The chips
will also
ensure that
each
document is
kept back in
its proper
place in the
huge
repository
below the
Vatican.
"In this
kind of
library, if
a book is
misplaced,
it is as
good as
lost. "But
with this
new radio
frequency
system of
identification,
it will be
much easier
to locate a
lost book
and return
it to its
rightful
place,"
Ambrogio
Piazzoni,
the
library's
vice-prefect,
was quoted
as saying.
The books
and
manuscripts
were the
product of
the
"thought,
passion and
faith" of
centuries of
religious
scholarship,
he said,
adding:
"It's not
just the
heritage of
the Vatican
Library but
of the whole
of
humanity."
The library
was started
by Pope
Nicholas V
in the
1450s.
ST. EPHREM
ECUMENICAL
RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
(SEERI)
Research &
Regional
Centre of
Mahatma
Gandhi
University
7th
WORLD SYRIAC
CONFERENCE
&
SILVER
JUBILEE
CELEBRATIONS
OF SEERI
8 - 16
September
2010
ܒܫܢܬ ܕܥܣܪܝܢ
ܘܚܡܫ ܢܘܕܐ
ܐܝܣܚܩ ܠܒܪܐ
ܕܚܣܟܗ ܒܛܘܪܐ
ܡܢ ܣܟܝܢܐ
ܘܗܘܐ ܚܠܦܘܗܝ
ܐܡܪ ܩܛܠܐ ܦܠܛ
ܡܝܘܬܐ
ܘܡܝܬ ܡܚܐ ܟܠ
ܒܪܝܟ ܩܘܪܒܢܗ
In the 25th
year let
Isaac give
thanks
to the Son
who
preserved
him on the
mountain
from the
knife and
became, in
his place,
the lamb
that was
slaughtered:
the mortal
escaped,
while there
died He who
gives life
to all!
Blessed is
His
offering!
(St Ephrem,
Hymns on the
Nativity
18:30)
PROGRAMME
INAUGURAL
CELEBRATION
Wednesday, 8th
September
2010 at
14.30
To’ ba-šlom:
Rev. Fr. M.P
George
and
Group
(Orthodox
Theological
Seminary)
Prayer Song:
M A
Syriac
Students
(SEERI)
Welcome:
H.G.
Thomas Mar
Koorilos
(Metropolitan
Archbishop,
Tiruvalla
and
President,
SEERI)
H.G. Mar
Mathew
Moolakkatt,
Archbishop
of Kottayam.
H.G. Gabriel
Mar
Gregorios,
Metropolitan
Malankara
Orthodox
Syrian
Church.
H.G.Kuriakose
Mar Ivanios,
Knanaya
Malankara
Syrian
Orthodox
Church.
Rt. Rev. Dr.
John R. K.
Fenwick,
Bishop, Free
Church,
England.
Vote of
Thanks:
H.G.
Mar Aprem,
Metropolitan,
Church of
the East,
Thrissur.
Benediction:
Special
Programme: A
thirteenth
century
Chinese
source on a
certain
Syrian
Christian
Ruler
in
Kollam/Quilon,
India
*******
Thursday - 9th
September
2010
06.30 –
07.30: Holy
Qurbana
Celebrant:
H.G. Mar
Aprem
(Metropolitan,
Church of
the East,
Trichur)
Registration:
08.00- 08.45
Session-I
Moderator:
Rt. Rev.
Dr.
John Robert
Kipling
Fenwick
(Free
Church of
England)
08.50 –08.55
Prayer Song
(Sisters,
Udhanashram,
Idukki)
08.55–09.30
Alison Grace
Salvesen:
Jacob of
Sarug’s
memre on the
book of
Daniel.
09.30–10.00
Colette
Pasquet:
Oriental
Syriac
Commentaires
on Gen 1.26
and
Incarnation’s
Mystery.
10.00–10.30
Buda
Lorenzo:
Mar Aprem:
Martyr and
Singer of
the Word.
Session-II
Moderator:
Prof. Dr.
Dr. Hubert
Kaufhold
(Jura,
Univ.
München,
Germany)
11.00–11.30
Christophe
Vielle:
Johann Ernst
Hanxleden
S.J.
(1681-1732)
and St.
Thomas
Christians:
from
Malayalam
poetry to
Syriac
liturgy and
philology.
11.30–12.00
Paul
Blaize
Kadicheeni:
Baptismal
liturgy in
the writings
of Timothy
II.
12.00–12.30
Johnny
Messo:
The Syriac
Universal
Alliance,
the
endangered
Syriac
Cultural
Heritage and
the
envisaged
role of
scholars.
12.30–12.40
Noon Prayer(Church
of the East
– Archdeacon
Emmanuel
Yokhanna)
Session III
Moderator: Rev.
Dr. John
Kochuthundiyil
(Rector,
St. Mary’s
Malankara
Major
Seminary,
Trivandrum)
14.00–14.30
Istvan
Perczel:
New sources
for the
history of
the Chaldean
Syrian
community in
India.
14.30–15.00
Toda
Satoshi:
Reconsidering
the
Intellectual
Background
of
Bardaisan.
15.00–15.30
Emmanuel
Thelly:
Prayers of
the Feast of
Denha
in the
Syro-Chaldean
Breviary.
Session IV
Moderator:
Dr. F.B.
Chatonnet
(CNRS
IVRI Paris,
France)
16.00–16.30
Robert
Hawley:
Plants of
Indian
origin in
the
Syriac
Pharmacopeia.
16.30–17.00
Joseph
Palackal:
Kerala, the
Cradle of
Christianity
in South
Asia: The
Cultural
Interface of
Music and
Religion.
(After
supper:
Discussion
for setting
up the
syllabus for
the proposed
theological
college of
the Church
of the East,
Sydney as
requested by
Mar Meelis
Zaia,
Archbishop
of
Australia)
Friday - 10th
September
2010
06.30 –
07.30 Holy
Qurbana
Celebrant:
H.E. Mar
Joseph
Kallarangattu
(Syro
Malabar,
Bishop of
Pala)
Session V
Moderator:
H.G.
Dr. Mar
Aprem
(Metropolitan,
Church of
the East,
Trichur)
08.50–08.55
Prayer Song
(Students
of SEERI,
East Syriac).
08.55–09.30
John R K
Fenwick:
Some
Neglected
Sources for
the History
of the St.
Thomas
Christians.
09.30–10.00
Hubert
Kaufhold:Die
Reise des
Syrisch-Orthodoxen
Patriarchen
Petros
IV, nach
Indien
(1876/1877).
10.00–10.30
Martin
Tamcke:
“Bishop
Gabriel”.
Session VI
Moderator:
Prof. Dr.
Jürgen
Tubach
(Martin
Luther
Univ.,
Halle,
Germany)
11.00–11.30
Theresia
Hainthaler:
Christ in
the flesh,
who is God
over all
(Rom 9,5
Pesh.). The
letter of
Catholicos
Timothy I.
(780-823) to
the monks of
Mar Maron.
11.30–12.00
Hidemi
Takahashi:
Additional
information
on the
Syriac
manuscripts
at Yale
University.
12.00–12.30
David A.
Michelson:
Proposals
for Syriac
Prosopography
& Authority
Control.
14.00–14.30
Timothy B.
Sailors:
Quotations
of
Polycarp’s
Letter to
the
Philippians
in
Syriac.
14.30–15.00
Simon S.
Ford:
Translating
the faith:
Syriac
scholarship
and the
legislative
program in
the canons
ascribed to
Maruta of
Maiphweqat.
15.00–15.30
Abraha
Tedros:
Isaac of
Nineveh,
Filoxenus of
Mabbug, John
Saba: three
fundamental
names of
Ethiopian
monasticism,
theology and
spirituality:
History of
the
translation
of the texts
attributed
to them and
their
influence.
Session
VIII
Moderator:
Rev. Dr.
Johns
Abraham
Konat
(Prof.,
SEERI,
Kottayam)
16.00–16.30Thomas
Koonammakkal:
Justin and
Ephrem: A
parallel.
16.30–17.00
Andrea
Schmidt& Gaby
Abousamra:
Cataloguing
the Syriac
Manuscripts
and
Fragments of
the
Manuscripts
Institutes
in Yerevan
and Tbilisi.
The case of
Syriac
Amulets from
the Urmia
Region.
Saturday -
11th
September
2010
06.30 –
07.30
Holy Qurbana
Celebrant:Msgr.
Jacob
Vellian
(Syro-Malabar
Knanaya
Catholic,
Kottayam)
Session IX
Moderator:
Prof. Dr.
Martin
Tamcke
(Georg-August
Univ.
Göttingen,
Germany)
08.50-08.55
Prayer Song
(Bethany
Sisters).
09.00–09.30
F.B.
Chatonnet &
Jimmy
Daccache:
Researches
on Syriac
writing in
the
background
of Antioch.
09.30–10.00
Rainer Voigt:
From the
Aramaic
script to
the Indian
scripts &
from the
Indian
scripts to
the Ethiopic
scripts.
10.00–10.30
Baby
Varghese:
West
Syrian
Liturgy: A
survey of
hundred
years of
Researches.
Session
X
Moderator:
Prof. Dr.
Andrea
Barbara
Schmidt
(Université
Catholique
de LLN,
Belgium)
11.00–11.30
Amir
Harrak:
New evidence
on the
Christian
emirs of
Mesopotamia
during the
Mongol
period.
11.30–12.00
Abdo
Badwi:
The painting
of the
crowning of
Our Lady
between
Lebanon and
Kerala.
12.00–12.30
Mar Aprem:
East Syriac
books
printed in
India.
14.00–14.30
Ugo Achille
Zanetti:
"Fraction
prayers" in
the Coptic
Mass.
14.30–15.00
Philippa
Malas:
The
illustrations
of Syriac
lectionary
Add. 7170 in
the British
Library as
evidence of
cultural
exchange.
15.00–15.30
Thomas A.
Carlson:
The nature
of the
Church (of
the East) in
Ishaq
Shbandnaya’s
“Poem on the
Divine
Economy”.
Session
XII
Moderator:
Moderator:
Hidemi
Takahashi
(The
University
of Tokyo,
Japan)
16.00–16.30
Steve
Cochrane:
Angamaly: a
re-examination
of its
importance
in the light
of early 9th
century
Asian
comparative
history.
16.30-17.00
JMF Van
Reeth &
Peter
Strauven:
The
emergence of
the Syriac
Oktoèchos: a
liturgical
translation
of the
Universe.
Sunday - 12th
September
2010
08.00 –
09.30:
Holy Qurbana
Celebrant:
Rev. Fr.
Raju
Parakkott
(Vicar,
St. Thomas
Malankara
Catholic
Church
(SEERI))
Excursion
Programme
(Foreign
Delegates)
10.00:
Depart from
SEERI.
In the list,
there are 10
destinations.
Necessary
changes in
the
destinations
will be made
during the
journey,
according to
feasibility
and
availability
of time.
Those
interested
should give
their names
at the
registration
counter by
Friday,
Sept. 10, to
facilitate
booking of
transportation.
1. St.
Mary’s
Church,
Kuravilangadu
(There we
can see “The
boat of
Jonah”. This
is the only
church where
the 3-day
fast in
Kerala is
solemnly
celebrated.
We can also
see
Pre-Diamper
bell with
Syriac
inscription
& Tomb
inscriptions
in Syriac).
2. Visit to
Beth
Aprem
Nazrani
Dayra,
Kappumthala
near
Kuravilangadu.
3.
Kaduthuruthy
St. Mary’s
Church
(Syro-Malabar
Knanaya
Church with
the oldest
and biggest
granite
Cross.
4. Pampakuda
(The famous
Konat
collections
of Syriac
manuscripts,
guided by
Fr. Dr.
Johns
Abraham
Konat).
5.
Mulanthuruthy
Mar Thomman
Church
(the venue
of several
Synods;
pre-Diamper
Syriac
inscriptions
on the main
entrance and
the tomb
inscriptions
of Mar
Koorilos
Yuyakim -
responsible
for West
Syriac
renaissance
in the
region).
6. Kandanad
(Jacobite
Syrian)
Church, with
mural
inscriptions
on the
parish house
and facade
of the
church.
7.
Tripunithura
Nadamel
Palli
(Malankara
Syrian
Orthodox
Church),
with
beautiful
Syriac
inscriptions
on the altar
& tombs.
8.
Kadamattam
Malankara
Orthodox
Syrian
Church with
Syriac
inscriptions.
Famous for
the legend
of
Kadamattathu
Kathanar.
9.
Pallikkara
Malankara
Syrian
Orthodox
Church with
Syriac
inscriptions
and one of
the best
Portuguese
interior
decorations
of the
madbaha.
10.
Kothamangalam
Cheriyapalli
(Malankara
Syrian
Orthodox
Church),
famous for
Altar and
biographical
inscriptions
in Syriac.
Monday - 13th
September
2010
06.30 –
07.30
Holy Qurbana
Celebrant:H.E.
Mathews Mar
Aprem
(Malankara
Syrian
Orthodox
Church)
Session
XIII
Moderator:
Rev.
Dr. Philip
Njaralakkatt
(Prof.
Syriac,
Retd.
Principal St
Thomas
College,
Pala)
08.50-08.55
Prayer Song
(Bethany
Sisters,
Kalathilpadi).
08.55–09.30
Erica
C.D. Hunter:
Syriac
prayer-amulets
from Turfan.
09.30–10.00
Frederic
Alpi:
Severus of
Antioch and
Eastern
Churches
(512 -518).
10.00–10.30
Philip
Vysaneth:
Music, the
language of
heart in the
Syro-Malankara
liturgy and
its relation
to Raga
in the
Indian
Music.
Session
XIV
Moderator:
Rev. Dr.Xavier
Koodapuzha
(Reš Dayro.
Mar Thoma
Šliha
Nazrani
Dayara,
Nallathanni)
11.00–11.30
Thomas
Kollamparampil:
Multiple
covenants
and the
“People from
the
Peoples” in
Aphrahat.
11.30–12.00
Kuriakose
Valavanolickal:
Attitude of
Aphrahat to
the poor.
12.00–12.30
Jiphy
Mekkattukulam:
Acts of
Thomas: new
findings.
12.30–12.40
Noon Prayer
(Fr. Saju
Keepanassery
-
West Syriac)
Session
XV
Moderator:
Amir Harrak
(Professor,
Univ. of
Toronto,
Canada)
14.00–14.30
Gebremedhin
Dimetros
Woldu:
The
Significance
of St.
Ephrem in
the
Ethiopian
Christian
Tradition.
14.30–15.00
Rima
Smine
Gannage:
The
Iconography
of Syriac
Lectionaries:
British
Library Add.
7170 and
Vatican Syr.
559.
15.00 –15.30
Paul C.
Dilley:
Heavenly
visions in
the
martyrdom of
Mihr-Narse.
16.00–16.30
Jean-Paul
Deschler:
Word and
Meaning: A
Glossary in
Liturgy and
Iconography
with special
reference to
the theology
of the
Eastern
Churches.
16.30–17.00
Rifaat
Ebied:
A Collection
of acrostic
admonitions
in Syriac
attributed
to St.
Ephrem the
Syrian.
20.40 -21.30
Cultural
Programme:
(Music,
dance etc)
led by Msgr.
Jacob
Vellian and
his troupe.
Tuesday
-14th
September
2010
Jubilee
Celebrations:
Liturgy
Service
Holy
Qurbana (09.00
a.m.):
Chief
Celebrant:
H. B.
Ignatios
Youssef III
Younan,
Syrian
Catholic
Patriarch of
Antioch
Co-celebrants:
The
Archbishop
and Bishops
of the
Syro-Malankara
Catholic
Church.
Prof. Jürgen
Tubach,
Martin
Luther
Univ. Halle,
Germany.
Vote of
Thanks:
Rev. Fr.
Raju
Parakott
(Asst.
Director,
SEERI)
Benediction.
Photo
Session
Session
XVII
(A)
Moderator:
Prof. Rifaat
Ebied
(Emeritus
Professor of
Semitic
Studies,
University
of Sydney,
Australia)
14.00–14.30
Jürgen
Tubach:
Indigenous
and foreign
Christians
in the East
Arabian
dioceses of
the hyparchy
Persis.
14.30-15.00
Roula
Skaf:
La
définitude
en
araméen-Syriaque.
15.00–15.30
Lutz
Greisiger:
Emperor
Heraclius in
Jerusalem as
reflected in
7th
century
Syriac and
Hebrew
apocalyptic
narratives.
Session XVII
(B)
Moderator:
Theresia
Hainthaler
(Hochschule
Sankt,
Georgen,
Frankfurt,
Germany)
14.00–14.30
Jacob
Vellian:Taksa
d’Raze.
14.30–15.00
Stephen
Plathottathil:
Ramšo
d-Denho:
Technical
terms and
themes of
Penquitho.
15.00–15.30
Garry Moon
Yuen Pang:
The
historical
and
theological
significance
of the
Chinese-Syriac
Jingjiao
Monument in
China.
Session
XVIII
(A)
Moderator:
Rev. Dr.
Abraham
Kuruvilla
(Principal
Mar Thoma
Seminary,
Kottayam)
16.00–16.30
Behnam
Keryo:
St. Ephrem,
a monk in
love.
16.30–17.00
John
Vattanky:
Understanding
Christian
eschatology
against the
background
of the
thought of
Ephrem and
Sankara.
Session
XVIII
(B)
Moderator:
Dr.
George
Anton Kiraz
(Beth
Marduto -
Gorgias
Press,
USA)
16.00–16.30
Kuriakose
Moolayil:
Printed
versions of
the
Nomocanon
16.30–17.00
George
Menacherry:
Realities
of South
Indian social
life and
apostolic
traditions
as reflected
in certain
hymns of
Ephrem.
Wednesday -
15th
September
2010
Session XIX
Moderator:
Prof.
Erica C.D.
Hunter
(SOAS,
London
Univ., UK)
08.50-08.55
Prayer Song:
Orthodox
Theological
Seminary
Students
08.55–09.30Zeki
Aydin:
Jacob of
Sarug’s
Mimro on
Zakai.
09.30–10.00
Assad
Sauma Assad:
Ephrem's
commentary
on the
Blessings of
Jacob
10.00–10.30
Simone
Isacco Maria
Pratelli:
The most
ancient
manuscripts
of the store
house of
mysteries &
Gregorius
Barhebraeus’
commentary
on the
prophets: a
few remarks.
11.00–11.30
Sebastian
P. Brock:
The
significance
of the new
finds of
Syriac
manuscripts
at St.
Catherine’s
Monastery,
Sinai
11.30–12.00
Jomy
Joseph:
The
eco-theological
perspectives
of Ephrem
the Syrian.
12.00-12.30
George
Kiraz:
The
šhimo
in the
Syriac
tradition.
12.30–12.40
Noon Prayer
(West
Syriac
Orthodox
Seminary
students)
Session
XXI
Moderator:
Rev. Dr.
Thomas
Kollamparampil
CMI
(President,
Dharmaram
Vidya
Kshetram,
Bangalore)
14.00–14.30
Jonathan
Loopstra:
Perceptions
of the
Syriac Bible
in the works
of the 17th
century
biblical
critic
Father
Richard
Simon.
14.30–15.00
Jincy
O.U.:
A study on
the
commemoration
of Sts.
Peter and
Paul from
the Hudra of
the Church
of the
East.
15.00–15.30
Robert
Gabriel:
The first
printed
books in
Syriac.
Session
XXII
Moderator:
Rev. Fr.
Jerome,
Peedikaparambil
OIC
(Provincial,
Navajeevan
Province,
TVM)
16.00–16.30
Robin
Beth Shamuel:
The Western
missionaries
and the
revival of
the
neo-Aramaic
dialects
(Sureth).
16.30–17.00
Shinichi
Muto:
Christ's
descent to
the
underworld
in the
Khara-Khoto
Syriac
document
found in
inner
Mongolia.
Thursday
- 16th
September
2010
Session
XXIII (A)
Moderator: Gaby
Abousamra
(Kaslik Uni.
Beirut,
Lebanon)
08.50-08.55
Prayer Song:
SEERI
Students
08.55–09.30
Rifaat
Ebied &
Lionel
Wickham:
A short
Treatise on
the Trinity
in Syriac
attributed
to St.
Ephrem the
Syrian.
09.30–10.00
P.V.
Philip:
John the
Evangelist,
the disciple
that Jesus
loved.
10.00–10.30
Saju
Keeppanasseril:
A Homily on
the Number
12.
Session
XXIII (B)
Moderator:
Dr. Assad
Sauma
(Aram
Stockholm,
Sweden)
08.50-08.55
Prayer
Song: SEERI
Students
08.55-09.30
Stephen
Olikal:
The concept
of “woman”
in Mar Jacob
of Sarug’s
Mimre.
9.30-10.00
Varghese
George:
Tesbuhtho
d-Pothuro
according to
Jacob of
Sarug.
10.00-10.30
Luis
Philipe
Thomaz:
St. Thomas
in a 16th
century
Portuguese
poem.
Valedictory
Session:
11.15 hrs.
Prayer Song:
Rev. Dn.
Severios
Welcome:
Rev. Dr.
Kuriakose
Moolayil
Corepiscopa
Valedictory
Address:
Prof. K.
Mathew,
Member,
Syndicate,
M.G.
University
Moderator
for
Evaluations:
Dr. Mary
Hansbury
(Philadelphia,
USA)
Evaluations:
A delegate
from each of
the
following
regions/countries
is
requested to
evaluate
this
conference:
America
Australia
Europe
Far-East
India
Middle-East
Recommendations
and
suggestions:
Open to
floor.
Vote of
Thanks:
Rev. Dn.
Shaun Mathew
(1st
Year M A
Student)
Tuvaik seeri
&
Abun d
basmayo
Visit
to Mannanam
Collection
of Syriac
Manuscripts
& M. G.
University:
16th
September
2010
Fr. Prior of
the St
Joseph
Monastery
has invited
us to visit
Mannanam the
citadel of
Syriac
heritage.
Those
interested
may give
their names
at the
registration
counter. We
will also be
visiting
Mahatma
Gandhi
University,
Kerala’s
largest
university,
which also
has the
greatest
number of
affiliated
colleges in
Kerala.
Additional
Papers
Nelson P.:
Anaphora of
Dionysius
Areopagite
Varghese
Varghese:
Ido
d-Denho
according to
Mar Jacob of
Serugh.
Jose
Charuvil:
Prayer of
peace in the
Anaphora of
St. James in
comparison
with those
of other
Anaphorae.
John
Kannanthanam:
Jewish
influence on
East Syriac
traditions
with a
special
mention of
marriage
ceremonies.
Raju
Parakkott:
St. Paul
according to
Narsai.
Mathew
Kuttiani:
Persian
martyrs of
early 5th
century.
Johns
Abraham
Konat:
Cataloguing
of the
Syriac
Manuscripts
of
Pampakuda
collection.
Thomas
Mannooramparampil:
An
ancient Commentary
of an
anonymous
author on
the East
Syriac Holy
Qurbana.
Jacob
Thekeparampil:
Simon as
tupso –
a model for
penitence
according to
Jacob of
Serugh.
BP oil leak offers 'lesson in humility'and 'limits of technology'
Catholic News Service
The "sense of powerlessness and delay" in resolving the worstoffshore oil spillin U.S. history offers a lesson about the limits of technology, a Vatican official said.
Jesuit FatherFederico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said in a commentary June 19 that the leaking BP oil well in theGulf of Mexicowas a disaster "of enormous proportions, and getting worse."
He compared it to the 1984 chemical factory explosion inBhopal, India, or the 1986 meltdown of the nuclear power plant inChernobyl, Ukraine.
"What is striking in this case isthe sense of powerlessness and delayin finding a solution to this disaster faced by one of the largest and most technologically advanced oil multinationals in the world, but also by the most powerful country on earth," FatherLombardisaid.
"It seems incredible, but it is a fact. This is not the eruption of a volcano, but a relatively small man-made hole in the seabed. Yet, in two months, expert scientists and technicians, leaders in their field, have failed to plug it," he said.
The Vatican spokesmansaid he hoped people would draw from the disaster a lesson ofprudence and care in the use of the earth's resources.
"Perhaps we can also draw a lesson in humility," he said.
"Technology will advance. But if a relatively simple production process leaves us so helpless, what will we do if much more complex processes get out of hand, such as those affecting the energy hidden in the heart of matter or moreover in the processes of the formation of life?" he said.
Father Lombardi noted that the issue ofresponsible use of technologywas addressed byPope Benedict XVIin his latest encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate" ("Charity in Truth").
Belgaum Priest Wins Top Protestant Ecumenical HR Award
CoutesyCSF ACatholic priestworking inIndia’s Karnataka state has been selected for ahuman rights awardinstituted in memory of a Protestant clergyman. Father P. J. Jacob from Belgaum diocese is the first Catholic priest to be conferred the M. A. Thomas National Human Rights Award. He will receive a citation and cash prize of 100,000 rupees (US$2,174) in Bangalore in August. Father Jacob, founder of the Vimochana (liberation) Development Society, has “contributed immensely” towardsocial justiceand “consistently promoted” people’s rights for 45 years, theVigil India Movement(VIM) said in a statement. VIM set up the award in 1993 to honor Reverend M. A. Thomas of theMar Thoma Church, who died in 1993 at the age of 80.
Father Jacob, a former member of the state legislative assembly for a term of five years, also established institutions to educate the poor, VIM program manager, John Juliana said. The human rights award is given once in two years to an individual or institution for making significant contributions in the field of human rights. Reverend Thomas, an ecumenical leader, founded VIM and the EcumenicalChristian CentreinBangalore.
CRI Meets the Challenge of a New India
The Conference of Religious India (CRI) is to launch a special scheme to prepare new Indian Religious congregation leaders to meet challenges posed by the country’s expected rapid development in the next decade. “There are many people predicting that India will be adeveloped country by the year 2020 and the Catholic Religious will have to prepare for that,” said Brother Mani Mekkunnel, CRI national secretary. He said the conference will organize courses on “visions for the future” for young Religious in its 13 regions across India. “We are planning to bring one Religious aged 30-35 from each region for the program,” Brother Mekkunnel explained. The first session is scheduled for July 1-4 at the Renewal Centre in Kochi, for the Kerala region. The program will conclude with a national convention in March, 2011 in Pune, where more than 1,000 young Religious are expected to attend. CRI represents more than 125,000 Catholic Religious brothers, priests and nuns in India. Some 30,000 religious are aged 30–35. Religious who participate in the program would become leaders in their congregations and regions by the year 2020, Brother Mekkunnel said. The participants will make a commitment to seek ways to make Religious life more relevant in the modern world. They will set 10 goals to achieve this. Many of the traditional functions done by Religious today will become irrelevant in the next ten years, said Brother Mekkunnel. The Religious will have to look for ways to make their life meaningful and purposeful, he said, adding “nothing will be imposed” on the participants during the program. It would be a collective search, he added.
1. Continuing my reflection on Eastern Christianity, today I would like to focus attention on the development of Eastern theology, which, even in the centuries that followed the age of the Fathers and the sad division with the Apostolic See, led to profound and stimulating perspectives at which the whole Church looks with interest. Although there is still disagreement on this point or that, we must not forget that what unites us is greater than what divides us.
An important doctrinal development occurred between the eighth and ninth centuries after the "iconoclast" crisis unleashed by several Byzantine emperors, who decided radically to suppress the veneration of sacred images. Many were forced to suffer for resisting this absurd imposition. St John Damascene and St Theodore the Studite come to mind in particular. The victorious outcome of their resistance proved decisive not only for devotion and sacred art, but also for a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation. Indeed, in the final analysis the defense of images was based on the fact that God truly became man in Jesus of Nazareth. It is therefore legitimate for the artist to endeavour to portray his face, not only with the aid of his talent, but especially by interior docility to God's Spirit. The images refer to the Mystery that surpasses them, and they help us feel its presence in our life.
2. The hesychast controversy marked another distinctive moment in Eastern theology. In the East, hesychasm means a method of prayer characterized by a deep tranquillity of the spirit, which is engaged in constant contemplation of God by invoking the name of Jesus. There was no lack of tension with the Catholic viewpoint on certain aspects of this practice. However, we should acknowledge the good intentions which guided the defense of this spiritual method, that is, to emphasize the concrete possibility that man is given to unite himself with the Triune God in the intimacy of his heart, in that deep union of grace which Eastern theology likes to describe with the particularly powerful term of "theosis", "divinization".
Precisely in this regard Eastern spirituality has amassed a very rich experience which was vigorously presented in the famous collection of texts significantly entitled Philokalia (love of beauty") and gathered by Nicodemus the Hagiorite at the end of the 18th century. Down the centuries until our day, Eastern theological reflection has undergone interesting developments, not only in the classical areas of the Byzantine and Russian tradition, but also in the Orthodox communities scattered throughout the world. One need only recall, among the many studies worthy of mention, the Theology of Beauty elaborated by Pavel Nikolaievich Evdokimov, which is based on the Eastern art of the icon, and the study of the doctrine of "divinization" by the Orthodox scholar, Loth Borovine.
How many things we have in common! It is time for Catholics and Orthodox to make an extra effort to understand each other better and to recognize with the renewed wonder of brotherhood what the Spirit is accomplishing in their respective traditions towards a new Christian springtime.
3. Let us ask Mary, Mother of Wisdom, to teach us to recognize promptly the infinite expressions of God's presence in the history of mankind. May she help us to concentrate on the positive rather than the negative, and to use all the creativity of mutual understanding for engaging in fruitful dialogue, even on points where differences remain. For this reason, may the Holy Spirit grant us the wisdom of heart so dear to Eastern spirituality and essential to any genuinely Christian experience.
I am pleased to welcome all the English-speaking visitors who have joined us for this Angelus prayer. May these summer holidays be a time of relaxation and spiritual renewal for you and your families.
Today, as we remember St Clare of Assisi, my thoughts turn to the Poor Clares and to all cloistered nuns. I express to them the loftiest esteem which the Christian community has for this kind of life, "a sign of the exclusive union of the Church as Bride with her Lord, whom she loves above all things" (Apostolic Exhortation Vita consecrata, n. 59). By offering themselves to Jesus for the world's salvation, they represent "a joyful proclamation and prophetic anticipation of the possibility offered to every person and to the whole of humanity to live solely for God in Christ Jesus" (ibid.). They therefore deserve my gratitude and that of the whole Church, and an encouragement to persevere faithfully in the cloistered life according to their specific charism.
The Apostolic Nunciature in India, New Delhi.
His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Titular Archbishop of Montemarano, is the new Apostolic Nuntio to India. The following is the CURRICULUM VITAE of His Grace:
► His Excellency, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio was born in Marano (Naples) Italy on 7 September 1952.
► He was ordained a priest on 18 September, 1976.
► He holds a Doctorate in Philosophy and entered into the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on 15 April, 1979.
► He served in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Panama, Ethiopia, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, Yugoslavia and Ireland.
► On 28 November, 1998, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda.
► On 20 November, 2003, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia, and Apostolic Delegate in Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia and Brunei.
► On 8 May, 2010, he was appointed apostolic Nuncio to India
The Hindu, Hyderabad, April 26 Special Correspondent
HYDERABAD: The National Board of the Church History Association of India which met on Saturday has resolved to hold platinum jubilee triennial assembly here in July 2011. A massive exhibition of early Church initiatives dating back to the first century AD covering the themes of socio-economic upliftment, literacy and printing technology initiation, peace promotion and other subjects would be the highlight of the assembly. Historians from India and observers from other countries will attend the event, according to Prof. Snaithong of Shillong and Prof. George Manachery of Kerala, president and general secretary respectively of CHAI.
Hyderabad, 24 April
The Church History Association of India CHAI celebrates its Platinum Jubilee and 15th Triennial together at the American Research Centre Complex Hyderabad / the ACTC on a large scale with five-day long programmes. The National office bearers and the Church History Association of Andhra Pradesh CHAAP the local organisers took this joint decision at a meeting presided over by Bishop Parmar at NCC HQ / Satyodaya, Hyderabad.
More than 18 Scholars will present papers at the Triennial on "Indian Christian Historical- Cultural Studies- Yesterday, today". A platinum Jubilee Commemoration Volume containing 75 learned papers edited by Dr. Oberland Snaithang (CHAI President) and Prof. George Menachery (CHAI Secretary General) will be published on the occasion. A National Essay competition on the preservation of Christian Monuments in India will be conducted under the charge of Dr. Varghese Perayil, prof. Agnes d’Sa, and Rev. Jeramia (ACTC). An Indian Christian Historico-Cultural Exhibition under the auspices of the association’s Northern, North-Eastern, Eastern, Western, and Southern branches will be organised under the leadership of Dr. Oliver, Dr. Francis Thonippara, Dr. Pasupalethi Manasseh, Dr. Thomas Edmunds, Dr. George Ummen, Dr. Mathias Mundadan, Rev. Jeramiah, Rev. P. Diggal and Dr. Leonardo Fernando. The national executive committee and the Twin Cities’ organizing committee solicited the active co-operation of Church leaders and historians to make the CHAI Platinum Jubilee celebrations a success. The delegates were received in typical and traditional Telugu style and decorated with Ponnadas and Veshtis by former Moderator Bishop Rev. Dr. Parmar.
A Source of Hope
The flourishing Church in India is destined to play a leading role in ecclesiastical affairs
in the 21st century. in ecclesial affairs in the 21st century.
by Jeff Ziegler
Nearly two millennia ago, a doubting apostle saw, believed, and preached the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Fifteen hundred years later, a student at the University of Paris met Ignatius of Loyola, helped found the Jesuit order, and obeyed an order to accompany the Portuguese who were colonizing the East. The apostolic labors of St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Francis Xavier have borne much fruit in the ensuing centuries. If demography is destiny, then the Church in India, more than any other nation, is destined to play a leading role in ecclesial affairs in the 21st century, much as the Church in France left its mark on the 13th century and the Church in Spain deeply influenced the 16th. At the end of 2007, India’s Catholic population ranked 16th in the world, behind Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, Italy, France, Spain, Colombia, Poland, Argentina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Peru, Venezuela, and Nigeria. Yet more than the faithful of any other nation, India’s 18.6 million Catholics have fostered a culture in which priestly and religious vocations and Catholic institutions flourish. India has more seminarians (14,120) than any other nation—nearly 5,000 more than second-ranked Brazil. (This figure does not include India’s 10,875 high-school seminarians.) Between 1999 and 2007, the number of Indian seminarians increased by an astounding 40 percent. Nearly 64 percent of India’s seminarians will be ordained for religious orders rather than local dioceses. Between 1999 and 2007, the number of diocesan priests ministering in India rose by 24 percent, from 10,690 to 13,290—not counting the 1,032 diocesan priests serving in other nations— while the number of religious-order priests rose by 33 percent, from 8,248 to 11,003. During the same time period, the number of diocesan priests in the United States—which has 67.8 million Catholics—fell by 5 percent, and the number of religious priests plummeted by 17 percent. Vocations to non-ordained religious life are flourishing as well. India has more nuns than any other nation (except Italy), and will soon rank first in the world if trends continue. Between 1999 and 2007, the number of professed women religious grew by 19 percent, from 79,608 to 94,450, during a time
when the number dropped by 23 percent in the US, from 81,364 to 63,250. During the same time period, the number of non-ordained male religious in India rose by 37 percent, from 2,558 to 3,502, while the number declined by 13 percent in the United States to 5,124. Accompanying the continued growth of the priesthood and religious life in India is an institutional presence unmatched anywhere in the world. India has 10,240 Catholic elementary schools with more than three million students— more than any other nation in the world, and more than all the nations of North and Central America combined. India has more than five thousand high schools with over three million students— again, more than any other nation, and more than double the number of Catholic high school students in all of North and Central America. There are more Catholic hospitals in India than in all of North America. Indeed, the Church in India has more hospitals (754), medical dispensaries (2,504), leprosaria (220), and orphanages (2,327) than any other nation. These institutions are desperately needed in a nation where the per capita gross domestic product is $2,900 but 42 percent of the people live on less than $1.25 a day.
Sacramental statistics point to an active missionary presence within India and a seriousness with respect to Catholic marriage. Nearly 17 percent of baptisms in India are baptisms of adult converts; in the United States, the figure is 7 percent. Less than 6 percent of Catholic weddings in India are mixed marriages between a Catholic and non- Catholic spouse; in the United States, the figure is more than 27 percent. In addition, Church authorities in the United States annulled 22,174 marriages in 2007; in India, the number was 801. THRE RITES While the majority of Catholics in India belong to the Latin rite, the Church there is also blessed with the presence of two vibrant Eastern Catholic Churches: the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
In A.D. 52, St. Thomas the Apostle preached the Gospel in what is now the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. The St. Thomas Christians in time adopted the Chaldean liturgical tradition, now used by the Chaldean Catholic Church and the separated Assyrian Church of the East. When Portuguese explorers encountered the St. Thomas Christians in 1498, the latter professed the primacy of the pope. By 1510, Portuguese missionaries began to spread the faith further up the coast at Goa. The Latin Catholic hierarchy was established with the founding of the Diocese of Goa in 1533; its territory stretched at one time from South Africa to China. Even today, the archbishop of Goa and Daman is also known as the Primate of the East and the Patriarch of the East Indies. Latin-rite Catholicism established a much firmer foothold with the arrival of St. Francis Xavier; using Goa as his base, he preached in western India from 1542 to 1545. In time, the Portuguese Latin rite hierarchy angered many St. Thomas Christians down the coast by imposing changes on the ancient Chaldean liturgy. In 1653, thousands of St. Thomas Christians left the Catholic Church and sought communion with the Syrian Orthodox Church, forming the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, which now numbers 2.5 million members. A Malankara Orthodox Syrian monk and bishop, Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, was reconciled with the Holy See in 1930, leading to the formation of the Syro- Malankara Catholic Church, which now has 413,000 faithful and celebrates the sacred liturgy according to the Antiochan tradition. The cause of beatification of Archbishop Mar Ivanios— hailed by G.K. Chesterton as the “Newman of India” when the two met at a Eucharistic congress in Dublin—was opened in 2007.
The St. Thomas Christians who remained faithful to Rome in time became the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Now the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church (after the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church), it is a community of astonishing vitality. Led by the Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, it has 3.7 million faithful, 9,121 priests, 2,607 seminarians, and an astounding 35,000 women religious. The typical Syro- Malabar parish—there are 3,200 of them—has 1,150 laity, three priests, and 11 nuns.
“Not attending Sunday Masses is almost unthinkable for one growing up in a Catholic family,” says Father George Madathiparampil, vicar general of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago, as he discussed the vitality of the Syro- Malabar Catholic Church. “It would even invite social condemnation.” “There is a great respect for the pope and the bishops and hence, here is very little chance of any act of challenge to their authority,” he added. “Humanae Vitae did not create any ripple of disobedience among Indian Catholics.” Both the Syro-Malabar and Syro- Malankara Catholic Churches—unlike the majority of Eastern Catholic Churches—practice the discipline of clerical celibacy.
“In India, renunciation of worldly pleasures is the hallmark of a person of God,” observed Archbishop Benedict Varghese Gregorios Thangalathil, who led the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church from 1955 to 1994. “A celibate Brahmachari is one who lives and moves in Brahman (God),” he noted in a 1993 essay. “If the non-Christians do not fail to see the advantage of celibacy for the good of religion and society, for a Christian…the motives for celibacy are much more deep and the benefits are much more lofty. Jesus, who lived a virgin life and exhorted his close followers to leave all, including marriage and family attachments, is the ultimate inspiration and the most exalted model of perfect renunciation.”
India has more seminarians than any other nation— nearly 5,000 more than second-ranked Brazil. (This figure does not include India’s 10,875 high school seminarians.) February2010_Complete1.indd 16 1/22/2010 1:03:03 PM THEE CATHOLLIIC WORLLD REEPPORT,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 22001100 1177 A MINOR ITY PRESENCE The least Catholic area of the United States is north-central Mississippi, where the 65 counties that form the Diocese of Jackson are 2.4 percent Catholic. India is even less Catholic than north-central Mississippi: only 1.6 percent of India’s 1.17 billion people are Catholic. India remains an overwhelmingly Hindu nation (81 percent) with a substantial Muslim community (13 percent) and a tiny Christian minority (2.3 percent, including Catholics). “In India the people have a sense of religion deeply rooted in them,” says Salesian Father Joseph Parippil, secretary to the archbishop of Guwahati, a northeastern Indian archdiocese where only 1 percent of area residents are Catholic. “All traditional families are deeply religious whatever religion they belong to. The common people do follow their conscience and are ever seeking the spiritual values.”
“Indian Catholic culture is closely linked with the rich cultural tradition of the country,” concurs Professor K.V. Thomaskutty, a historian at St. John’s College in Anchal, Kerala, and one of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church’s most prominent laymen. The vice president of Malankara Catholic Association told CWR that “decaying but still strong family bonds, dependence, love, care, and associations are there in the social structure of the Indian society.” “Even Communism could not establish atheistic Communism, though so far three states have been ruled by the Communist Party,” adds Father Parippil. “Indian Communists are not atheists.”
While India’s deeply religious non- Christian culture in a sense supports Catholic devotional life and the discipline of clerical celibacy, it also has led to the persecution of the Church. The US State Department’s 2009 international religious freedom report notes that “the government has not admitted new resident foreign missionaries since the mid-1960s. There is no national law barring a citizen or foreigner from professing or propagating religious beliefs; however, the Foreigners Act prohibits speaking publicly against the religious beliefs of others.”
Although India is a secular nation whose constitution respects religious freedom, five of India’s 29 state governments have enacted anti-conversion laws, and some states have turned a blind eye to the persecution of Christians. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—which ruled the nation from 1999 to 2004 and remains a major political party—has called for the passage of anti-conversion laws throughout India. Anti-Christian persecution in India attracted worldwide attention in 2008 when violence in the northeastern state of Orissa left 90 dead and fifty thousand homeless (see “Kill Christians and Destroy Their Institutions,” CWR, December 2008). Most anti-Christian persecution, however—such as these incidents that took place during the last six months of 2009—is rarely mentioned in the Western media.
• In July, the BJP government in Karnataka refused to extend a property lease and demanded that a Catholic social service agency return 58 acres to the government. In 1977, the state government had leased the property to the agency to help care for leprosy patients. Over the years, the agency built 60 houses for leprosy and AIDS patients, as well as a factory, a job training center, and a dispensary. Upon implementation, the government decision will leave 360 homeless.
• On July 6, the Supreme Court of India reversed an earlier court ruling and decided to consider a lawsuit by a Muslim student at a Catholic school in Madhya Pradesh. The Muslim student argued that the school was infringing on his religious rights by requiring male students to be clean shaven. Bishop Antony Chirayath of Sagar said he was prepared to undergo a lengthy legal battle to uphold the right of the Church to set disciplinary policies in its schools.
• On July 30, Father James Mukalel was brutally murdered in Karnataka as he was returning from the funeral of another priest. No arrests were made in the case.
• On September 5, Father Varghese Thekkekut, a priest who heads a mission school in Chhattisgarh, was kicked and almost strangled by two young men. No arrests were made in the case.
• On September 29, Maoists in the eastern state of Jharkand kidnapped and beheaded a Catholic police officer.
• In October, thousands of Catholics in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh faced the prospect of the destruction of their homes as the government developed plans to confiscate largely Catholic villages and agricultural land in order to build industrial parks.
• On October 13, a BJP government official in Madhya Pradesh gave the Diocese of Jhabua three days to provide the government with details about Church property and cemeteries. A Church spokesman feared that the order portended a government attempt to control Church institutions.
• On the night of November 7, vandals broke into a parish in Karnataka, desecrated the tabernacle, stole a chalice and two ciboria, and scattered the hosts around the church. Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore— India’s fifth-largest city— denounced government and police apathy.
• On November 20, the bishops of February2010_Complete1.indd 17 1/22/2010 1:03:04 PM 1188 THEE CATHOLLIIC WORLLD REEPPORT,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 22001100 the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka issued a statement against the rise of “moral policing,” in which Hindu fundamentalist groups attack youths from different religions when they socialize together.
• On December 19, a politician and his bodyguards used their rifles to beat Father Lawrence Chittuparambil, director of a Catholic school in the northwestern state of Punjab. Police did not arrest the politician; after the Church closed 150 Catholic schools and the local diocese organized a protest in which 1,500 people blocked all entries to the town where the school was located, the politician turned himself in to police.
• On December 20, a group of militants, invoking the names of Hindu deities, attacked a Christmas fair in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and set fire to biblical representations. The local archbishop lamented that authorities rarely respond to attacks on Christians. Despite these and similar incidents of violence and discrimination, Father Hector D’Souza, provincial of the South Asian Jesuits, told UCA News upon leaving office in 2009: What we need now is real persecution. Persecution can purify us of our lethargy, inactiveness, and failure to live the Gospel. If purification does not come within the Church, God will use other means to purify us. Wherever the Church faced persecution, it has become very strong. For example, the Church in Gujarat…has become alive and vibrant after Hindu radicals targeted it a decade ago. The Church in India was very vibrant when the Bharatiya Janata Party ruled India. People were out on the streets for their rights. Similar things happened after the attacks on Christians in 2008. However, the violence we have experienced is only pinpricks. Real persecution will come only when our structures are affected.
MISS IONAR IES AND REL IGIOUS Although the Church in India is known for its education and charitable institutions, “Indian Catholicism will be mainly associated with missionary activity” in the decades ahead, Father Madathiparampil believes. The statistics support his claim: Catholic missionary vocations are flourishing in India. In 1968, Syro-Malabar Bishop Sebastian Vayalil founded the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle to preach the Gospel in non- Christian regions, principally in India. Today, the order has more than 300 priests. In 1984, the late Father Jose Kailett, a Latin rite priest, founded the Heralds of the Good News, an Indian missionary order whose priests serve in areas where local vocations are lacking, including Guatemala, Italy, Kenya, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States. The order now has 211 priests and 745 seminarians. These male religious congregations, while growing, are not among the world’s largest. Four of the nine largest women’s religious communities, however, are now Indian. Each has more members than the Benedictines, Dominicans, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, School Sisters of Notre Dame, and other well-known women’s communities. The Franciscan Clarist Congregation, founded in 1888, is based in Kerala and combines the spirituality of St. Francis with that of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Assisting the elderly, orphans, lepers, AIDS patients, and others in need, it has 7,078 members, a gain of 156 between 2006 and 2009. The Congregation of the Mother of Carmel, founded in 1866 by Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, was the Syro- Malabar Catholic Church’s first women’s institute. Working in 500 schools and running 18 hospitals, these active Carmelite sisters gained 109 members between 2006 and 2009 and now number 6,508.
The Missionaries of Charity, renowned the world over for of the sanctity of their founder, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-97), serve the poorest of the poor in 133 countries. The Missionaries of Charity have grown to 5,128 members, an increase of 236 between 2006 and 2009.
The Syro-Malabar Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, founded by Bishop Thomas Kurialacherry in 1908, have spread to 100 dioceses. Centered upon Eucharistic adoration, the sisters also serve in the areas of education, health care, missionary work, and publishing. In the past decade, they have begun to staff missions in Kenya and Tanzania. Their membership now stands at 4,654, an increase of 135 between 2006 and 2009.
THREATS TO GROW TH In a November National Catholic Reporter column, John Allen discussed the influence of “adventurous” Indian theologians, including Father Felix Wilfred and Jesuit Fathers Michael Amaladoss and Aloysius Pieris, who “have been controversial because of the various ways in which they try to give positive theological value to non-Christian religions.”
The greatest threats to the dynamism of the Church in India, however, according to those interviewed by CWR, are Western-style secularism and smaller families. “Things are changing even here with all the modern media giving a secular picture and a culture of consumerism,” says Father Parippil.
“Many of the congregations in India struggle hard to find sufficient vocations,” adds Professor Thomaskutty. “Ever increasing secularizing forces, leftist thinking, antagonism on the part of the governments, and a host of similar factors contribute to this phenomenon.” “A weakening in this strong and active Catholic life is happening nowadays as the children move out of this strong Catholic ambience to join professional colleges in big cities,” says Father Madathiparampil. “In those situations, parents [still] take a lot of pains to insist that the children go to church for Sunday Masses.”
The temptations to secularism become greater with emigration. “One of the major challenges is the emigration of the young looking for jobs in Europe and America. It is then they lose the support of a culture that is permeated with religion. They become easily susceptible to the secularism of the countries in which they live and fall from the practice of their faith.” “Indian Catholics always had large families,” Father Madathiparampil adds. “Now things are changing. Families are becoming smaller. Smaller families pose a great danger to the flourishing of the faith, as then the number joining the missionary ranks of the Church will be fewer.”
Father Parippil agrees. “Now the families are becoming smaller and smaller. Within a few years we too will have to face a sharp fall in vocations to religious and priestly life.” n Jeff Ziegler writes from North Carolina. February2010_Complete1.indd 18 1/22/2010 1:03:05 PM
Cardinal Gracias and Cardinal Toppo Dedicate the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India to the Nation
GUWAHATI, March 3
The publication of the three volumes of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India is a worthy model for the world Churches and an incomparable achievement and contribution of the Church in India, stated Oswald Cardinal Gracias in Guwahati, dedicating the work to the nation. The publication of the third and final volume is something of which the Encyclopaedia team can be justly proud, but they should not rest on their oars but must continue their much needed work of service to the Church in India today, His Eminence went on to say. Telespore P. Cardinal Toppo dedicated the volumes to the world Christian community. The two Cardinals officially released the Encyclopaedia by exchanging copies of the work, in the presence of Archbishops and Bishops from all over India and members of the CBCI Commissions. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Prof. George Menachery the Editor of the Encyclopaedia, and Dr. George Plathottam the secretary of the CBCI Commission for Media also spoke on the occasion.
The Encyclopaedia comprises the contributions of hundreds of well-known scholars from all over India and abroad. There are articles on almost every aspect of Christianity in india, dealing with all chronological, denominational, and geographical divisions. The more than thousand illustrations on art plates, half of them on full colour art plates, in addition to the dozens of maps including a whole Christian and Linguistic atlas of India, and the graphs, tables, figures, and sketches go to make the work an exhaustive reference tool. Each major article is supported by bibliographies and inclusive end-notes, making the encyclopaedia an indispensible reference work for seminaries and teheological colleges. universities and colleges, and libraries of ecclesiastical establishments and headquarters and formation houses of religious congregations.
GUWAHATI, Assam to Host Catholic Bishops’ Meet
Assam will for the first time host the general body meeting of the apex body of the country’s Catholics, CBCI, from Feb. 24, 2010.
The objective of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India is to facilitate co-ordinated study and discussion on issues pertaining to the Church, besides adoption of a common policy and effective action in ecclesiastical matters.
“It is good news that Assam has been chosen as the venue for the meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India. Many of the bishops wanted to see Assam as they have never come here. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of them,” Archbishop of Guwahati Diocese, Thomas Menamparampil, said.
The meeting will be held at the Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, from February 24 to March 3 and will be attended by 160 bishops from across the country.
Menamparampil said chief minister Tarun Gogoi had also expressed happiness over the hosting of the meeting here for the first time.
The first meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India in the region was held in Shillong about two decades back.
The bishops will be treated to the region’s beauty and cultural diversity through programmes.
“We want to show them that the Northeast is a ‘paradise on earth’ and not just a land of violence. It is a beautiful place with lots of cultural diversity,” the executive director of Don Bosco Institute, V.M. Thomas, said.
Thomas said a seven-minute video film on the Northeast — a song sung and composed by national award winner Tarali Sarma — was being shot.
Sarma won the coveted Rajat Kamal as the best female playback singer in 2004, becoming the first woman from the state to win the prestigious award.
The film is being shot at different locations of the Northeast and will depict its land, people and culture.
On February 28, a special cultural extravaganza will be held where 75 troupes from across the region will showcase the diversity of the region through music and dance.
This time, the theme of the conference is Youth. Discussions will be held on the challenges confronting modern-day youth and the Church’s response.
Appointments of Bishops (Catholic)
25.01.2010: Rev. Fr. Anthony Valiyavilayil, OIC, Clergy of the Order of the Imitation of Christ has been appointed Curia Bishop of the Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, assigning him the Titular See of IGILGILLI.
25.01.2010: Rev. Fr. Stephen Thottathil, Clergy of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla, assigning him the Titular See of SOZOPOLI di EMIMONTO.
25.01.2010: Rev. Fr. Samuel Kattukallil, Clergy of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum, assigning him the Titular See of TAMALLUMA.
25.01.2010: Rev. Fr. K. M. Vincent Kulapuravilai, Clergy of the Eparchy of Marthandom has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of Marthandom.
25.01.2010: Right Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas, Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum and Apostolic Visitator to North America and Europe has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of Bathery.
25.01.2010: Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Bathery has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Puthur.
25.01.2010: Right Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Bishop of Marthandom has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Pathanamthitta.
18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor George Njaralakatt, Proto-Syncellus of the Eparchy of Bhadravathi has been appointed Bishop of the new Eparchy of Mandya.
18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Paul Alappatt, Rector of St. Mary's Minor Seminary and Judicial Vicar of the Archeparchy of Trichur has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Ramanathapuram.
18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Bosco Putur, Rector of Mangalapuzha Seminary, has been appointed Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Raphael Tbattil, Proto-Syncellus of the Archreparchy of Trichur has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the same Archeparchy.
18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Remigiose Inchananiyil, Secretary , Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of the Eparchy of Thamarassery has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of Thamarassery.
18.01.2010: Rev. Monsignor Pauly Kannookadan, Secretary of the Archepiscopal Commission for Liturgy , Clergy , Institutes for Consecrated Life and Executive Director of L.R.C, has been appointed Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of lrinjalakuda.
10.12.2009: Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado, Bishop of Nashik, has been appointed Bishop of Vasai.
10.12.2009: Bishop Lourdnada Daniel, Bishop of Amravati, appointed Apostolic Administrator of Nashik.
06.11.2009: Archbishop Dominic Lumon, Archbishop of Imphal, has been appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Kohima.
25.08.2009: Bishop Prakash Mallavarapu, Bishop of Vijayawada, has been appointed Apostolic Administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Diocese of Eluru.
14.08.2009: Rev. Fr. John Vadakel, CMI, appointed Eparchial Bishop of Bijnor
11.05.2009: Fr Arockia Sebastian Durairaj Alangaram svd, Provincial of SVD central India Province (Indore), has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Khandwa.
11.05.2009: Fr Devprasad John Ganawa svd, Parish Priest of Khrist Jyoti Mandir, Meghnagar, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Jhabua.
08.05.2009: Bishop Joseph Kariyil, of Punalur, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Cochin.
08.05.2009: Rev. Fr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, of the Clergy of Neyyattinkara and Rector of the St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Punalur.
07.04.2009: Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kallupura, of the clergy of Patna and Director of the Bihar Social Forum, Sewa Kendra, Patna, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Buxar.
04.04.2009: Bishop Thomas Dabre, bishop of Vasai diocese, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Poona and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Vasai.
02.04.2009: Bishop John Barwa, Coadjutor bishop of Rourkela diocese, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Rourkela.
10.02.2009: Fr. Ignatius Loyola Mascarenhas, of the clergy of Delhi, rector of the preparatory regional seminary at Kauli, has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Simla-Chandigarh.
10.02.2009: Msgr. Binay Kandulna, of the clergy of Khunti, collaborator of the apostolic nunciature in New Delhi has been appointed as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Ranchi.
23.01.2009: Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi, has been appointed member of the Pontifical Council for Culture.
23.01.2009: Fr. Sebastian Maria Michael S.V.D, director of the Andheri Institute of Indian Culture in Mumbai has been appointed consultor of the Pontifical Council for Culture.
22.01.2009: Fr. Edward S. Mudavassery, S.J, has been appointed Provincial Superior of South Asia. He will assume office on 31 May 2009. He succeeds Fr. Hector D'Souza S.J.
17.01.2009: Rev. Fr. Franco Mulakkal, the Treasurer of the Apostolic Union of the Clergy (Rome) has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Delhi Archdiocese and titular Bishop of Chullu.
Church in India
C. B. C. I.
Origin and Aims
C.B.C.I. is permanent association of the Catholic Hierarchy of India. It was formally constituted in September 1944 at the Conference of Metropolitans held in Madras. Its objectives are to facilitate co-ordinated study and discussion of questions affecting the Church, and adoption of a common policy and effective action in all matters concerning the interests of the Church in India.
General Body
The C.B.C.I. has now 201 members of whom 38 are honorary members. The 163 members with voting right consist of 27 Archbishop-Metropolitans (including one Archbishop-Patriarch), 122 Diocesan Bishops, 1 Co-adjutor Archbishop, 1 Co-adjutor Bishop, 13 Auxiliary Bishops. The members meet for Ordinary General Meetings once in every two years, while Extra-ordinary Meetings are held according to need. At the General Meetings the C.B.C.I. reviews the situation of the Church in India and takes appropriate decision on future plans and actions that are called for. These meetings also consider the annual reports presented by the Secretary General and by the various Commissions.
The C.B.C.I. Centre
The C.B.C.I. Centre is the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. It is headed by the Deputy Secretary General who is assisted by various Secretaries of the C.B.C.I.. The Centre started functioning in 1962. Besides the C.B.C.I. Secretariat the Centre houses the Offices of some of the C.B.C.I. Commissions. Caritas India the Social and Developmental wing of the C.B.C.I. has its headquarters at the centre.
The C.B.C.I. Secretariat
Right from the establishment of the C.B.C.I. in 1944 the Secretariat was functioning in Bangalore until 1962 when it was shifted to Delhi. The functions are to watch over the various movements, to study legislative measures in the States and the Centre; to link together the various sections of the C.B.C.I. and to give information and guidance whenever required.
Statistics at a Glance
1. Ecclesiastical Units
Archdioceses
30
Dioceses
129
Total
159
2. Rite
a) Latin
b) Syro-Malabar
c) Syro-Malankara
23
5
2
105
21
4
128
26
6
3. Bishops
a) Diocesan
b) Coadjutors
c) Auxiliaries
d) Apostolic Visitator
e) Retired
29
-
10
-
11
123
1
-
2
33
152
1
10
2
44
4. Cardinals
3 (3)
-
3 (6)
Statistics (2003)
Total number of diocesan priests
Religious Priests
Religious Brothers
Religious Sisters
Total no. of Religious Congregations
For men
For women
14, 000
13, 500
4, 300
90, 000
300
70
230
Educational Institutions
Institutions
Students
K. G. & Nursery Schools
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Colleges
Medical/Nursing
School/Colleges
Engineering College
3, 785
7, 319
3, 765
240
28
5
600,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
500,000
10,000
1,500
Social Welfare Activities
Technical Training Schools & Polytechnics
Hostels & Boarding Houses
Orphanages
Creches
Hospitals
Dispensaries & Health Centres
Leprosaria
Rehabilitation Centres
Homes for Aged, Destitutes & Physically
Challenged
Caldwell’s language laboratory was a small shack
CHENNAI: Conversion of the house of Bishop Robert Caldwell at Idayankudi in Tirunelveli district into a memorial will be the second honour bestowed on the scholar, who came to India as a Protestant missionary, by the Tamil Nadu government.
The house was originally a small shack measuring just 17X11 feet when Caldwell occupied it in 1841 after walking down to Idayankudi from Chennai, covering about 800 km. He started the journey in July 1941 and reached the poverty-stricken backward village towards the end of that year, says H Vincent Kumaradoss, a former office bearer of the Church History AAssociation of India (CHAI) , who has written a biography of the Christian missionary from United Kingdom.
After reaching Madras in 1838 as a 24 year-old evangelist, Caldwell spend three years before setting out on the odyssey down south and choosing Idayankudi for his missionary work.
It was at that point that he lived in the small house, even as he was struggling to build the Holy Trinity Church in Idayankudi. It took Caldwell 33 years to build the church, which was consecrated in 1880.
Besides pre a ch i n g , Caldwell, who had graduated from the University of Glasgow, spend enormous time on linguistic research. In 1849 he published an ethnographic treatise on Shanars, the local community of people, and then in 1856 came out with a book on Dravidian grammar.
Besides coining the term ‘Dravidian’, he was the one who first who pointed out that the south Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada - had their origins outside the Indo-Aryan family and that they were distinctly different from Sanskrit.
Honouring the seminal work on Dravidian grammar, the DMK government headed by C N Annadurai installed a statue of Caldwell on the Marina during the second World Tamil Conference that was held in Madras in 1968.
The statue still stand hidden from public glare in a corner.
The shack became a proper house much later when the Idayankudi church congregation felt the need for a bigger accommodation for their pastor.
Caldwell vacated it only in 1882 to move into a Bishop bungalow in Thoothukudi.
The shack, whose both walls you could touch by stretching both hands, was subsequently converted into a parish hall, says Kumaradoss, whose book, Robert Caldwell - A Scholar- Missionary in Colonial South India, is perhaps the only biography of the man who devoted his entire life for the uplift of the backward region in Tamil Nadu, besides setting the tone for the later day Dravidian movement.
Caldwell died in 1891 and his body was interred beneath the chancelled floor of the Holy Trinity Church.
6 New Bishops for the Syro Malabar Church
Six new bishops have been announced for the Syro - Malabar Church of India. The names of these new bishops and their Sees were announced simultaneously from the Vatican and at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia, Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, Kochi. The names were announced also at the respective Diocesan Seats. The Dioceses of Palghat and Manathavadi have been bifurcated forming the Diocese of Ramanathapuram (Tamilnadu), and Mandya (Karnataka).
The following are the new bishops:
Remigius Inchakkananil (Bishop's Secretary and Chancellor and member of the Governing Body of the Christian Chair of the Calicut University) for Thamarassery in the vacancy created by Dr. Mar Paul Chittilappilly resigning;
Dr. Msgr. Bosco Puthur (at present Rector of the St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary of Alwaye and former Vicar General of Trichur) for the Major Archiepiscopal Seat of Kakkanad);
Dr. Pauly Kannookkadan (Director LRC and Secretary Liturgy Commission) for the Diocese of Irinjalakuda in the vacacy created by Mar James Pazhayattil resigning;
Dr. Paul Alappatt the former Chancellor of Trichur and at present Rector of the St. Mary's Madonna Seminary for the newly created Diocese of Ramanathapuram;
Dr. Msgr. Raphael Thattil the present Vicar General of Trichur as the Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur;
and Dr. George Njerelakkatt as the Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Mandya.
Other details will be announced later. [SARAS News]
The CBCI gives some more details:
New Eparchies of Ramanathapuram and Mandya created
NEW DELHI, Jan. 18, 2010, 16.30 Hrs (CBCI News):
His Beatitude Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop the of the Syro-Malabar Church, with the consent of the Synod of Bishops of the Syro- Malabar Church, having obtained the assent of the Holy See, has created the Eparchies of Ramanathapuram by carving out the civil districts of Coimbatore, Erobe, Karur and Thirueur from the Eparchy of Pal ghat, with its See and the Head-Quarters at Ramanathapuram and the Eparchy of Mandya by carving out the civil districts of Mandya, Haffan, Mysore and Chamaragnagar, from'" the Eparchy of Mananthavady, with the See and the Head Quarters at Mandya.
In the same time, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has giving his assent to the appointment of:
Reverend Monsignor Pauly Kannookadan, Secretary of the Archepiscopal Commission for Liturgy , Clergy , Institutes for Consecrated Life and Executive Director of L.R.C, as Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of lrinjalakuda
Reverend Monsignor Remigiose Inchananiyil, Secretary , Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of the Eparchy of Thamarassery , as Eparchial Bishop of the same diocese.
Reverend Monsignor Raphael Tbattil, Proto-Syncellus of the Archreparchy of Trichur, as Auxiliary Bishop of the same Archeparchy
Reverend Monsignor Bosco Putur, Rector of Mangalapuzha Seminary , as Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
Reverend Monsignor Paul Alappatt, Rector of St. Mary's Minor Seminary and Judicial Vicar of the Archeparchy of Trichur, as Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Ramanathapuram
Reverend Monsignor George Njaralakatt, Proto-Syncellus of the Eparchy of Bhadravathi, as Bishop of the new Eparchy ofMandya.
[These ecclesiastical provisions were made public on today the 18th of January, 2010 @ 1630 hrs. (IST), and were formally announced in L 'Osservatore Romano on today itself in Rome.]
Indian President Pratibha Patil, Vice Prez, Other Dignitaries
attend Christmas celebration at Rashtrapati Bhavan
The President of India recieives a present at the Christmas function in New Delhi.
The official residence of the President of India witnessed moments of Christmas cheer. There was a Christmas tree and Carols.
The Ashoka Hall in Rashtrapati Bhavan saw important dignitaries enjoying the Carols presented by troupes from the North East and Delhi itself.
In addtion to the President Pratibha Patil herself the Vice President Ahmed Ansari, the wife of Prime Minister Manhoman Singh Gursharan Kaur, Lok Sabha Speaker Meera Kumar and some cabinet Ministers were present.
The Programme featured carol singing by the Shillong Chamber Choir, Meghalaya; the Centenary Methodist Church, Delhi; Zowe Madrigal, Nagaland; St. Thomas Mar Thoma Syrian Church Choir, Delhi; Golden Jubilee Choir, Delhi; Mizo Minstrels Choir, Mizoram; Jesus and Mary College Choir, Delhi and Paranjoti Academy Chorus, Mumbai.
The Christmas Message was delivered by Archbishop of Delhi, Rev. Vincent Concessao.
Last year, the annual traditional programme was not held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in view of the terrorists’ attacks in Mumbai. The festivities were cancelled as a mark of respect for the victims of the attacks.
However, Rashtrapati Bhavan had sent grocery items such as Rice, Sugar, Dal and Ghee to orphanages in Delhi on behalf of the President.
The Christmas celebrations, last year, were also toned down in the wake of violence against Christians in Orissa and Karnataka.
Churches that anticipated huge turnout of pilgrims apparently were discouraged as less people turned up.
In Orissa, although there were no reports of violence, it was a gloomy Christmas for many. Still thousands are said to be living as refugees with lack of food and shelter.
Few of these victims on Dec. 25 will be joining a carol-singing programme at India Gate organised by the Delhi Archdiocese.
"Christmas carols will be sung by the victims of Kandhamal riots who would like to let the world know that Jesus' birthday is a good occasion to be reconciled with all and to share his message of love," said a note from the Archdiocese.
[Courtesy Christian Today India]
India Leads World In Women Religious
India led the world in the number of vocations to women’s Religious life in the Catholic Church, statistics show.
Asia and Africa made considerable gains in the number of female Religious since 2000, whileEurope, Americas and Oceania showed a downward trend, according to Jeff Mirus of Catholic Culture, who analyzed the statistics for the website.
In Asia, India recorded an increase of 9,398 women religious during 2002-2007 whileVietnamadded 2,545 more nuns.South Koreaand the Philippines increased by about 500.
Three Kerala-based congregations andBlessed Mother Teresa’sMissionaries of Charitywere among those showing an upward trend in world-wide scenario.
TheFranciscanClarist Congregation, the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel and the Sisters of theAdoration of the Blessed Sacramentcontinue to attract more members. Another rapidly growing congregation was the Claretian Missionary Sisters.
Major losers worldwide are theSalesian Sisters, the Order ofDiscalced Carmelites, theFranciscan Missionaries of Mary, theSisters of Charityof Saints Bartholomea Capitanio and Vincenzia Gerosa andBenedictine Nuns.
Upward trend was noticed all across Africa: Tanzania and theCongoincreased by around 1,500 whileNigeria, Madagascar,KenyaandAngolaadded 500 to 800 more nuns.
The Middle Eastand the Caribbean also have added more nuns. Women Religious increased in 99 nations since 2000, according to the analysis.
Unfortunately, their gains are not yet quite enough to offset the 4.6 percent decline among women Religious worldwide during 2002-2007.
Most losers are the Western nations. For example, Italy had 11,156 less nuns during 2002-2007. The United States came second, losing 10,454 nuns during the period.
Germany and France lost around 6,000 nuns each, followed by Canada andSpaineach had 4,000 less women Religious.Ireland,Belgiumand the Netherlands in Europe, Argentina, Brazil and Columbia have also lost nuns in hundreds.
Between 1965 and 1995, the United States had lost 49 percent of its female Religious, while the number dropped by 46 percent in Canada, 44 percent in France, 48 percent in German, 43 percent inGreat Britain, 51 percent in the Netherlands.
All together, there are about 750,000 women religious serving around the world, or approximately one nun for every 9,000 humans.
Charismatic Churches attractLutheran Youths in India
The enthusiasm and modern worship styles of charismatic churches are swaying away young Lutherans from parent churches.
“Youth are drifting away from their parent churches to charismatic churches,” as the latter offer worship styles that fit the young generation, said Ms Sofia M. Samuel from the India Evangelical Lutheran Church, at the Asia Pre-Assembly Consultation of the Lutheran World Federation.
Close to 100 delegates from many Asian countries have convened for the 6-9 Dec. Consultation in Bangkok, Thailand, to deliberate on the theme - “Give us today our daily bread".
In a plenary presentation apprising the urgent issues that must be addressed for the inclusion and participation of young people, Samuel urged for worship and church life to be made more relevant to young people's needs.
Says Samuel, young people are interested in being more actively involved, but they lacked initiative and encouragement from church leadership.
To tackle this, she called for orientation and training in church administration and management to prepare them for such responsibilities.
Meanwhile, presenting the LWF Asian region youth response, Rev. Sekino Kazuhiro from the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, stressed the need for giving spiritual guidance to youths for helping them get their daily material bread and meet their spiritual needs.
“Today, many young people are crying of physical hunger and of spiritual hunger,” said Kazuhiro, underlining the importance of gainful employment.
“However, many young people cannot get a job; the unemployment rate is too high,” he noted, citing the unemployment crises in countries such as Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan and Thailand.
“Sometimes they have to choose a job that is lower than what they are trained for and sometimes they don’t get a job at all,” noted Kazuhiro, who is a member of the LWF Council.
In his keynote address, LWF Vice President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan, called churches to speak out boldly about the underlying causes of hunger.
The prayer for daily bread, he said, “speaks to a deep existential fear that still plagues humanity today, as millions of mothers and fathers do not know how they will feed their children tomorrow.”
“It is a fear confirmed by the fact that 16,000 children die of hunger every day,” he added. [Courtesy Christian Today India]
Father Joseph Neuner, SJ, at 96 : A Retrospect from ExpressIndia
Father Joseph Neuner, SJ, 96 Fr Neuner is a renowned theology professor teaching at different theological institutes. Through his long life he has witnessed landmark events such as the two World Wars, the rise of Nazism and communism and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. Fr Neuner came to India and Pune due to an accident of fate - two others who had been appointed to be sent to Pune were not able to get the certificate of tropical fitness while Fr Neuner was able to do so. Neuner has written several books.
TREASURED TIMES: “Working in the service of Church life in India has always being my mission. I treasured the moments when I shared my insights on theology with the priests and parishes. I have been lucky to have been in close association with Mother Teresa and a committee member when preparatory steps had been taken in the process of beatification. Not only that, I was in close contact with Mother Anna Huberta in setting up the Helpers of Mary, a diocesan congregation of the Archbishop of Bombay, “ muses Fr Neuner.
A FULL DAY: Ask him what is his way of life today and he smiles. “By God’s grace, I do not suffer from any ailments. I spend time meeting with people who come to seek my spiritual guidance. I read books on the Church life from across the globe. I also write forewords and prefaces for books penned by theology scholars as well as letters to my Jesuit friends.”
His day starts at 5.30 am with prayers, followed by a walk. My meals are a typical Indian breakfast and lunch, while for dinner I prefer a bowl of soup with chappatis. My day ends at sharp ten pm.”
LONGEVITY LINES: ‘‘Life is immortal. It must be carried on in the service of humanity without thinking about dying,”he believes.
WISHES: To meet the new Pope when he is elected.
Jesuit Father Joseph Neuner, dead at 101, eulogized
by Thomas C. Fox on Dec. 07, 2009
Courtesey NCR Today
Jesuit Father Jesuit Father Joseph Neuner, spiritual advisor to Mother Teresa and probably the world’s oldest Jesuit, died Dec. 3 at 101 in Pune, India. Neuner, born in 1908 at Feldkirch in Austria, had been a Puneite since 1938. For many years, he taught theology at the city-based Jnana Deep Vidyapeeth. In the 1960s, Neuner served as an expert at the Second Vatican Council.
Janina Gomes, an NCR contributor and author of the recently published "Prayers from the Heart," (Pauline Publications @ Sister Bombay Society), wrote the following tribute.
IDEAL PRIEST
By Janina Gomes
If ever there was an ideal priest, I knew one. Father Joseph Neuner, who died at the ripe age of 101 years, sowed many seeds in his life and also reaped a spiritual harvest that is only possible for the faithful, humble and true servants of God.
I knew him for well over 30 years. As a friend, he saw me through the best and the worst, through moments of failure and moments of success. He wrote letters faithfully, even to those others had given up on, and I was one of them. I remember Fr. Richard De Smet, another Jesuit giant telling me that Neuner had an apostolate of letters. He wrote faithfully to those who needed spiritual direction and help in their lives.
A great theologian, who worked on documents for the Second Vatican no doubt, but his spirituality was practical and down to earth. I remember once writing to him about a bathroom leakage I had in my flat. When he visited next, he walked in and immediately asked to see the leakage. That must be what great theology is like, irretrievably linked to the daily and mundane details of life.
How did such a prolific priest who wrote regularly for, the Indian theological journal, Vidya Jyoti, in a series called ‘Listening to the Spirit’ get his originality and wisdom? When he was teaching theology at De Nobili College, he would everyday take a walk to the graveyard and meditate, most in touch with life by reflecting on death.
I remember the long walk he once took me on, the open maidan outside De Nobili. He was able to understand and resonate with the young as well as the old. I also remember the times I would meet him at Shradhha Vihar (He was founder of the Daughters of the Helpers of Mary and wrote their constitution.). He would share with me the special meals made for him by the nuns and be the generous host that he was.
Neuner was a walking marvel. He could walk from Bandra Station to my house and back, taking everything in his stride. When he had a fall and injured himself, once again it was the hardy, determined side of him that won over and gave him a longer lease of life. He was still exercising through most of the latter years.
He did present me with his memoirs which he wrote at the age of 90. But, his personality and person were much richer than a book could capture. He had a capacity to reason and analyze that would be the envy of many a scholar, but it was balanced by an earthy humaneness, compassion and quite strength.
I have a vivid memory of him in a bright yellow cotton checked shirt showing me the original rosary presented to him at his ordination, which he had tucked below his pillow.
The last I saw him was about a year ago still concelebrating mass from a wheelchair. Though he did not recognize people, he was still lucid in mind in many respects.
I once wanted to write a profile of him, but did not do it to his satisfaction and he was a little bit of a perfectionist in his work. What I could not do when he was alive, I am now attempting to do after his death- to pay tribute to a great soul and an ideal priest.
Josef Neuner
S.J. passed
away last
night (Dec.
3);
Funeral
today (Dec.
4)at Papal
Seminary,
Pune
Forwarded by
Srampikal, sj,
from Rome
4th December
2009
This is Fr. Noel
Sheth, S.J.
writing. I am at
present in
Manila, the
Philippines,
teaching a
course on
Buddhism at the
Ateneo de Manila.
I just got news
about the
passing away of
Fr. Josef
Neuner, S.J.
Please pass on
this news (see
below) to those
who knew
him. The death
of this renowned
theologian,
peritus of
Vatican II, and
one of the
pillars of
Jnana-Deepa
Vidyapeeth,
leaves a great
void in Pune, in
India and
the world.
Centenarian
Fr. Josef
Neuner,
S.J. passed away
last night (3rd
December, the
Feast of
St. Francis
Xavier,
Patron of India)
at the Pune
Provincial's
House, Sanjeevan
Ashram. His
funeral is at
4.30 p.m. today
in Papal
Seminary-Jnana-Deepa
Vidyapeeth. He
will be buried
in the Campus
Cemetery, in
accordance with
his wish to be
buried in the
place where he
spent most of
his life,
animating the
professors and
the
students, building
up the
Church in India
and
radiating his
influence
throughout the
world.
I thank God for
the gift of
Neuner to
Jnana-Deepa
Vidyapeeth, to
Pune, to India
and the world.
May he continue
to be an
inspiration to
all of us and in
this way live on
in our memories
and our deeds.
RIP
Noel Sheth,
S.J.--
Prof. Dr. Noel
Sheth, S.J.
Jnana-Deepa
Vidyapeeth
Pontifical
Institute of
Philosophy and
Religion
Ramwadi, Pune
411014,
India.
Tel.(Residence):
91-(0)20-41036237.
CHAI Southern India Branch 14th Triennial Conference
Thrissur Deepavali 2009
The CHAI SIB 14th Triennial commenced with a welcome procession in which the delegates and dignitaries assembled at the Archbishop's House Junction were ceremonially received and led to the venue of the Conference by the Caparisoned Elephant Unnikrishnan of the Thiruvambady Devaswom, one of the two Devaswoms most closely associated with the Thrissur Pooram Festival.
Invocation : Thamasorma Jyothir....
The CHAI SIB 14th Triennial Thrissur
DBCLC Hall 17th October, 2009.
Welcome Speech : Chev. Prof. George Menachery, General Conveneor of the Conference and CHAI Nat'l General Secretary. Dr. Thonippara and Dr. Thomas Edmunds are also in the picture.
Seated on the dais are (l to r) : Dr. Francis Thonippara (SIB Secretary cum Treasurer), Dr. "Cardinal " Thomas Edmunds (CHAI Nat'l Vice-President), Metropolitan Dr. Mar Aprem, Catholicos Elect Paulose Mar Milithios who inaugurated the Conference, Therambil Ramakrishnan MLA and former Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Dr. Oberland Snaitang (CHAI Nat'l President), Dr. P. Manesseh (SIB President), and Charls Dias MP (CHAI SIB Executive Committee Member).
Catholicos Elect Paulose Mar Milithios inaugurates the 14th SIB Triennial by lighting the bronze Nilavilakku. Second in the picture from the left is P. C. Chacko MP who presided over the function.
Delegate Gudrun Lowner with Unnikrishnan the caparisoned elephant.
Adv. Therambil releases the CHAI Thrissur Conference Souvenir
Dr. Thonippara toasts Charls Dias MP, our Exe. Com. member, newly nominated to the Lok Sabha by the President of India
New Delhi Pre-View Function of Volume III of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of इंडिया
PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE 14th CHAI TRIENNIAL SHILLONG 2009
And the Study Tour and Panel Discussion
Dr. Jose Kalapura:
Christianity and Marginalised Communites in India
Academic Session I
Moderator: Dr. Kranti K. Farias
Dr. Samuel Jayakumar:
Christianity as a Change Agent in Indian Society: Ministry of the Poor and Oppressed Chridren of India
Dr. Varghese Perayil:
Christianity and Dalit Liberation
Dr. Thomas Edmunds:
The Impact of Christian Charismatic Songs of Rev. Fr. S. J. Berchmans on the marginalised communities in Tamil Nadu, India : A Critical Study
Dr. P. C. Laltani:
Women as Marginalised Community within the Mizoram Presbyterian Church
Academic Session II
Moderator: Prof. George Menachery
Dr. Jeanette Pinto:
The Siddis of Karnataka: From Slaves to Scheduled Tribe
Dr. S. Santha Prabhuraj:
Missed Dei Marginalis : The Nilgaria: A Case Study
Dr. Charles Dias:
European Descendants in Kerala: A Discriminated Sect
Dr. John Alexander:
Christianity as a Factor in Stamping out of Head Hunting Practice in Nagaland
[Study Tour of Don Bosco Musem Guided by
Dr. George Maliekkal]
Academic Session III
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Edmunds
Dr. Gladson Jathanna:
Representation of Bhoota Worshippers of South Kanara in the Annual reports of Basel Missionaries (1834 - 1860)
Dr. D. Christin Das:
V. V. Thomas -Understanding Subaltern History
Dr. V. L. Hruaia Khiangte:
Analysis of Sources in the History of Christianity in Mizoram: A Critique from a Mizo Christian Perspective
Academic Session IV
Moderator: Dr. Vanlalchhuanawma
Dr. Joan Dias:
Folklore and Oral Tradition as an Expession of Progress and Development in South Gujarat
Dr. Alex Mathew:
The Role of Pratyaksha Reksha Daiva Sabha: Emancipation of Dalits w.s.r.t. Sri Kumaragurudevan
Prof. George Menachery:
Impact of the Christian Presence on the Situation of Women in 19th Century Kerala
Dr. Pratap Digal:
Khonds in Khondamal: Problems and Prospects
Academic Session V
Moderator: Dr. Francis Thonippara
Dr. N. Benjamin:
Up from Agricultural Backwardness - Life and Times of San Higginbuttom (1874 - 1958)
Dr. Kranti Farias:
Within Bounds No More: Christian Work with the Marginalised Communities of Maharashtra
Dr. Anto Florence:
Contribution of Christianity to Education
Dr. Cosme Jose Costa:
Apostolic Christianity in Goa
Panel Discussion:
Christianity in North East India : A Vision for the Future
Academic Session VI
Moderator: Dr. Jeanette Pinto
Dr. George Oommen:
Gandhi’s Early Christian Encounter
Sandeep Gaikwad:
Sale of Church Property in Mumbai &c. : Issues and Remedial Actions
Dr. John Alexander:
Christianity as a Factor in Stamping out of Head Hunting Practice in Nagaland
[Study Tour of Don Bosco Musem Guided by Dr. George Maliekkal]
Academic Session III
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Edmunds
Dr. Gladson Jathanna:
Representation of Bhoota Worshippers of South Kanara in the Annual reports of Basel Missionaries (1834 - 1860)
Dr. D. Christin Das:
V. V. Thomas -Understanding Subaltern History
Dr. V. L. Hruaia Khiangte:
Analysis of Sources in the History of Christianity in Mizoram: A Critique from a Mizo Christian Perspective
Academic Session IV
Moderator: Dr. Vanlalchhuanawma
Dr. Joan Dias:
Folklore and Oral Tradition as an Expession of Progress and Development in South Gujarat
Dr. Alex Mathew:
The Role of Pratyaksha Reksha Daiva Sabha: Emancipation of Dalits w.s.r.t. Sri Kumaragurudevan
Prof. George Menachery:
Impact of the Christian Presence on the Situation of Women in 19th Century Kerala
Dr. Pratap Digal:
Khonds in Khondamal: Problems and Prospects
Academic Session V
Moderator: Dr. Francis Thonippara
Dr. N. Benjamin:
Up from Agricultural Backwardness - Life and Times of San Higginbuttom (1874 - 1958)
Dr. Kranti Farias:
Within Bounds No More: Christian Work with the Marginalised Communities of Maharashtra
Dr. Anto Florence:
Contribution of Christianity to Education
Dr. Cosme Jose Costa:
Apostolic Christianity in Goa
Panel Discussion:
Christianity in North East India : A Vision for the Future
Academic Session VI
Moderator: Dr. Jeanette Pinto
Dr. George Oommen:
Gandhi’s Early Christian Encounter
Sandeep Gaikwad:
Sale of Church Property in Mumbai &c. : Issues and Remedial Actions
Communication for Proclamation
CICS - General Information - Director F. Jacob Srampickal, SJ
a. Introduction
The Centre for Interdisciplinary Communication Studies (CICS) was established at the Pontifical Gregorian University, with the purpose of "examining the problems and opportunities which mass communication offers for proclaiming the Gospel message and in general for theological and philosophical language," and thus being "of service to all Christian communities in their dialogue with the contemporary world." (Carlo Maria Martini, S.J., Opening Address for the Academic Year 1978-79, and repeated on February 28, 1981, when the CICS was instituted.)
b. A Vision of Communication Studies within the Church
The Gregorian is an ecclesiastical university, and so the primary aim of the CICS is to develop a vision for communication and media involvement in the Catholic Church as envisaged by the documents Inter Mirifica, Communio et Progressio, Aetatis Novae and others. The primary mission of the CICS is to train church leaders in communication through academic research in areas relevant to the church’s mandate in communication. The focus of the programme is three-fold: theological, philosophical and socio-cultural. The CICS promotes a research-oriented approach rather than a technical-equipment-related approach in all its training. Hence areas of study such as communication as communion, the philosophy of and theories of communication, theology and communication, the psychology and spirituality of communication, semiotics, ethics of the media, communication and development, cultural and group media, media aesthetics, media and religion, sociology of the media, etc are important. Besides giving the students basic technical know-how through hands-on training in all aspects of media production, the courses in pastoral communication, theology of communication, homiletics, training of the diocesan directors of communicators, are all aimed at directly aimed at serving the church’s mission.
The CICS plays an important role in preparing persons for leadership in communication in the church, including the training of professors of Communications in Catholic universities and seminaries, of directors of communication and of media offices on the diocesan level and for Episcopal conferences, and of educated and capable Catholic men and women who can play a crucial role in formulating communications and media policies in their own countries.
Many of our former students are now providing valuable services in these areas in various parts of the world.
Staffed by a group of international professors, CICS invites students from all over the world, who are trained to work meaningfully in various areas of communication in their country.
c. The Philosophy of the CICS programme
The Centre for Interdisciplinary Communications Studies envisages the development of clear perspectives on the complex reality of communication; with a mix of theory and research, it intends to adapt to the changing situations in and needs of the Church.
In fact, reaching beyond the confines of any specific local church or nation, communication studies in the CICS stresses the following three areas:
The importance of a cultural studies approach and a design and development of media to promote local cultures;
The importance of a participatory, community media approach;
The importance of developing media products which favour justice and democratization.
With these general goals as background, the CICS aims to help those preparing for administrative, planning and teaching positions in the communication work of the Church worldwide. It focuses on preparing future Church leaders, who understand the world and the Church and who think critically with the Church, enabling it to face the complex challenges generated by the explosion of media messages in the modern world.
The CICS programme of study concentrates on the impact of mass media on culture and on the consequences such impact has for proclaiming the Gospel in the contemporary world.
The programme therefore is articulated into four areas or dimensions:
The «theological-philosophical dimension»,
the «semiotic-cultural dimension»,
the «socio-cultural dimension»,
the «practical, pastoral dimension».
Taking its cue from the Church document, “Redemptoris Missio”, people trained in media in ecclesiastic universities must be “evangelisers of the media”.
The media products they create or develop must, along with a high level of professional expertise, demonstrate the following qualities:
be able to discern and promote the issue of human rights and of Christian values;
be able to move their viewers to influence communication policies for the welfare of society, they must be a “leaven, that spreads the hope of the gospel”;
give voice to the voice-suppressed, empower the weak, the marginalized, women, minorities, etc.
create awareness among people regarding the real issues in their society, without getting lost in the inevitable glamour and manipulation of the media world;
educate people to become watchdogs of democracy, contributing to the development of an egalitarian society;
be respectful of indigenous cultures, demonstrating a clear understanding of their uniqueness and richness.
As the Puebla document of the Church in Latin America emphasizes , "Media training must equip professionals to adopt a critical attitude toward the bombardments launched by the mass media and to counteract the impact of media’s alienating messages, whether ideological, cultural, or promotional."
May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself.
May I humbly request your Grace to go through the following and take appropriate action if thought fit.
In the circumstances obtaining among the NRK/NRI Syro-Malabar communities in many Indian and foreign cities the Nazranies hardly get any chance to get together or to maintain their identity. Hence one possibility is for them to celebrate the Ormapperunnal of our father St. Thomas the Apostle with at least a public procession inside the church campus or if possible outside it, with all the cultural elements of our Pradakhinams or church processions.
It could be any one of the four types of processions we have - 1.intra-church procession, 2.procession rounding the open-air cross (this won’t be possible in most cases outside Kerala), 3.procession around the church building or campus, or 4. procession along the streets or Angadies.
I have found how happy our people are to congregate on such occasions - whether in the Americas or Europe or the Middle East, especially in the US and the Gulf, and how proud our people are of our cultural traditions and individuality.. A Syro- Malabar Mass may be said where ( and only where) the local hierarch permits it. Otherwise it can be a well attended religio-cultural event to which there could be no objection from any quarter. Such a programme, I feel - and am convinced from experience in different parts of the world - could and will go a long way to unite our people and to hold them together in the memory of our heritage and roots. AND it could be a first step in many ways.
These Pradakhinams or processions must have as many of the following elements as possible: 1. A gold(en) processional cross with the red (or other) sheath. 2.Two silver(y) crosses with sheaths. 3.Many colourful parasols or umbrellas viz.Muthukkudas. 4. At least one processional Roopakkoodu to carry the image of St. Thomas &c. typically decorated. 5.Band sets and typical Kerala Vadyams and Melams including drummers. 6. Fancy fire-works where permissible. 7. Public and common preparation and distribution of Kozhalappam, Achappam, Unni Appam, Neyyappam, and other Syro-Malabar confectionaries.
May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself.
Thanking Your Grace,
Your Graces’ obedient servant,
Prof. George Menachery.
p.s.Establishing a Bahya Kerala - Bahya Bharata Diocese for agreeable areas at least must be another priority.
p.p.s. Could we think of a reserve team of priests willing to serve these communities from time to time on special occasions and to give them cultural experiences and guidance in the form of seminars, video fests, power-point talks &c. occasionally?
Prof. George Menachery elected General Secretary of CHAI (Church History Association of India)
SHILLONG, May 10
At the Church History Association of India (CHAI) Triennial General Body Meeting held at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) , Shillong, Prof. George Menachery was elected General Secretary of the Association for the next three years. He was working as national vice-president for the last three years.
Dr. O.L. Snaitang, Meghalaya (President), Rev. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmunds, Tamil Nadu (Vice- President), Dr. Agnes de’Sa, Maharashtra (Joint Secretary), S. Edathikavil, DVK, Karnataka (Treasurer), were also elected. Dr. Verghese Perayil (Aroor), Dr. George Oommen (Deradun) were the other members elected to the Board of Trustees, . Dr. A. M. Mundadan will continue as the Editor-in-Charge of the ongoing History of Christianity in India project while Dr. Joe Kalappura (Patna) was appointed editor of the CHAI Journal, Indian Church History Review (ICHR).
The 14th Triennial of the Southern India region will be held in Thrissur in October, 2009 while the 15th Triennial of the National Association and the Platinum Jubilee will be hosted by the Southern India Branch.
The Vice-Chancellor of the NEHU, Dr. Pramod Tandon inaugurated the meet, presided over by the President of CHAI, Dr. Kranthi Farias. The Key Note address was delivered by Dr. J. Kalappura, Secretary.
The NE regional president Dr. O. L. Snaitang, secretary and Registrar cum Controller of the NEHU Dr. David Syiemlieh were the main organisers of the meet at which more than 20 papers on the Theme of the Conference "Christianity and the Marginalised in India" were presented by scholars from every region of india.
The new office-bearers and members of the Board of Trustees of CHAI, the Church History Association of India elected at the Shillong Triennial. (From left to right):Dr. Varghese Perayil (Member of the BOT), Dr. Agnes de'Sa (Joint Secretary), Prof. George Menachery (General Secretary), Dr. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmonds (Vice - president), Dr. O. L. Snaitang (President), Fr. Sebastian Edathikkavil (Treasurer), Dr. George Oommen (Member BOT), and Dr. Jose Kalappura ( Editor, ICHR).
Some of the distinguished participants and delegates at the 14th Triennial of CHAI at Shillong.
ANNOUNCEMENT
14th CHAI Southern Branch Conference
My Dear CHAI SIB Members,
A General Gathering of the CHAI Southern Branch was held on May 5, 2009 at Shillong. It was decided to have the next CHAI Southern Branch Conference held at Trichur from the Afternoon of Saturday October 17th to the Afternoon of Monday October 19th, 2009 in the premises of the Archbishop’s House, Trichur. SIB members please note down the dates and make sure of your participation. Prof. Chev. George Menachery (Ollur, 680306. 09846033713, kunjethy@gmail.com) has already begun the local level planning of the Conference. Rev. Dr. Samuel Jayakumar will co-ordinate the scholarly papers to be presented at the Conference.
The main theme of the Conference will be: " Challenges and Prospects of Christianity in India Today". Those who are interested in presenting papers may contact: Rev. Dr. Samuel Jayakumar. 19/C (new No. 26), Appadurai Main Street, Ayanavaram, Chennai 600023, Tel.: 044- 26602134, 09445107984, revsjayakumar@yahoo.co.uk
Registration fee for the Conference (Rs. 300) may be sent to me by M.O. Early confirmation of your participation would be appreciated.
With warm regards,
Francis Thonippara
CMI, CHAI Southern Branch Secretary.080 41116230, 09480582973 fthonippara@dvk.in, president@dvk.in
Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara, CMI, President / Principal, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Pontifical Athenaeum of Philosophy, Theology, and Canon Law, Dharmaram College, Bangalore, 560029.
Archbishop Cyril Vasil New Secretary of Oriental Congregation
Congratulations of Indian Christianity to
Archbishop Cyril Vasil New Secretary of Oriental Congregation
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Jesuit Fr Cyril Vasil as the new Secretary of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Until now he has been Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute. The Holy Father has also appointed him titular Archbishop of Ptolemais in Libya.
Biography:
Fr Cyril Vasil, S.J., was born on 10 April 1965 in Košice, Slovakia. He attended the University of Bratislava's School of Theology from 1982 to 1987. He was ordained priest in 1987.
He entered the Society of Jesus on 15 October 1990 and was solemnly professed in 2001.
He earned a license in canon law (JCL) in 1989 and a doctorate (JCD) in 1994, both from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome.
In 2002 he was elected Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Canon Law and Pro-Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute. In May 2007 he was appointed Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute.
He is a consulter to the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. He attended the Synod of Bishops in 2005 as an expert. He is a visiting professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and the Universities of Bratislava and Trnava. In 2003 he was named spiritual counsellor to the International Union of the Guides and Scouts of Europe.
In addition to Slovak, he knows Latin, Italian, English, Russian, Ukrainian, French, German, Spanish, Greek and Old Church Slavonic.
He is the author of a number of books and articles and is a collaborator of the Vatican Radio.
Cordial and Personal THANKS of the the Editor and Christian Encyclopaedia Staff to Dear Fr. Matthew Elapanickal
On Monday, 20th April 2009 the inmates of Mount St. Thomas including the Major Archbishop Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil together with Their Graces Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, Mar Andrews Thazhath and Their Excellencies Mar Mathew Arackal, Mar Thomas Chakiath, and Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath and the Rev. Sisters belonging to the FCC, CMC and SABS Congregations who had rendered service at Mount St. Thomas and the distinguished guests and Rev. Fathers from the CMI Generalate, MST Media Centre, representative from CNEWA and others somehow connected with the ministry of Fr. Mathew Elappanickal at Mount St. Thomas gathered to bid him farewell during a lunch organized in his honour. Fr. Mathew Elappanickal having completed two terms of as the Finance Officer of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia handed over the reins of administration of the Curia to his successor Fr. Mathew Pulimoottil, from the eparchy of Thamarassery who was serving as the Director of the Pastoral Missionary Orientation Centre and the Procurator of START in the eparchy of Thamarassery. Fr. Antony Kollannur, the Chancellor and the newly appointed Superior of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia welcomed the guests. His Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil in his address summed up the sentiments of everyone present and said that Fr. Mathew Elappanickal has transformed Mount St. Thomas to a beautiful garden, to a family of love for the inmates and a home for anyone who visited it by his amazing hospitable nature. He presented Fr. Mathew with a bronze plaque as a memento of his meritorious service at the curia for the past ten years and wished him further success in his future ministry. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Bishop Mathew Arackal and Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath and Sr. Teresitta, the mother superior of the SH Convent at Mount St. Thomas acknowledged the great service of Fr. Elappanickal and gave expression to the deep gratitude each one of them and the entire Syro-Malabar Church owed to Fr. Mathew Elappanickal. Fr. Mathew Pulimoottil, the newly appointed finance officer introduced himself and assured the gathering that he would be at the service of the Church in this new office with total dedication and commitment. In his reply, Fr. Mathew Elappanickal thanked the gathering for the fine words and expressed his satisfaction that he could serve the Church effectively for the last 10 years as the Finance Officer of the Curia. Fr. Pauly Kannookadan, the Executive Director of LRC, was the Master of Ceremonies and gave the vote of thanks. Fr. Mathew Elappanickal will assume his new office (which is yet to be disclosed) by the middle of May. We wish him continued success in his future ministry in the Archeparchy of Kottayam.
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly has been elected new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) today at Jamshedpur.
Also, Archbishop of Bombay and President of CCBI (Latin Rite) Cardinal Oswald Gracias has been elected as the First Vice President, Major Archbishop of Trivandrum Moran Mor Baselios Mar Cleemis Catholicos as the Second Vice President and Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes re-elected as Secretary General.
80-year cardinal Vithayathil is presently head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Cardinal Vithayathil was born on 29th May 1927 of Thresiamma and Justice Joseph Vithayathil at North Parur, had his school education at North Parur and Thiruvanathapuram, and his college education at University College Thiruvanathapuram, and St. Joseph College, Trichy.
Joining Redemptorist Order, Varkey Vithayathil professed as its member on 2nd August 1947, and after completing his studies in Philosophy and Theology he was ordained Priest on 12 the June 1954.
In 1955 he went to Rome for his studies in common law at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) from where he took doctorate in 1959 on “The Origin and Progress of the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy”.
After coming back from Rome, Dr. Varkey Vithayathil served as professor of Canon Law for about 25 years at the Redemptorist Major Seminary, Bangalore.
In 1972 he took his Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Karnataka University. He also taught different subjects in several other Seminaries in Bangalore. He served as the Provincial Superior of the Redemptorist Order from 1978 to ’84, and as president of the CRI from 1984 to ’85.
Rev. Dr. Varkey Vithayathil was nominated Titular Bishop of “Antinoe” and the Apostolic Administrator of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church and of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. He was consecrated bishop in Rome by Pope John Paul II on 6th January 1997.
He assumed charge of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church and of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly on 18th January 1997.
On 23rd December 1999 Pope John Paul II appointed Mar Varkey Vithayathil as the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and as the Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly.
His installation as the Major Archbishop took place at St. Mary’s Basilica, Ernakulam on 26th January 2000.
His Holiness Pope John Paul II nominated Mar Varkey Vithayathil a member of the College of Cardinals on 21st January 2001. In the consistory on 21st February he was raised to the dignity of a Cardinal.
He is a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts and of the Pontifical Council for the promotion of unity of Christians.
Palayur
pilgrimage
held
(Indian
Expess)
THRISSUR:
Thousands
of
faithful,
priests
and
nuns
took
part
in
the
pilgrimage
to
St
Thomas
Forane
Church
at
Palayur
near
Guruvayur,
on
Sunday.
The
faithful
from
Thrissur
town
and
nearby
areas
covered
the
31-km
distance
from
the
town
by
walking.
The
annual
pilgrimage
to
Palayur,
considered
as
the
cradle
of
Christianity
in
the
state,
is
being
organised
for
the
past
12
years
by
the
Thrissur
Archdiocese
as
part
of
sacrifice
during
the
Lent
season.
Delhi
Archbishop
Vincent
Concessao
inaugurated
the
pilgrimage
at
St
Thomas
Forane
church,
Palayur,
in
the
afternoon.
Archbishop
(Emeritus)
Mar
Jacob
Thoomkuzhi
presided
over
the
function.
Thrissur
Archbishop
Mar
Andrews
Thazhath
welcomed
the
gathering
A
scholarly
tome
onChristianity
in
India
Staff
Reporter
THRISSUR:
The
third
volume
of
Saint
Thomas
Christian
Encyclopaedia
of
India
(STCEI)
which
is
scheduled
to
be
published
shortly,
throw
light
on
various
subjects
including
Christianity
in
India,
Hinduism,
Christianity
and
Sankaracharya,
Shaiva
Siddhantha
and
Islam,
says
George
Menachery,
the
editor
of
the
encyclopaedia.
STCEI
is
considered
an
authoritative
workfor
reference
on
India
in
general
and
Christianity
in
particular,
says
Mr.
Menachery.
It
contains
articles
contributed
by
renowned
archaeologists,
anthropologists,
historians,
educational
experts,
lexicographers
and
biographers.
The
first
volume
of
the
encyclopaedia
was
published
in
April
1973
in
connection
with
the
1900th
death
anniversary
of
Saint
Thomas,
the
Apostle
of
India.
The
first
volume
was
about
the
origin,
growth
and
development
of
Christianity
in
India.
The
second
volume
was
brought
out
in
1982.
The
Thomapedia,
an
enlarged
millennium
edition
of
the
early
volume,
was
also
published
in
2000.
STCEI
had
been
described
by
noted
reviewers
as
monumental
work
containing
significant
information
on
India,
Mr.
Menachery
says.
Thousands
of
its
copies
have
been
sold
the
world
over
and
leading
libraries
have
subscribed
to
it.
[The
HINDU,
3
March
2009]
KCBC
Awards
2008:
Prof.
George
Menachery
awarded
the
Darshanika
Vyjnanika
Award
Kochi:
A.
K.
Puthussery
has
won
the
literary
award
instituted
by
the
K.C.
B.
C.
Media
Commission.
Prof.
George
Menachery
has
won
the
Mar
Mankuzhikkari
philosophical
award.
Fr.
Geo
Payyappilly
and
Elizabeth
Raju
won
the
media
and
young
talent
awards,
respectively.
[The
Hindu].
Malayala
Manorama
and
Deepika
add:
The
Kerala
Catholic
Bishops'
Council's
Media
Awards
2008
have
been
announced.A.
K.
Pudussery
bagged
the
Media
Award
for
his
contributions
in
the
fields
of
the
Novel
and
the
Drama.Prof.
Chev.
George
Menachery
was
selected
for
the
Mar
Mankuzhikkary
Darshanika
Vyjnanika
Award.
Fr.
Geo
Payyappilly
obtained
the
Media
Award
while
singer
Elizabeth
Raju
was
chosen
for
the
Young
Talent
Award.
Rev.
Dr.
Jacob
Kattakkal,
O.
V.
Raphael,
Prof.
Thomas
Kaniyanplavan,
Varghese
Kanjirathingal,
and
Abraham
Pattani
were
selected
for
the
Guru
Pooja
Awards.
A
judging
committee
consisting
of
the
Chairman
of
the
KCBC
Media
Commission
Dr.Mar
Thomas
Chakiath,
Dr.
George
Irumpayam,
Dr.
Cherian
Kuniyanthodath,
Dr.
Primus
Perincherry,
and
K.C.B.C.
Media
Commission
Secretary
Fr.
Joseph
Nicholas
decided
the
awards.
The
awards
will
be
bestowed
at a
function
to
be
held
at
the
POC
auditorium,
Ernakulam
on
the
25th
of
January,
2009.
Prof.
George
Menachery
is
the
Chief
Editor
of a
number
of
reference
works
including
the
St.
Thomas
Christian
Encyclopaedia
of
India,
Indian
Church
History
Classics
(The
Nazranies),
the
Thomapedia,
and
the
works
in
progress
Ayurveda
Encyclopaedia
of
India,
and
the
Encylopaedia
of
the
Arabian
Sea.
Noted
historian,
archaeologist,
numismatist,
and
geographer
Prof.
Menachery
was
in
the
UAE
and
Oman
for
the
past
several
months
researching
on
his
latest
publications.
Prof.
George
Menachery
Sapthathy
Sangeetha
Seminar
and
Conference
Prof. G.
Menachery
Sapthathi
Sangeetha
(Musical)
Seminar
being
inaugurated
by Prof.
George
S. Paul
the well
known
art
critic
and
writer
at the
Kerala
Sahitya
Academy
Campus.
Seated
from
left to
right
are: M.
D.
Madhavan
Namboodiri
(Ch.
Editor,
Sangeetham,
Kozhikode)
[who
gave a
Chitra-Swara
presentation
of
Kumaran
Asan'n
Veena
Poovu in
which
Sri
Namboodiri
accompanied
forty
Veena
Poovu
paintings
of
Francis
Kodankandath
with his
musical
recital
of the
entire
classicaql
poem]:
reputed
educationist
and
cultural
leader
Sri
Chitran
Nampoodiripad
(who
presided);
Dr. Mar
Aprem
Metropolitan
of the
Church
of the
East
(who
delivered
the Key
Note
Address);
Dr. Paul
Poovathingal
(who
gave a
classical
concert
and
spoke on
Voco-System
in
Classical
Music);
Prof.
Balakrishnan
(former
principal
of the
Sree
Kerala
varma
College
and
reputed
vocalist
who gave
the
Invocation
Song;
Prof. A.
M.
Francis
the
Principal
of the
St.
Thomas'
College
(who
welcomed
the
audience);
and
Prof.
V.P.Jones
the
working
Chairman
of the
Prof.
Menachery
Sapthathi
Samithi
who was
also the
M. C. on
this
occasion.
Picture
TWO:
Artist
Punachitaya
gives a
demonstration
in
connection
with the
Sapthathi
Historico-Cultural
EXPO on
another
day.
months
back he
had
inaugurated
the
Menachery
Sapthathy
Painters'
Workshop
attended
by 40
odd
artists
from all
over
South
India at
the St.
Thomas'
College
and the
Archdiocesan
Family
Apostolate
Complex
presided
over by
Sri
Madanan,
Ch.
artist
at the
Mathrubhoomi,
Calicut..
Pic.
THREE:
Live
Sapthathy
demonstration
by
Artist
Francis
Kodenkandath
in the
Academy
Complex:
He
painted
a
Jubilee
Commemoration
Montage
in 55
minutes
in which
he
represented
M. T.
Vasudevan
Nair's
Naalukettu,
Vykkom
Muhammed
Basheer's
Bhargavee
Nilayam,
and
Kumaran
Asan's
Veena
Poovu to
commemorate
the
Jubilee
Celebrations
connected
with
these
great
sons of
Kerala
and
pioneers
in
Malayalam
Literature.
The demo
was
followed
by a
two-hour
discussion
in which
some of
the
leading
artists
and
literary
critics
of
Kerala
participated.
Prof.
G.
Menachery
Sapthati
Historico-Cultural
EXPO
2008
Bestowing
"Ponnada"
on
Prof.
George
Menachery
by
Sri
Therambil
Ramakrishnan
M.L.A.
and
former
Speaker
of
the
Kerala
Assembly during
the
inauguration
of
the
Sapthathi
Historico-Cultural
Expo
2008
at
the
Kerala
Sahitya
Academy
Complex.
Sri
M.
V.
Devan
inaugurated
the
Expo
at a
function
presided
over
by
Vice-Chancellor
of
the
Kerala
Kala
Mandalam
Dr.
K.
G.
Paulose.
Dr.
Raphael
Thattil,
V.
G.,
Archdiocese
of
Trichur
felicitated.
Two
Professors
from
the
Krakov
University
of
Poland
are
also
seen
discussing
aspects
of
Kerala
Culture
with
Prof.
Menachery.
Vatican City, Oct 12: India got its first woman saint when Pope Benedict XVI canonised Kerala nun Sister Alphonsa at a special ceremony at St Peter's Square in the Vatican City on Sunday. Watched by over 5,000 Indian Christians who came here for the historic ceremony from India and other parts of the world, the Pope declared Sister Alphonsa a saint, after reading excerpts from the Holy Bible.
The Pope himself read out the biography of Alphonsa after the ceremony.
Sister Alphonsa had been "an exceptional woman, who today is offered to the people of India as their first canonised (woman) saint," the Pope said.
She had lived in "extreme physical and spiritual suffering," the Pope said. She "was convinced that her cross was the very means of reaching the heavenly banquet prepared for her by the Father."
The Pope also used the occasion to express his concern over the violence against Christians in states like Orissa and Karnataka.
"I urge the perpetrators of violence to renounce these acts and join with their brothers and sisters to work together in building a civilisation of love," the Pope said in his concluding speech after canonising Sister Alphonsa and three others -- Maria Bernarda Butler from Switzerland, Narcisa de Jesus Marlillo Moran from Ecuador and Father Gaetano Errico from Italy.
"As the Christian faithful of India give thanks to God for their first native daughter to be presented for public veneration, I wish to assure them of my prayers during this difficult time," he said in his speech which was televised internationally.
Sister Alphonsa's "heroic virtues of patience, fortitude and perseverance in the midst of deep suffering remind us that God always provides the strength we need to overcome every trial", the Pope said.
"I invite prayers for reconciliation and peace in situations which provoke alarm and great suffering," he said. Many priests and guests who attended the ceremony at the St Peters Square said it was a great day for them particularly when Christians have been targeted in certain states in the country.
After her canonisation, sister Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception has become the first woman from India to be conferred sainthood and the second Roman Catholic from country after Gonsalo Garcia, who was conferred the honour in 1862.
A 15-member official Indian delegation, led by Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, attended the ceremony. A Catholic delegation comprising a number of Cardinals and Bishops from the country, including members from the Syro-Malabar, Latin and Malankara churches of Kerala were also present on the occasion.
Other members included Kerala Public Works Department minister Mons Joseph, P C Thomas MP, former Kerala Finance Minister K M Mani, MLAs P C George and K V Thomas, former Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob and Mahatma Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Jancy James.
Church sources say that elevation of Sister Alphonsa as a saint is of special significance to Indian Christians as she is a 'home-grown' person born and brought up in the 2000-year old Syrian Christian traditions of Kerala.
Sister Alphonsa, who lived a quiet religious life helping people around her place in Kerala, was hailed for a number of miracles, including two which were officially put up to the Pope.
One of the miracles attributed to her related to the healing of a young boy's twisted feet after his family prayed at her tomb at the Alphonsa Chapel at Bharananganam near Kottayam.
The beatification process, the last formal step before sainthood, of Sister Alphonsa began in 1996 by Pope John Paul II, who had declared her a 'Blessed Servant of God', when he visited India.
According to Indian church history, the first Indian person to become a Catholic saint was Gonzalo Garcia, a Jesuit born in Vasai near Mumbai. He died a martyr at Nagasaki in Japan in 1597 and was raised to the status of a saint in 1862.
Sister Alphonsa was third in the number of four saints canonised on Sunday. Gaetano Errico, born October 19, 1791, in Italy was canonised first. The second was Mary Bernard, born in Switzerland on May 28, 1848. The third was Sister Alphonsa.
Narcisa De Jesus Martillo Moran, born in 1832 in Ecuador, was the fourth to be canonised.
Celebrations
Bells rang and firecrackers burst across Kerala and in other parts of India as soon as the Pope declared the Roman Catholic nun a saint. The nun can now be worshipped by the followers of Christianity.
The canonisation ceremony was telecast live from the Vatican.
Special masses were held in all Catholic churches in the state, where Saint Thomas, one of the 12 apostles, is believed to have arrived in 52 AD, bringing Christianity to India.
"It is a very important event and a big recognition for a woman born in a simple, ordinary Indian family," Orissa Archbishop Raphael Cheenath said.
"It's a matter of immense pride for us since one of our believers is being bestowed with the sainthood. It will strengthen the church in the country," Father Dominic Vechoor, chancellor of Palai diocese, where she was a nun from 1927 till her death in 1946, said prior to the canonisation.
The Central government announced yesterday that it will issue a commemorative coin in honour of Sister Alphonsa.
Christians make up 2.3 percent of India's billion-plus population, with Roman Catholics accounting for 70 percent of the minority that is largely concentrated in the country's South and Northeast.
Take Action Now: points to include in your email (see below – You Can Help)
Express your horror at the atrocities committed against the Christian community in Orissa and neighbouring states and the failure of the Indian authorities to take timely and effective action end these gross human rights abuses.
Ask for assurance that immediate and effective measures will be taken to end the attacks and to bring to justice those responsible for the reported murders, rapes and arson of homes, shops, schools, orphanages and churches.
Express deep concern at reports that local police have ignored some of the crimes being committed and have failed to carry out investigations into the crimes when the victims are Christians.
Ask specifically about what steps have been taken to investigate the murders of Pastor Akbar Digal, Pastor Samuel Nayak of Bakingia, Kandhamal, Pastor Matthew Naik from Kanbagiri, seven month pregnant Kamalini Naik and her one year old son from Kandhamal district and Pastor Gopana Naik from Badimunda and to bring those responsible to justice.
Ask what investigation has been conducted into the attack on four nuns of the Missionaries of Charity who were travelling on a train from Raipur to Indore on 5 September that resulted in the nuns being severe injuried.
Ask what investigation is being conducted into the murder of a young woman, Rajni Majh, who was burned to death by a mob on 25 August at the orphanage where she worked.
Ask that the Indian authorities take immediate and effective action to provide all necessary support to people who have been forced to flee their homes to ensure their health and well-being and to provide them with adequate compensation to rebuild their homes.
Ask that relief agencies and Indian churches be allowed free access to provide humanitarian relief to those who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the persecution they have been subjected to
ARCHBISHOP
ANDREWS THAZHATH
OF TRICHUR ALONG
WITH ABP.
EMERITUS JACOB
THOOMKUZHY
CONFERS
PONTIFICAL
EQUESTRIAN ORDER
OF SAINT GREGORY
THE GREAT ON
PROF. GEORGE
MENACHERY
THRISSUR
[Palayur] –
Archbishop Mar
Andrews Thazhath
on behalf of
Pope Benedict
XVI knighted
Prof. George
Menachery and
the playwright
C. L. Jose with
The Equestrian
Order of Saint
Gregory the
Great on Sunday
March 9, at the
ancient Palayur
church during
the Palayur Maha
Theerthadanam in
honour of St.
Thomas the
Apostle of
Christ attended
by more than
55000 faithful
followed by the
Eucharistic
Celebration.
While Mar
Thazhath
decorated Prof.
Menachery with
the official
insignia of the
Pontifical
Order, the
inscription of
the Secretary of
State was
presented by Mar
Jacob Thoomkuzhy
and a laudatory
speech was made
by Catholicos
Mar Cleemis,
Archbishop of
Trivandrum. The
investiture
comes at the end
of a yearlong
celebration
honoring the
70th birth
anniversary or
Sapthathi of
Prof. George
Menachery. Prof.
Menachery made a
suitable
response.
Through
the
past,
clearly
For George Menachery, exploring the history of Christians in India, particularly in Kerala, is a passion that
has grown with him. In a chat with K. A. Martin, he discusses some of the issues and instruments in his research.
THAT PEOPLE in India lack a sense of history is received wisdom. We are still not too sure of the age of Kalidasan or Ezhuthacchan. Neither do we know much of Alexander's India invasion from Indian sources.
Is this reason enough to believe that our predecessors missed the significance of their life and times? No, says George Menachery, a path-breaking researcher whose amateur interest in the history of Christians in India, particularly in Kerala, grew into a passion and set new standards of scholarship in the discipline.
He feels that it is because of a keen sense of history that our ancestors indulged in selective amnesia. They remembered and left to posterity only what they wanted to be remembered. The rest is (not) history. They now come in a baggage we call the `dark areas'.
Menachery had more interesting things to say and more cogent arguments to put forward on history as we sat across a table at St. Thomas Mount, Kakkanad, where he was instrumental in setting up a Christian museum.
Museums like the one at Kakkanad has been his prime weapon in an attempt to recreate the past as well as to keep alive the new generation's interest in its traditions.
So far, Menachery has had a free run setting up several museums across the State. The first was the Christian Cultural Museum in Thrissur in 1980. Later, he also set up a museum at Palayoor which has recently been expanded.
He had firmed up the idea of the museum as the carrier of a sense of history at the first World Malayalam Congress in 1977 in which he was in charge of the Christian stall at the Kanakakunnu palace premises. A. L. Basham was among the visitors who spent several hours at the stall, he recalls. Menachery is now busy giving the final touches to the third volume of `St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia', the first volume of which came out in 1973.
`Thomapaedia', as it has come to be called, was intended as a single volume on the history and culture of Christians in Kerala. As the work progressed, its scope was expanded as the materials available swelled. It would now be completed in four volumes with over 300 photographs.
He says that several doctoral theses have been written by students in various parts of the world relying mostly on Thomapaedia.
`The Nazranies', edited by him and the first volume of which is out is expected to run into three volumes. It will be a ready reckoner for any researcher.
More than three decades of research has brought him recognition and respect. It was none other than M. G. S. Narayanan who heaped praises on `Thomapaedia' when it was first published. Kerala History Congress has recently honoured Menachery with the Joseph Nedumkandam Award.
The scope of Menachery's historical research makes it impossible for us to cast him in any other role. That he retired as the head of the department of English at St. Thomas College, Thrissur, may be a quirk of a chance.
And, it is a measure of his success that even the church hierarchy which often seems a little too preoccupied with the present, fell to his ceaseless energy and keen mind as he endeavoured to provided a new perspective to research in church history. In the process, Menachery has carried the day and assured himself of a place in history.
Picture
/ Photo
Gallery
Here are
some
Early
Christian
pictures
and
photos
from
Kerala
India
WOOD
WORK IN
KERALA
CHURCHES By
PROF.
GEORGE
MENACHERY
WOOD WORK IN KERALA CHURCHES
Kerala's forest wealth has been praised by local poets of the Sangham era (first centuries BCE / CE) and by foreign travellers from time immemorial. Perhaps the workmanship of Kerals's wood craftsmen excels wood carving found in almost every State of India and every country in the world, including African and Scandinavian countries. The teakwood of Kerala as well as such timbers as Rosewood, Irumul, Royal wood of Kerala forests have enjoyed world fame for many millennia.
The wood carvings of Malabar Churches are more abundant, more varied, and even often more artistic than similar works in other edifices…especially because even when the Hindu temples began to be influenced by the rock culture of mainland India the Churches mostly continued with their tradition of wood carving. The altars and altarpieces (reredos), Pushpakkoodus (rostra or pulpits), the ceilings and balconies, railings, statues, and Roopakkoodus … all display the highest achievements of the wood carver and the carpenter.
Here are some examples of woodcarving photographed by H.C.Q. Brownrigg of London- of the BACSA). These are from the Church at Kottarakkara.Mr. Brownrigg has taken a large number of photographs and slides dealing with the Kerala churches and has given a number of talks on the same. Read about the Kottarakkara church pictures in his own words:
Dear Professor Menachery,
It was a great pleasure for me to visit you in Ollur and see the Menachery family `mana'. Thank you also for showing me round St. Anthony's, which is one of my favourite Kerala churches. Lastly, thank you for `Glimpses of Nazraney Heritage', which I read on the journey home and found enjoyable and extremely informative on a number of subjects. I also read the book edited by Bosco Puthur, in which MGSN expands on his points about Nambudiri migration.
Enclosed are copies of the photographs which I took at the Mar Thoma church in Kottarakkara. ( I am rather proud to have found a church which you have not already visited ! ) What put me into it was a passage in the travel book written almost a hundred years ago by Mrs. E. Hatch in which she describes the church as being in a ruined condition but with fine carvings and beams. Since then it has twice been rebuilt, but one long beam is preserved in the porch. It has eight protruding blocks, of which four have figurative panels. I am not sure what the subjects are.
One looks as if it might be the Annunciation, while another looks like the Weighing of Souls on the Day of Judgment. Incidentally, is the motif underneath these carvings what, in Glimpses, you call an ` Indian Cross ' ? Have you any idea where it originates? It seems half way between being a cross and a more decorative motif like the lotus.
I did not see any sign of an inscription, but one would need to go up on a ladder to look properly. Perhaps it might be worth writing to the priest.
Lastly, in the churchyard there is a deepastambha but without any deepas! Is it just a cenotaph?
I hope to find an excuse to return to Kerala later this year or early next, when I hope we can meet again. Incidentally, a paper based on my talk at Changanasseri is supposed to be being published in the Journal of South Indian History. Since it was written as a talk illustrated with numerous slides I fear that it will be rather hard to understand when only illustrated with a small number of photographs. Have you heard anything about (the persons who organized that Seminar) They all seemed to disappear without trace!
With Best Wishes
H. C. Q. Brownrigg
THE
ROCK
CROSSES
OF
KERALA
CHURCHES By
PROF.
GEORGE
MENACHERY
OLLOOR CHURCH CROSS
This is the pedestal of the stone cross in granite [rock] in front of the Ollur Church which is the oldest church in the Thrissur Corporation area. But the Ollur Church is less than 300 years old whereas there are more than a hundred churches which are 400 years or more old in Kerala. And there are dozens of exquisitely carved open air rock crosses or Nazraney Sthambams in front of many of these ancient Kerala Christian places of worship, e.g. at Kottekkad, Enammavu [now in the Trichur Archieparcal Residence, where it was shifted from the Lourdes Cathedral Christian Cultural Museum that was estd. in 1980 - discovered by this writer in 1980 at Enammavu from a mud deposit] Mapranam, Puthenchira, Parappukkara, Veliyanad, Kalpparambu [the last discovered by this writer in the mud deposits] Koratty, Angamaly [one each in front of the three churches - the Western church cross, 27ft. tall- has been exactly reproduced in front of the Kakkanad Mount St. Thomas St. Thomas Christian Museum], Kanjoor, Malayattoor, Udayanperur, Kuravilangad,Uzhavoor,Chungam,Kaduthuruthy [2 Nos.], Muttuchira, Kudamaloor, Niranam, Kothamangalam, Chengannur, Thumpamon, Chathannur, Changanacherry [the base of the second cross was discovered by this writer in the Changanacherry cemetery], and many other places.
These crosses have four members: the base with a socket often fixed on a huge pedestal (see pic), the huge monolithic shaft with cylinder-like projections at both ends, the arm with sockets above and below, and the capital which forms the fourth arm of the cross with a cylinder arrangement at the bottom. All these crosses rise from the lotus carved at the top of the base member termed the Pookkallu. Many of these crosses have exquisite carvings and sculptures esp. on the four sides of the pedestal, and in rare cases on the shaft as the Adam, Eve, and the Serpent on the Chengannur Obelisk Cross. Like the Egyptian Obelisks the cross is a ray of the sun - Horus or Christ.
PEDESTAL OF CHANGANCHERRY ROCK CROSS
PEDESTAL OF ANGAMALY ROCK CROSS
MALABAR CHRISTIANS OF ANCIENT DAYS By PROF. GEORGE MENACHERY
[For YOUR EYES ONLY is a recently started LOL Series which would carry interesting pictures and illustrations which throw some useful light on St. Thomas Christian history, culture, customs, manners representing every church and denominations of Syrian Christians. Prof. George Menachery who is a renowned scholar with vast research experience in Thomas Christian traditions and history organizes this Series.]
MALABAR CHRISTIANS OF ANCIENT DAYS
The very costumes and ornaments of the Thomas Christians indicate - at least used to indicate until very recent times - their deep Spirituality and commitment to the Gospel message. What the Bible speaks of the deportment of women is fully satisfied in the dress of Syrian Christian women of Kerala; it is a costume where beauty meets modesty. Allow me to quote (the late) Mrs. K. M. Matthew from the 1973 St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia: "The costumes they wear are worthy of special note which in many ways resemble those of the high caste Hindu women. A white cloth-length 51/2 yards by 12/2 yards [Mundu} is folded into a Pudava which is again folded into fan like pleats. This fan like arrangement, which is highly artistic completely, covers the back portion of the woman when she wears the cloth. ... The upper portion of the body including the belly and the arm is completely covered with the loose blouse-like Kuppayam or Chatta. Going to the church they cover themselves from head to foot with a nice white cloth, when only the face will be visible. This dress is fully in keeping with the modesty and nobility of the Syrian Christian women. Naturally this dress is not meant to kill, the whiteness representing purity and chastity."
Again this is what Dr. J. Kolengadan has to say in the same Encyclopedia: "...the fan like appendage behind render their dress highly modest as well as artistically elegant...As they went out to church they had a veil like outer garment, with gold brocade, reaching to the ground showing nothing but the face..." The costume of the Syrian Christian women of Kerala does what the Purdah does but without its ugliness, unhealthy anonymity and abuses. Unfortunately today one has to watch the obituary columns of Malayalam newspapers to come across this unique costume - cry, the beloved country. D. Ferroli has this on the costumes of the Syrian Christians: " The mundu [of men] is fastened round the waist and reaches down to the heels. A towel is thrown over the shoulders...". "Except those who kept celibacy and those who had gone on a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Thomas at Mylapore, all kept long hairs tied up in a bundle..."(Placid, Thomapedia, p.107>f,g.)
MALABAR CHRISTIAN COUPLE
WCC
News
Upcoming events
08.08.07 -
14.08.07
Intra-Christian
consultations on
conversion and
Christian
self-understanding
Toulouse, France
Photo : Jenny
Bolliger, EAPPI,
janvier 2007.
Christians
from various
denominations
and theological
traditions - the
WCC
constituency,
the Roman
Catholic Church,
Evangelical and
Pentecostal
churches - will
be meeting in
Toulouse from
8-12 August to
discuss ways
“Towards an
ethical approach
to conversion –
Christian
witness in a
multi-religious
world”. This
includes a
self-critical
appraisal of
Christian
missionary
activities to
date. The
consultation on
conversion is
directly
followed by
three days of
reflection on
“Religious
plurality and
Christian
self-understanding”.
The first
consultation is
part of the 2006
to 2009 process
towards a code
of conduct on
conversion, for
which the WCC
and the Vatican
are jointly
responsible. The
process is both
enriched by and
contributing to
the parallel
efforts of a
WCC-initiated
multifaith
expert group
“Thinking
Together”.
The second
meeting is
dedicated to the
fundamental
challenge of how
to articulate
the appropriate
theological
questions in
relating to
other religions.
In so doing, it
follows up on a
document on
Christian
self-understanding
prepared for a
2005 Conference
on World Mission
and Evangelism.
Previous News
22.06.07 -
01.07.07
Bangalore, India
Young adults
from India,
Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Nepal
and Sri Lanka
will be meeting
at the Fireflies
Ashram in
Bangalore to
reflect on the
role of religion
and religious
identity in a
context of
tension and
communalism.
[The Third
International
Conference
Seminar on
Early
Christianity
in India and
the Middle
East is
being held
in Amman,
Jordan in
September
2008, 13th
to 20th. The
Middle East
Council of
Churches is
actively
collaborating
in this
effort with
The
International
Centre for
the Study of
Christianity
in India (
ICSCI )
along with
the
Ecuminical
Studies
Centre at
Jordan.
Our readers
and scholars
may be
interested
in knowing
something
about the
MECCwe
hope.]
The Middle
East Council
of Churches
is a
fellowship
of churches
relating
itself to
the main
stream of
the modern
ecumenical
movement,
the same
which gave
birth to the
World
Council and
other
regional
ecumenical
councils
throughout
the world.
The first
and most
remarkable
feature of
the Middle
East Council
of Churches
(MECC) is
its setting.
It was
through the
Middle East
that
Abraham, his
children and
grandchildren
migrated.
Here the
ancient
Hebrew
tribes
wandered;
the judges,
prophets,
priests,
kings,
singers and
sages who
gave voice
to scripture
were
nurtured
here. And it
was here
that the
Incarnation
took place,
and the
redeeming
ministry of
Christ
fulfilled.
The Church
was born in
the Middle
East, and
here the
early
controversies
played
themselves
out and the
first
divisions in
the Church
occurred.
The people
and churches
which form
the council
are the
direct heirs
of all of
that. And
the vibrant
ecumenical
movement to
which the
council
gives
expression
in this
region is a
profound
healing
process. A
glimpse of
the Tree of
Life whose
leaves are
"for the
healing of
the nations"
(Revelation
22:2) is
somehow not
so distant
here.
The second
feature is
geo-political.
Powerful
forces swirl
and eddy in
this region.
They break
out from
time to time
in violence.
Death,
misery and
exploitation
are no
strangers.
Economic
forces,
ethnic
movements,
big power
pressures,
religious
passions …
they make
for a heady
mix of
variables
drawing in
influences
and
interests
from around
the world,
and
predators
abound. In
the midst of
this, for
the past
quarter
century
there has
been the
MECC,
commited to
witness and
serve in
Christ's
name. The
circumstances
of human
dysfunction
place upon
it an
overwhelming
burden.
People in
the Middle
East have
reason to be
suspicious
of those who
say they
want to do
them good.
Wolves in
sheep's
clothing
have been
plentiful.
In a region
overwhelmingly
Muslim in
complexion,
it is
remarkable
that the
council, an
indigenous
Christian
agency,
should
retain the
credibility
rating it
does. It has
worked
quietly and
effectively
as an agent
of mercy and
reconciliation
in war-torn
Lebanon; it
has
interceded
in the
delicate
dialogue
between the
Palestinians
and the
world,
preparing
some of the
more
important
pathways
that led to
the peace
process; it
was early on
the scene in
post-war
Iraq; it
initiated
discussions
within Arab
society to
engage both
Muslims and
Christians
in the
examination
of what
should go
into
building a
just and
peaceful
civil
society; and
it has
participated
in some
momentous
initiatives
of Christian
reconciliation.
There is a
pivotal
quality to
the MECC,
and that
pivot has
integrity.
Having a
legacy
directly
tied into
the early
days of the
ecumenical
movement,
the Council
has served
in another
remarkable
way. Because
of its
long-standing
partnerships
with
churches and
Christian
agencies
both in the
West and in
the East, it
depicts as
no other
body in this
region that
the love of
Christ
transcends
barriers and
makes of
humanity one
people. By
the sheer
fact of its
existence it
is a
testimony to
the fact
that healing
can happen.
Finally,
there is the
intimacy of
the Council.
The twelve
to fourteen
million
souls who
claim
Christ's
name in the
Middle East
are few in
number when
compared to
the
constituents
of similar
ecumenical
associations
elsewhere.
But being
small means
that people
know each
other, and
there is a
bond of
kinship that
is rather
special. It
is no
accident,
therefore,
that the
Council
chose to
organize
itself as a
family of
families—the
Eastern
Orthodox,
the Oriental
Orthodox,
the Catholic
and
Protestant
families.
Each makes
its
contribution
to the
witness of
all. This,
then, is the
Middle East
Council of
Churches. We
invite you
to become
better
acquainted
with it.
More>>http://www.mec-churches.org/
-Prof. G. M.
from the
above site
.
Pope
Benedict XVI
gave the
go-ahead
Saturday for
greater use
of the old
Latin mass,
signalling a
bid to heal
a
decades-old
split in the
Roman
Catholic
Church.
But the
move, which
also applies
to other
religious
rituals, is
controversial
and leading
figures have
already
expressed
misgivings.
A papal
decree said
priests
should now
meet
requests by
the faithful
to hold mass
in the
traditional
Church
language,
which had
widely been
dropped
after the
Second
Vatican
Council
in the
1960s.
"In parishes
where there
is a stable
group of
faithful who
adhere to
the earlier
liturgical
tradition,
the pastor
should
willingly
accept their
request to
celebrate
the
Mass
according to
the rite of
the Roman
Missal
published in
1962...,"
said the
decree.
"The pastor,
having
attentively
examined all
aspects, may
also grant
permission
to use the
earlier
ritual for
the
administration
of the
Sacraments
of Baptism,
Marriage,
Penance and
the
Anointing of
the Sick, if
the good of
souls would
seem to
require it,"
it added.
The virtual
abandonment
of the
Tridentine
mass after
the Second
Vatican
Council in
1965 was one
of the
causes of a
breakaway
led by
French
Archbishop
Marcel
Lefebvre in
1970.
The move was
to encourage
the greater
use of the
mass in
local
languages,
one of a
series of
reforms made
by the
council in a
bid to
modernise
the Church.
Traditionalists
say the
Tridentine
mass, named
after the
town of
Trento,
now in
northern
Italy, is
more
spiritual
and
historically
authentic
than the
modern
version.
French
bishops
secretly
approached
the pope
late last
year to
voice their
concerns
about his
then
apparent
readiness to
revive the
Tridentine
mass.
Cardinal
Jean-Pierre
Ricard,
chairman of
the French
bishops'
conference,
said in
November
that
differences
with
followers of
Lefebvre
were not
only
liturgical,
but also
theological,
dealing with
religious
freedom,
ecumenism,
inter-religious
dialogue and
politics.
He warned
Saturday
that the
pope's "real
motivations
may not be
well
understood"
by the
public and
the priests,
but he did
not expect
many
requests for
traditional
mass.
"I don't see
a tsunami
coming," he
said.
Lefebvre's
followers
hailed the
pope's
decision,
adding
however that
other
difficulties
remained.
The Priestly
Society of
Saint Pius X,
in a
statement
from
Lefebvre's
successor
Bernard
Fellay, said
it "rejoices
to see the
Church ...
regain her
liturgical
Tradition,
and give the
possibility
of a free
access to
the treasure
of the
Traditional
Mass for the
glory of
God, the
good of the
Church and
the
salvation of
souls, to
the priests
and faithful
who had so
far been
deprived of
it."
The
favorable
climate
established
by the
decree
should make
it "possible
-- after the
decree of
excommunication
which still
affects (the
society's)
bishops has
been
withdrawn --
to consider
more
serenely the
disputed
doctrinal
issues," the
association
added in the
statement
posted on
its website.
The pope
opened a
dialogue
with
Lefebvre's
followers in
August 2005,
four months
after he was
elected as
head of the
Roman
Catholic
Church
, by
receiving
Fellay.
Prior to his
death in
April 2005,
Benedict's
predecessor
John Paul II
sought to
bring
traditionalists
back into
the Roman
Catholic
fold,
allowing the
celebration
of the
Tridentine
mass so long
as it was
conducted
only by
bishops.
In a
separate
letter to
the bishops,
Benedict
said he was
motivated by
a need to
reconcile
worshippers
as it had
become
"apparent
that a good
number of
people
remained
strongly
attached to
this usage
of the Roman
Rite which
had been
familiar to
them from
childhood.
"This was
especially
the case in
countries
where the
liturgical
movement had
provided
many people
with a
notable
liturgical
formation
and a deep
personal
familiarity
with the
earlier form
of the
liturgical
celebration.
"We all know
that, in the
movement led
by
archbishop
Lefebvre,
fidelity to
the old
Missal
became an
external
mark of
identity;
the reasons
for the
break which
arose over
this,
however,
were at a
deeper
level."
The pope
asked
bishops to
report back
to the
Vatican
three years
after the
new decree
takes effect
on September
14.
"If truly
serious
difficulties
come to
light, ways
to remedy
them can be
sought," he
said.
Vatican
spokesman
Federico
Lombardi
insisted
Saturday
that the
choice given
to priests
did not mean
that the
Church was
taking a
step back.
"Benedict
XVI
does not
mean to
revolutionise
today's
liturgy
which was
updated by
the
Second
Vatican
Council,
as it will
continue to
be followed
by a large
majority of
worshippers,"
he said.
"He does not
impose a
step back,
he wants no
weakening of
the Council
authority or
of the
authority
and
responsibility
of bishops."
And Cardinal
Dario
Castrillon
Hoyos, head
of the
Vatican
commission
which speaks
to the
dissidents,
said they
should
recognise
the validity
of the more
modern mass.
The
Nazi-hunting
Simon
Wiesenthal
Centre
meanwhile
criticised
Benedict's
decision, as
the old
Latin mass
included a
prayer for
the
conversion
of Jews.
The centre
asked
Benedict "to
declare this
text
contrary to
the current
teaching of
the Church,
in
accordance
with the
Second
Vatican
Council".
Third
International
Conference
on the
History
of Early
Christianity
in India
Announcement
The
Third
International
Conference
on
the
History
of
Early
Christianity
in
India
and
the
Middle
East
will
be
held
at
the
premises
of
the
Century
Park
Hotel,
Amman,
Jordan
from
13
th
to
20th
of
September
2008.
This
includes
the
four
days'
visit
to
the
Biblical
places
in
Jordan
and
Israel
for
four
days
from
17-20th
of
September
2008
The
International
Centre
for
the
Study
of
Christianity
in
India
(
ICSCI
)
will
host
this
unique
Conference
in
Collaboration
with
the
Middle
East
Council
of
Churches
(
MECC)
and
Ecuminical
Studies
Centre
at
Jordan.
We invite
scholars all
over the
world to
participate
and present
research
papers/topics
pertaining
to the
history of
early
Christianity
in India and
the Middle
East . The
hosting
committee
has decided
to include
fifty papers
on early
Indian
Churches and
another
fifty papers
on early
Christianity
in all the
countries of
the Middle
East .
In addition
to the
delegates
who present
research
papers, it
has been
decided to
accommodate
good number
of observers
who can
actively
participate
in the
deliberations
of the
Conference.
For further
information
contact: Dr.
John Samuel,
IAS,
Chemmanchery,
Chennai.
Ollur
Church
photo
taken in
1904 -
presented
to Prof.
G.
Menachery
by Henry
C. Q.
Brownrigg
of the
British
Association
for
Cemeteries
in South
Asia in
October
2004.
Note the
three-tier
roofing
style
and the
gabled
original
copper
roof of
the
bell-tower
Malabar
Christians
of
Ancient
Days
(from
an old
painting).
Photo
published
in the
Cochin
Government
Royal
War
Efforts
Souvenir
in 1938.
Ollur
Church,
inside
view.
Note the
altat,
altarpiece,
hanging
lamps,
globes,
railings,
floor
tiles
etc.
Photo
published
in the
Cochin
Government
Royal
War
Efforts
Souvenir
in 1938.
Ollur
Church
photo
published
in the
Cochin
Government
Royal
War
Efforts
Souvenir
in 1938
-
it is
almost
identical
with the
previous
picture
with
slight
changes
in the
coconut
leaves -
may be
this was
taken at
the same
time as
the 1904
picture.
View from the
left side of the
Ollur Church.
Photo taken in
1904 -
presented to
Prof. G.
Menachery by
Henry C. Q.
Brownrigg of the
British
Association for
Cemeteries in
South Asia
in October 2004
[For
YOUR
EYES
ONLY
is a new
LOL
Series
which
would
carry
interesting
pictures
and
illustrations
which
throw
some
useful
light on
St.
Thomas
Christian
history,
culture,
customs,
manners
representing
every
church
and
denominations
of
Syrian
Christians.
Prof.
George
Menachery
who is a
renowned
scholar
with
vast
research
experience
in
Thomas
Christian
traditions
and
history
organizes
this
Series.]
This is
the
pedestal
of the
stone
cross in
granite
[rock]
in front
of the
Ollur
Church
which is
the
oldest
church
in the
Thrissur
Corporation
area.
But the
Ollur
Church
is less
than 300
years
old
whereas
there
are more
than a
hundred
churches
which
are 400
years or
more old
in
Kerala.
And
there
are
dozens
of
exquisitely
carved
open air
rock
crosses
or
Nazraney
Sthambams
in front
of many
of these
ancient
Kerala
Christian
places
of
worship,
e.g. at
Kottekkad,
Enammavu
[now in
the
Trichur
Archieparcal
Residence,
where it
was
shifted
from the
Lourdes
Cathedral
Christian
Cultural
Museum
that was
estd. in
1980 -
discovered
by this
writer
in 1980
at
Enammavu
from a
mud
deposit]
Mapranam,
Puthenchira,
Parappukkara,
Veliyanad,
Kalpparambu
[the
last
discovered
by this
writer
in the
mud
deposits]
Koratty,
Angamaly
[one each in
front of the
three churches -
the Western
church cross,
27ft. tall- has
been exactly
reproduced in
front of the
Kakkanad Mount
St. Thomas St.
Thomas Christian
Museum],
Kanjoor,
Malayattoor,
Udayanperur,
Kuravilangad,Uzhavoor,Chungam,Kaduthuruthy
[2 Nos.],
Muttuchira,
Kudamaloor,
Niranam,
Kothamangalam,
Chengannur,
Thumpamon,
Chathannur,
Changanacherry
[the base of the
second cross was
discovered by
this writer in
the
Changanacherry
cemetery], and
many other
places.
These crosses
have four
members: the
base with a
socket often
fixed on a huge
pedestal (see
pic), the huge
monolithic shaft
with
cylinder-like
projections at
both ends, the
arm with sockets
above and below,
and the capital
which forms the
fourth arm of
the cross with a
cylinder
arrangement at
the bottom. All
these crosses
rise from the
lotus carved at
the top of the
base member
termed the
Pookkallu. Many
of these crosses
have exquisite
carvings and
sculptures esp.
on the four
sides of the
pedestal, and in
rare cases on
the shaft as the
Adam, Eve, and
the Serpent on
the Chengannur
Obelisk Cross.
Like the
Egyptian
Obelisks the
cross is a ray
of the sun -
Horus or Christ.
[Author Prof.
George Menachery
is a freelance
Indian
Journalist and
Editor of the
St. Thomas
Christian
Encyclopedia of
India and the
Indian Church
History
Classics. After
teaching
university
classes for
thirty years, he
gave up the job
as Head of the
Department of
Post-Graduate
Teaching in
order to
concentrate on
research and
publication.
SARAS (South
Asia Research
Assistance
Services)
provides
information and
research
assistance for
topics dealing
with India in
particular and
South Asia in
general. He has
to his credit a
large number of
publications,
research papers,
articles, radio
talks and TV
programmes. His
research
activities and
lectures have
taken him to
more than 20
countries in 4
continents.]
Catholic
Educational
Institutions in
India : Some
Revealing Facts
and Figures
The percentage
of Catholic
students in
India's Catholic
educational
institutions is
only 22.7%,
other Christians
5.6%, while the
vast majority of
students are
Hindus - a
whopping 53%,
Muslims 8.6% and
others 10.1%.
Caste wise 25%
are from SC/ST
origin, 31% from
BC origin, 11%
from OBC origin
and others are
33%.
Only 6.9% of the
students are
from the higher
income group,
19% from the
middle income
group, 32.4%
belong to the
lower income
group and the
large majority
of students -
41.4% - belong
to the Below
Poverty Line
group BPL.
A German
Youth Jumps on
to Popemobile in
St. Peter'e
Square, the
Vatican
A German man
jumped a
security barrier
and grabbed the
back of Pope
Benedict XVI's
open popemobile
before being
swarmed by
security guards
Wednesday 6th
June 2007. —
reviving a
debate over
whether the
pontiff needs
stronger
protection
during his
public
audiences.
Benedict was not
harmed and
appeared not to
even notice,
never looking
back as he waved
to the crowd in
St. Peter's
Square. But
security
analysts said he
exposes himself
to undue risk by
appearing at the
same place and
time each week
in an open jeep.
"If he cannot
change the route
or the hour, he
must use at
least a
protected car,"
said Claude
Moniquet, head
of the European
Strategic
Intelligence and
Security Center,
a Brussels-based
think tank on
security issues.
The man vaulted
onto a wooden
barrier and then
over in an
apparent attempt
to get into the
white
popemobile. One
guard grabbed
him as he
leaped, but the
man managed to
grab hold of the
vehicle before
security men
trailing the car
pinned him to
the ground.
Benedict didn't
flinch. The
80-year-old,
German-born pope
continued waving
and blessing the
cheering crowd
of some 35,000
people as his
jeep kept moving
slowly forward
and the audience
proceeded as if
nothing had
happened.
The Vatican
spokesman, the
Rev. Federico
Lombardi, said
the man was a
27-year-old
German who
showed signs of
"mental
imbalance." He
declined to
identify him.
"His aim was not
an attempt on
the pope's life
but to attract
attention to
himself,"
Lombardi told
reporters.
The man was
interrogated by
Vatican police
and then taken
to a hospital
for psychiatric
treatment, he
said.
The incident
rekindled
memories of the
assassination
attempt against
Pope John Paul
II by Turkish
gunman Mehmet
Ali Agca in
1981. John Paul
suffered a
severe abdominal
wound as he rode
in an open jeep
at the start of
his weekly
audience in the
Vatican piazza —
the same event
as Wednesday's.
Moniquet, a
security expert
who has written
about protecting
heads of state,
said leaders
like the pope
have to balance
proximity to the
public with
their own need
for security in
today's violent
world.
But unlike other
leaders who make
occasional
forays into the
public domain,
the pope has a
regular
appointment with
the faithful
each Wednesday
morning —
precisely the
type of routine
that security
guards try to
avoid.
"The fact is you
cannot ensure
100 percent
protection,"
Moniquet said.
"It's around the
Vatican. It's a
ritual. I'm
afraid there are
not a lot of
options" other
than an armored
car.
Nevertheless,
Vatican
officials said
there were no
plans to change
the
long-standing
use of open
vehicles for the
weekly audience
at the Vatican.
When the pope
travels abroad,
he does use a
popemobile
outfitted with
bulletproof
glass.
Moniquet noted
that people go
to the audiences
to see the pope,
saying that
would still be
possible with
bulletproof
glass. But such
protection would
prevent the
pontiff from
blessing babies
that are
occasionally
passed to him by
his guards, as
he did
Wednesday.
Since the Sept.
11 attack on the
U.S., the
Vatican has
tightened
security in St.
Peter's Square
when the pope is
present. All
visitors must
pass by police
to get into the
square, with
some going
through metal
detectors or
being scanned by
metal-detecting
wands.
Nevertheless,
virtually anyone
can attend.
Tickets can
often be
obtained at the
last minute —
particularly in
good weather,
when the
audience is held
outside in the
piazza.
St. Peter's
Square is
cordoned off
with wooden
barricades to
create lanes for
the popemobile
to cruise
through the
crowd and make
the pope more
visible to the
throngs.
The pope is
protected by a
combination of
Swiss Guards,
Vatican police
and Italian
police.
On Wednesday,
the head of the
Swiss Guards,
Col. Elmar
Maeder, walked
along one side
of the
popemobile while
Benedict's
personal
bodyguard,
Domenico Giani,
took the other.
Several
plainclothes
security
officers trailed
them.
Benedict stood
up behind the
driver, holding
onto a bar to
steady himself,
with his
personal
secretary,
Monsignor Georg
Ganswein, seated
behind him.
Asked why the
pontiff didn't
react to the
disturbance,
Vatican
officials noted
that the
incident
occurred
quickly, that
there was a lot
of noise in the
piazza and that
the popemobile
kept moving.
The officials,
who were not
authorized to
speak publicly,
said no extra
security
measures were
being considered
for Thursday,
when the pope
planned to take
part in an
annual religious
procession
outside the
Vatican walls in
central Rome.
(Yahoo News)
Pope
clears
way for
Canonization
of
Syro-Malabar
Indian
Nun
Blessed
Alphonsa
Muttathupandathu
and an
Ecuadorean
Laywoman
VATICAN
CITY
June 1--
Pope
Benedict
XVI
cleared
the way
for the
canonization
of a
Syro-Malabar
nun from
India
and a
laywoman
from
Ecuador.
By
approving
a series
of
decrees,
and
publishing
those
martyrdom
decrees,
the
beatification
ceremonies
can be
scheduled.
However,
the
Vatican
did not
announce
the
dates
for the
ceremonies.
Pope
Benedict
XVI
recognized
miracles
attributed
to the
intercession
of the
two
women,
who now
can be
declared
saints.
The
Malabar
Church
'sister'
is
Blessed
Alphonsa
Muttathupandathu,
a member
of the
Poor
Clares
(Franciscan
Clarist
Congregation)
who died
at
Bharananganam
in the
Diocese
of Palai
in 1946
just
before
her 36th
birthday,
well
known
for her
spirit
of
sacrifice,
deep
prayer-life,
and
self-mortification.
A
miracle
that
took
place in
the case
of a
Kuruppanthura
boy as
the
result
of the
Bl.
Alphonsa's
intercession
has been
recognised
by the
Vatican
and the
Pope
after
the
examination
of the
case by
a series
of
panels
of
doctors
from
India
and
abroad.
She will be the
first person
from the Indian
Catholic Church
to be raised to
sainthood. Today
there are four
others from
Kerala who are
Blessed : Bl.
Chavara
Kuriakose Elias
CMI, Bl.Mariam
Thresia
CHF, Bl.
Kunjachan
a secular priest
from Ramapuram,
and Bl.
Euphrasia
CMC of Ollur.
Also from India
there is Bl.
Mother Teresa
of Calcutta,
West Bengal and
Bl.
Joseph Vaz
a
missionary in
Canara and Sri
Lanka.
St.
Francis Xavier
and St.
John de Britto
though they
spent most of
their lives in
India were born
in Spain
(Pamplona) and
Portugal
(Lisbon)
respectively.
The Vasai-Fort
born Lucitanian
martyr St.
Gonsalo Garcia
is technically
the first Indian
Saint - having
been born in
"India" and his
mother being a
Kannadiga-; but
he left India
for Japan and
the Philippines
as a missionary
and died a
martyr in Japan,
one of the 26
missionaries
crucified at
Nagasaki Hills
in 1597. He was
canonized on 8
June 1862 by
Pope Pius IX.
There are a
number of books
available both
in Malayalam and
English on Sr.
Alphonsa (one by
Chev. K.C .
Chacko); a
documentary
scripted by
Prof. George
Menachery and
produced by ICS
(2001) depicts
the life of
Alphonsamma at
Kudamaloor,
Muttuchira,
Vazhapally etc.
with special
emphasis on the
places and
persons,
institutions and
edifices in her
life.
Beatification
took
place on
03
December
at the
Square
of the
Forane
Parish
Church
of Saint
Antony,
Ollur
(Kerala,
India),
presided
by Mar
Varkey
Cardinal
Vithayathil
,
Major
Archbishop
of the
Syro
Malabar
Church.
Bd.
Euphrasia
Eluvathingal
Beatification
took
place on
30 April
at the
Square
of the
Parish
Church
of Saint
Augustine
in
Ramapuram
(Kerala,
India),
presided
by Mar
Varkey
Cardinal
Vithayathil
Syro
Malabar
Major
Archbishop.
Bd.
Augustine
Thevarparampil
Malankara
Orthodox
Syrian
Church
Trustees
Elected
Father
Johns
Abraham
Konatt
(Kandanad
Diocese)
and M.G.
George
Muthoot
(Delhi
Diocese)
were
elected
by the
Fifty-First
Malankara
Syrian
Christian
Association
meet as
Clergy
and Lay
Trustees
of the
Church
on 21st
inst. At
the same
time the
MSCA
meeting
also
ratified
the
nomination
of 43
clergy
representatives
and 86
lay
members
from 25
different
parishes.
Catholicos
of the
East
Baselius
Mar
Thoma
Didymos
I
presided.
Baselius
Mar
Thoma
Didymos
the
First
addresses
the
Assembled
Delegates
at
Parumala
Meanwhile, the
Catholicos also
nominated 30
members,
including 10
priests, to the
MSCA managing
committee on
Wednesday.
Lay members:
Philip Mathew
(Malayala
Manorama), P.C.
Abraham
(Kottayam
Central), P.G.
Jacob
(Kottayam),
Shaji Abraham
(Calcutta),
Jacob Mathew
(Malaysia), Dr.
George
Poovathoor (the
United States),
George Paul
(Ernakulam),
Thomas John
Mambara (Mahatma
Gandhi
University),
A.K. Thomas
(Kollam), Jacob
John
(Thiruvananthapuram),
K.T.Idiculla
(the United
States), K.V.
Jacob
(Ernakulam),
T.A.George
(Thumpamon),
I.C. Thampan
(Kottayam),
P.C.John
Painummoottil
(Thumpamon),
Thomas Varghese
(Aluva
Thrikkunnathu),
P.K.Pathrose
(Servant of the
Cross), P.K.
Kuriakose
(Idukki),
E.J.John
(Kottayam) and
George Mathai
Nooranal
(Malabar).
Catholicos
designate
Paulose Mar
Milithios and
other
Metropolitans of
the Church
addressed the
delegates.
State Land
Revenue
Commissioner,
Tamil Nadu, O.P.
Sosamma was the
returning
officer.
Of the total
3,244 votes
polled Fr.
Konatthu got a
total of 2,059
votes while
George Muthoot
received 2,097
votes.
Catholicos
Designate
Poulose Mar
Milithius to
Make Efforts to
Solve Dispute
Catholicos
designate
Metropolitan
Poulose Mar
Milithius has
said his main
endeavour would
be to end the
century-old
faction feud in
the Malankara
church.
Milithius was
unanimously
elected by the
4051-member
Parliament of
the MOSC as
Catholicose
designate.
The Malankara
Orthodox Syrian
Church (MOSC)
and the
Malankara
Jacobite Syrian
Church (MJSC)
are the two
warring factions
of the Malankara
Syrian Christian
Church.
He would be
succeeding the
incumbent
Baselius Mar
Thoma Didimos I
as Catholicos of
the East and
head of the
Malankara
Orthodox Syrian
Church.
MOSC has about
20 lakh faithful
spread over the
different parts
of the world
mainly the US,
the EU, Canada
and the Gulf
besides India,
said a
spokesman.
The legal battle
between the
Orthodox and
Jacobite
factions was
going on since
1905 and at
least Rs 1000
crore has been
totally spent by
both the
factions for
waging legal
battles,
Milithius told
reporters at
Kunnamkulam
recently.
There are
several cases
still pending in
the Supreme
Court and
various courts
of Kerala, he
said.
About 10
churches under
the Malankara
Syrian Christian
church were
still lying
closed in the
state following
court orders.
Hence, the
Metropolitan
felt that it was
time to make
best efforts to
solve the
disputes between
the two
factions, he
said.
Pattanam in the
MUZIRIS -
Kodungallur Area
Attracting
Archaeologists
and Historians
Pattanam, a
sleepy town in
Ernakulam
district,
separated from
the Thrissur
District and
Cranganore by a
section of River
Periyar will see
a flurry of
activities in
the coming days
as renowned
archaeologists
and experts will
visit the place
to examine the
findings of the
ongoing
excavation
there.
Pattanam, near
North Paravur,
on the opposite
side of
Kodungallur
across the river
came once again
to the limelight
a couple of
years ago when
pieces of
pottery, beads,
coins and
bottles were
unearthed,
giving the first
indication that
the place could
really be the
ancient trading
port of Muziris,
which was the
link between
Rome and India
2000 years ago.
This week,
experts from the
Kerala Council
for Historical
Research (KCHR)
dug up a stone
platform beneath
a floor of baked
bricks.
And now a wooden
piece that
formed part of
an ancient boat
and a quey have
been unearthed,
recalling to
one's mind the
descriptions in
the first
century (ca.)
Sangham works
and Roman
writers how the
western ships
anchored at a
distance from
the Muziris
emporium (Primum
Empoium
Indiae-Pliny)
and boats dug
out of a single
piece of timber
carried huge
quantities of
Roman Coins to
Muziris, along
with other
commodities.
This platform is
as hard as
concrete. Wooden
pieces and logs,
believed to be
of a historical
age, were also
found there
during
excavation this
month.
M V Nair from
Lucknow, an
expert in this
field, will
visit Pattanam
in the next
couple of days
to examine the
findings.
Scientists from
the Kerala
Forest Research
Institute at
Peechi will also
inspect the
area. A team
from the
Southern Naval
Command visited
the place on
Tuesday to study
the artifacts
found there. It
is believed that
they will
cooperate with
the KCHR team to
investigate the
bottom of the
Sea nearby for
archaeological
vestiges like
remains and
cargo of ships,
and also to
examine the
theory that
around the 10th
Century CE
something
happened to
demolish and
obliterate the
Muziris of Pliny
and other first
century writers
from Greece and
Rome.
Kerala Council
for Historical
Research
director P J
Cherian is
leading the
Muziris Heritage
Project which is
again bringing
national and
international
attention to
this remote
place.
It was
archaeologists K
P Shajan and V
Selvakumar who
traced the
presence of
ancient history
there first and
identified
Muziris with
Pattanam, two
years back.
Trial
excavations held
in the past
couple of years
had earlier
unearthed
imported Roman
amphora,
Yemenese and
West Asian
pottery, bricks,
tiles and beads.
Potsherds with
Tamil Brahmi
inscription and
'Vattezhuthu'
script were also
excavated from
the area
earlier.
''On preliminary
reading, the new
findings are
very relevant.
We can say for
sure only after
an official
confirmation. We
expect more
experts to come
here in the next
few days,'' says
Cherian.
Based on the
findings there,
the
Archaeological
Survey of India
issued an
archaeological
licence to KCHR
for conducting
excavations at
the site.
The State
Archaeology
Department is
also associating
with the
programme. KCHR
is also looking
for support from
other agencies
and
organisations
involved in the
field.
The findings
were found to be
the first
evidence in
recent years of
Roman presence
on the Malabar
coast.
The theory about
the port of
Muziris being on
the belt of the
Kodungallur-Chettuva
belt has also
been
strengthened by
this excavation
[Based on a
report in the
New Indian
Express, March
24 2007.]
Venerable
Euphrasia was
beatified today
during a
ceremony at the
Ollur Saint
Anthony's Forane
Church grounds
seven kilometers
from Thrissur,
the cultural
capital of
Kerala..
Major Archbishop
Mar Varkey
Cardinal
Vithayathil of
the Syro-Malabar
Church with the
Apostolic Nuncio
for India,
Archbishop Pedro
Lopez Quintana,
and Archbishop
Jacob Thoomkuzhy
of Thrissur,
presided over
the ceremonial
high Mass along
with 31
archbishops and
bishops and over
150 priests. The
ceremony was
attended by over
1000 priests and
3000 nuns in
addition to more
than 30000
faithful from
all over the
undivided
Vicariate of
trichur and from
all parts of
Kerala and
India.
Cardinal
Vithayathil
reading out the
decree of Pope
Benedict XVI
declared
Euphrasia
Blessed and
raised her to
the status of
beatified. Major
Archbishop
Vithayathil,
Archbishops
Quintana and
Thoomkuzhy later
unveiled the
portrait of
Blessed
Eurphrasia.
With Euphrasia's
beatification,
seven religious
persons from
India have been
elevated to the
status of
Blessed. In
addition to
Kuriakose Elias
Chavara CMI,
Sister Alphonsa
Muttathupadath
FCC, Mariam
Theresa Chiramal
CHF and Father
Augustine
Thevarparambil
of Ramapuram
(all from
Kerala) Joseph
Vaz of Goa and
Mother Teresa of
Calcutta have
been
beatified. (For
details
vide article on
the Saints and
Sages of India,
in the Indian
Christian
Directory,
Rashtra Deepiks,
2006 (or 2000)
by Prof. George
Menachery.The
work has
photographs and
details on all
these and
others, and
details of
beatification,
canonisation
etc.) Euphrasia,
popularly known
as 'Praying
Mother', was
born in 1877 at
Kattur Village
near
Irinjalakuda in
the former
Trichur
Vicariate, in
the parish of
Edathurhty, as
Rosa to
Eluvathingal
Cherpukaran
Anthony and
Kunjethy.
At age 12, she
joined the
boarding house
of the Carmelite
Sisters at
Koonammavu under
patronage of
Chavara Achan
and Leopold
missionary. Later,
she was brought
to Ambazhakkad
and received her
headdress and
the religious
name Euphrasia
of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus,
January 10,
1898, and donned
the habit of
Carmel.
Euphrasia
received her
veil as a
full-fledged nun
in 1900 at the
Saint Mary's
Convent at
Ollur, the day
on which it
started its
mission work.
Out of her over
52-year-old life
of nunhood,
Euphrasia lived
48 years in the
Ollur convent
itself,.
She died at the
Ollur convent in
August 1952
where she has
been buried.
She prayed the
rosary hours on
end day in and
day
out throughout
her convent
life,
earning her the
name 'Praying
Mother'.
Like her mother,
Euphrasia was
simple,
extremely calm
and composed and
had a deep
spirit of
prayer.During
her convent
life, she had
been appointed
assistant
superior, novice
mistress and
mother superior.
"Even if you
lack money, do
not lack in
virtue," was her
instruction to
her family
members, said
vice-postulator
Dr.Cleopatra at
the Ollur
convent talking
after the body
of the saintly
nun was removed
for examination
in the presence
of Archbishop
Thoomkuzhy and
Bishop
Pazhayattil..
Euphrasia was
declared Servant
of God in 1987
and Venerable in
2002.
Earlier, all the
prelates,
including
Cardinal
Vithayathil and
Archbishop
Quintana,
visited the tomb
of Euphrasia and
offered prayers,
before
proceeding to
the venue of the
beatification
ceremony. All
the
ecclesiastical
dignitaries went
in a procession
from the
historic Ollur
church, famous
for its murals
and woodwork.
Union Minister
for Labour,
Oscar Fernandez,
was present at
the function.
RAMAPUAN, India,
APRIL 30, 2006
:Father
Augustine
Thevarparampil,
known as the
apostle of the
untouchables,
was beatified in
Ramapuan, India.
Cardinal Varkev
Vithayathil,
major archbishop
of
Ernakulam-Angamaly,
presided at the
beatification
ceremony today
in the name of
Pope Benedict
XVI.
Here is a short
biography of
Father
Thevarparampil:
Everybody knew
Fr. Augustine or
‘Agusthy’ as
Kunjachan which,
in the Malayalam
language of
India, means
"little priest."
Father Augustine
Thevarparampil
was very short,
but was a giant
in announcing
Christ among the
dalits and the
outcastes.
Born in
Ramapuram, in
the Diocese of
Palai, Kerala,
on April 1,
1891, Augustine
entered the
seminary after
completing his
studies in
public schools.
He was ordained
a priest at age
33, on Dec. 17,
1921, by Servant
of God Mar
Thomas
Kurialacherry.
In 1923
Kunjachan was
sent as
assistant parish
priest to
Kadanad, in the
Church of St.
Sebastian. His
pastoral service
in this place
did not last
long. Ill-health
forced him to
return to his
native village
in 1926.
During his
convalescence,
he became aware
of the miserable
living
conditions of
the
"untouchables,"
those belonging
to the lowest
caste of the
Indian society.
Gandhi used to
call them
Harijan -- "the
people of God."
Father Augustine
decided to
devote his life
to the
evangelization
and human
betterment of
the poorest of
his society.
The priest rose
at 4 each
morning. After
celebrating
Mass, he and a
catechist used
to go and visit
the families in
the villages. He
took care of the
dalit Pulayas in
his parish, as
well as all
those he could
materially
reach.
He used to call
"child" anybody
who needed help.
He offered
assistance and
comfort, tried
to solve
disputes and
took care of the
sick. Some used
to avoid him and
hide from him.
His short height
was a blessing
because he could
go in and out,
without any
difficulty, of
the poor village
huts. Kunjachan
was a friend to
the children; he
always carried
some sweets for
them. The
children enjoyed
his company
tremendously.
Father Augustine
spent his entire
life in
simplicity,
living like the
poor to whom he
had devoted his
existence.
His will begins:
"I possess
neither land nor
money, and I owe
no one anything.
I want my
funeral to be a
very simple
one."
A man of great
spirituality, he
used to pray
continuously
even during his
frequent
traveling. He
was always
patient and
understanding
with the
outcasts. He
knew how to
overcome
mistrust.
During his
priesthood days
among the dalits
he personally
baptized almost
6,000 people.
And he was known
as the "apostle
of the
untouchables."
After
celebrating 50
years of
priesthood, he
died on Oct. 16,
1973, at age 82.
He wished to be
buried among his
beloved
children, in the
barren land, but
the parishioners
demanded that he
be laid to rest
in the church,
at the foot of
the altar of St.
Augustine,
patron of the
community.
Ever since then
his tomb has
been the
destination of
thousands of
pilgrims every
year. Solemn
celebrations are
held especially
on Oct. 16 to
commemorate his
death.
Elevated to the
ranks of the
`blessed'
PALA: Augustine
Thevarparambil,
popularly known
as
Thevarparambil
Kunjachan, was
elevated to the
ranks of the
`blessed' at a
solemn ceremony,
witnessed by
thousands of
devotees, at St.
Augstine's
Forane Church at
Ramapuram, near
here, on Sunday.
He is the fourth
from the
Syro-Malabar
Church to be
elevated to one
order preceding
sainthood. The
others so
elevated were
Alphonsa of
Pala, Kuriakose
Elias Chavara of
Mannanam and
Mariam Teresia
of Ollur.
Fr. Augustine
was born on
April 1, 1891,
and had worked
as a Catholic
priest among
Dalits till his
death on October
16, 1973. The
process of
beatification
and canonisation
began on August
11, 1987, when
he was declared
a servant of
God. It was on
June 22, 2004,
that he was
declared
venerable by the
then Pope, John
Paul II. The way
was opened for
his
beatification
when the
findings of the
miraculous cure
of the clubfoot
of a boy from
Idukki district,
through the
mediation of
Kunjachan, was
approved by Pope
Benedict XVI.
The special
ceremonies, led
by Major
Archbishop Mar
Varkey
Vithayathil, on
Sunday began
with the welcome
speech by Bishop
Joseph
Kallarangatt of
Pala, at a
specially
erected pandal
on the church
premises. This
was followed by
the Holy Mass.
Nearly 70
bishops, led by
Telesphore
Cardinal Toppo,
president of the
Catholic
Bishop's Council
of India, along
with more than
500 priests,
concelebrated
the solemn
Eucharistic
Liturgy during
which the Papal
decree elevating
Kunjachan as
blessed was read
out. Following
this, a portrait
of Kunjachan was
unveiled and his
relics were
placed for
obeisance.
Later, a
procession
carrying the
idol of
beatified
Kunjachan was
taken out to
mark the
conclusion of
the ceremony.
Archbishop Pedro
Lopez Quintana,
Papal Nuncio to
India, preached
the homily.
Archbishop Mar
Joseph Powathil
and Bishop
Joseph
Pallickaparabil
also spoke.
Also present on
the occasion was
Gilson from
Adimali, whose
clubfoot was
miraculously
cured and scores
of Dalits who
were served by
the priest
during his
lifetime.
VATICAN CITY,
APRIL 30, 2006.-
During his
address today
before praying
the midday
Regina Caeli
with tens of
thousands of
people gathered
in St. Peter's
Square Pope
Benedict XVI
said:
I greet all the
English-speaking
pilgrims and
visitors here
today, including
those gathered
to mark the
beatification of
Father Augustine
Kunjachan
Thevarparampil
taking place at
Ramapuram, in
Kerala, India.
St. Francis
Xavier 500th
Birthday
Celebrated in
Goa
‘St Francis
Xavier’s heart
was burning with
love for Jesus’
OLD GOA, APRIL 7
-
St Francis
Xavier’s heart
was burning with
love for Jesus
and therefore,
he gave up his
worldly riches
for the sake
of his Jesuit
brethren and
others, recalled
Fr Vasco Rego,
former Bom Jesus
Rector on
Friday. In his
homily at the
Eucharistic
Celebration to
mark the 500th
birth
anniversary of
the 16th century
Basque saint
Francis Xavier,
outside the
Bom Jesus
Basilica,
attended by
thousands of
devotees, he
quoted the words
of Xavier’s
companion,
Simon, ‘Francis
used to often
pray loudly in
the nights
saying ‘Give me
more and more
(crosses and
sufferings) O
Lord.’
The service one
does to his
brethren is
visible from
one’s good deeds
to others, which
Xavier, “Goencho
Saib” rightfully
did. His heart
was ablaze and
he went about
preaching the
Good News of
Jesus and his
salvation,
concluded Fr
Rego.
At the
offertory, a
copy of the Holy
bible, crucifix,
Jesuit
literature, Goa
Jesuit annual
bulletin, a
Portuguese book
and Bread and
Wine were placed
at the hands of
the main
celebrant, the
Archbishop of
Goa and
Patriarch of the
East.
Several bishops,
priests, nuns
also
participated at
the Eucharistic
celebration. The
Merces Parish
Choir assisted
the devotees in
singing during
the Mass.
The Jesuit
Provincial Fr
Anthony D’Silva,
who cut the
cake, thanked
the prelates,
the priests, the
congregation and
the government
for providing
the necessary
facilities for
the
celebrations.
The well written
and excellently
produced book “Saint
Francis Xavier :
A Man For All
Others”
by Miguel Correa
Monteiro was
released at the
end of the
function.
Later, a
20-minute film
on the life of
St Francis
Xavier was
screened on the
occasion.
Devotees had to
pass through
metal detectors
installed at the
entrance to the
Basilica’s
campus.
For 100s of
references to
Xavier in India
and South Asia
cf. the SEVEN
indices in the
St. Thomas
Christian
Encyclopaedia of
India Ed.
Prof.George
Menachery
(Vol.I, 1982;
Vol.II, 1973)
Esp. articles by
A. M.
Jagatheesan and
J. M.
Villarvarayan.
“Three
Companions: One
Jubilee”
Ignatius Loyola:
450th Death
Anniversary
Francis Xavier:
500th Birth
Anniversary
Peter Faber:
500th Birth
Anniversary
Among the
participants at
the Bom Jesus
Basilica
function was a
large
consignment of
Church
Historians who
had assembled at
the Xavier
Institute of
Historical
Research, Alto
Porvorim, to
discuss and
celebrate the
“Three
Companions: One
Jubilee” viz.,
St. Ignatius
Loyola’s 450th
Death
Anniversary and
St. Francis
Xavier’s and Bl.
Peter Faber’s
500th Birth
Anniversary. The
Seminar (April
6. 7) had been
organized by the
Xavier
Institute, Goa
(Director: Delio
Mendonza s.j.)
and the Bihar
Social
Institute, Patna
(Director: Dr.
Jose Kalapra
s.j.) under the
sponsorship of
the Jesuit
Provincial of
the South Asian
Assistancy.
The Seminar was
inaugurated by
Shri Eduardo
Faleiro,
Commissioner of
NRI Affairs.
Papers Presented
Dr. Mathias
Mundadan:
Earnest
Hanxeledon
(Arnos Padri): A
Scholar and a
Popular Poet
(1681-1732).
Dr. Delio de
Mendonza, s.j.:
Constructing and
Deconstructing
Identity: A
Study of the
Society of
Jesus-1558-1758.
Prof. George
Menachery:
The Inspiration
of Ignatius
Loyola in
Francis Xavier’s
Vision for South
Asia.
Prof.Gu Wei-min:
Christianity in
Asia since
Xavier: Past,
Present and
Future
Orientation.
Dr. Jose
Kalapua, s.j.:
India Inscribed:
Jesuit
Contribution to
Development of
Printing in
India.
Prof. Joseph
Parmar, s.j.:
Jesuit
Contribution in
the making of
Christian
Communities in
Gujarat,1893-ff.
Prof. Joseph
Velinkar, s.j.:
Re-examining
Xavier’s
Contribution in
India.
Dr. Kranthi K.
Farias:
Jesuit Presence
in South
Kanara:Identity,
Discontinuity,
Initiatives.
Savio Abreu,
s.j.:
Catholic
Charismatic
Reneal: A
Challenge to the
InstitutionalisedChurch.
Prof. Sunny
Jose, s.j.:
Cultural
Confrontations
and
Adaptations:The
Legacy of
Malabar
Province.
Dr. Thomas
Anchukandam,
s.d.b.
Return of the
Jesuits to India
and the
Establishment of
the Vicariate
Apostolic of
Madurai – The
MEP Factor
(1838-1847).
Governing
Body of
the
Chair
for
Christian
Studies
and
Research
CALICUT
UNIVERSITY
Constituted
The
Governing
Body of
the
Chair
for
Christian
Studies
and
Research
of the
Calicut
University
has been
constituted
with the
Vice-Chancellor
of the
University
as
Chairman.
In
addition
to the
Registrar
of the
University
and the
Finance
Officer
the
following
are the
members:
Fr.
Thomas
Chakramakkil
(Member
of the
Syndicate),
Rev. Dr.
Remegius
Inchananiyil,
Sri.
Martin
T. J.,
Prof.
George
Menachery,
Rev. Dr.
Raphael
Thattil
(Rector,
Mary
Matha
major
Seminary),
and Dr.
M. K.
Preetha
(Member
of the
Syndicate).
At the
first
meeting
of the
Governing
Body
held in
the
Vice-chancellor's
Chamber
on 7th
November
2005 it
was
decided
to
update
and
invigorate
the
research
and
strudy
projects
of the
Chair,
giving
emphasis
to the
academic
side. It
was
decided
to
appoint
a
visiting
professor
at the
earliest.
The
Chaiman
and
Vice-Chancellor
underlined
the need
to give
priority
to
purely
academic
matters
in the
running
of
the
Chair
and
hoped
that the
setting
up of a
Dept. of
Christian
Studies could
be one
of the
chief
aims of
the
Chair.
CHAI
- The Church
History
Association
of India
Old Goa Oct.
2005
13th
Triennial
Conference of
CHAI
Theme:
"Indian
Society and
Culture:An
Encounter
with
Christianity"
Inaugurated
by H.G.The
Patriarch of
the East and
Archbishop
of Goa and
Daman
Filip Neri
Ferrao
The
following
were elected
officials of
CHAI:
President
Dr.Mrs.Kranthi
Farias
Bombay
Vice-Presidents
Dr. Jos
Kalappura
Patna
Prof. George
Menachery Ollur
Thrissur
Kerala
Secretary
General
Mr. N. Surya
Rao
Allahabad
Treasurer
Fr.Sebastian
Edathikavil c.m.i.
B'lore
Executive
Committee
Members
Rev.
D.J.Jeremiah
Hyderabad
Rev. S. K.
Nanda Ganjam
Ortissa
ICHR
Dr. Leonard
Fernando
s.j. to
continue in
charge of
the
association's
journal
Indian
Church
History
Review
History of
Christianity
in India
Rev. Dr. A.
M. Mundadan
c.m.i. to
continue in
charge of
the History
of
Christianity
in India
project
The
conference
proceedings
were ably
guided
by Dr.Arthur
Jeyakumar
(Madurai
- Immediate
Past
President
1999-2005)
The
conference
was hosted
by the
Western
Branch of
CHAI and
excellently
organised by
its
president
Dr.M.D.David,ably
supported by
its
secretary
Mrs. Agnes
de Sa
and companions.
Papers
Presented
The
following
papers were
presented at
the 2005
conference:
Dr.Roger
Hedlund
(read by
Jessica
Richard):
Society and
Culture and
the
Encounter
with
Christianity
in Serampore
Dr.O.L.Snaitang:
Nineteenth
Century
Encounter
with Indian
Society
Dr.Ms. Joan
Dias:
Communicative
Encounters
of Some
Women
Leaders
in the
Transformation
of Society
during the
19th &
20th
Centuries
Dr. Mrs.N.M.
Khandpear:
Impact of
Christianity
on
Socio-Economic
life of
Konkan
Prof. Ms.
Jennifer
Rodrigues:
Socio-Cultural
Background
of Goan
Catholic
Christians
in Mumbai
Dr.Charles
Dias:
Contributionof
the
Portuguese
in the
Development
of Church in
Kerala
Dr.Arthur
Jeyakumar:
Group
Conversion
Movements to
Christianity
in the
Indian
Sub-Continent
Dr.Mrs.Jeanette
Pinto:
Women
Missionaries
and the
Warlis
Prof.George
Menachery:
Aspects of
the Idea of
"Clean and
Unclean"
Among the
Brahmins,
the Jews,
and the St.
Thomas
Christians
of Kerala
Mr.Gerald
Misquitta:
East Indian
Christians
and their
Socio-Cultural
Background
Fr.Cosme
Jose Costa:
Unique Goan
Culture - An
Encounter
with
Christianity
The papers
by Dr.
Kranthi
Farias and
Dr.Bernard
Sami gave
much food
for thought.
Papers by
Bishop Dr.
S.Jebanesan,
Dr.Thomas
Edmund, and
Dr. N.
Bejamin were
not
presented on
account of
their
absence.
Excursions, Walking
Tours,
and Entertaintments
The Western
Branch had
done it
great! The
cruise on
board the
Santa Monica
was
unforgettable
what with
the special
welcome
offered to
CHAI
delegates,
the
scintillating
music, and
the charming
dances. The
Goan folk
music
Manddeea
Magi led by
Mrs. M. H.
Martires was
indeed
exhilerating.
The
compering by
Ms.Jeanette
was peerless.
The
Dinner hosted at
the Fundacao
Oriente by
its director after
the tour of
Panjim will
always
remain in
the memory
of the
participants.
The presence
of
dignitaries
there
including
the
Secretary of
the
Patriarch
will be
remembered
by many. The
visits to
the many
places of
interest in
Goa
including
churches,
seminaries,
and beaches
under the
leadership
of Fr.Aubrey
of Heras,
Fr.Cosme of
Pilar and
Msgr. Correa
of Bassein,
were
enlightening
as well as
edifying.
PROF.
MENACHERY
HONOURED
BY NJ
Community,
USA
Garfield,
NJ,
September 10
2005
The New
Jersy India
community
recently
honoured
Prof. George
Menachery
for his
outstanding
contributions
to
historical
and cultural
studies and
for the
immense
contributions
he has been
making down
the decades
for
spreading
awareness
about Indian
History and
Culture
abroad.
Prof.
Menachery
was in the
US to attend
the Seminar
Conference
on the
History of
Early
Christianity
in India,
jointly
organised by
the
Institute of
Asian
Studies and
the TCK of
NY, held at
Concordia
University,
New York.
Presenting
the plaque
to Prof.
Menachery on
behalf of
the
organisers
V. Rev. Dr.
George
Madathipparambil
the Vicar
General of
the
Syro-Malabar
Diocese of
Chicago made
special
mention of
the manifold
achievements
of the
Professor,
specifically
congratulating
him for
publishing
the
pioneering
work, The
St. Thomas
Christian
Encyclopaedia
of India.
The V.G.
also
commended
his efforts
to establish
various
museums of
history and
culture, and
many
websites, as
well as in
producing a
few
remarkable
TV
documentaries.
P. Joy
Alappatt,
administrator
of the
Garfield
church
welcomed the
gathering
and P. John
proposed a
vote of
thanks.
AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING
CONTRIBUTION IN
THE AREA OF
CULTURE, HISTORY
AND TRADITIONS
OF THE ST.
THOMAS
CHRIDTIANS
Vadavathoor,
Kottayam, Jan.
25, 2005
Today at the St.
Thomas Apostolic
Seminary,
Vadavathoor ,
Kottayam the
Most Rev. Dr.
Soosai Pakiam,
Archbishop of
Trivandrum
presented Prof.
George
Menachery, Chief
Editor of the
STCEI and the
ICHC and author
of various other
works with
the Rev. John
Arancheril Award
2002 for
Outstanding
Contributions in
the Area of
Culture,
History, and
Traditions of
the St. Thomas
Christians. Dr.
George
Madathikkandathil
read out the
citation. Dr.
Thomas Srampikal
the rector of
the St. Thomas
Apostolic
Seminary and Dr.
Joseph
Naduvilezham the
President of the
Paurasthya Vidya
Peedhom
participated in
the function.
The staff and
students of the
Seminary were
present in
addition to the
invited guests.
The award for
2003 was
presented to Dr.
Pius
Malekandathil,
reader, Sri
Sankara Sanskrit
University of
Kalady. The
award being
given from 1998
onwards – in the
first year it
was awarded to
Dr. Xavier
Koodapuzha –
consists of a
cash prize of
Rs. 10001 and a
plaque and
citation.
Bharateeya
DHARMA common
heritage of all
Indians--Cyril
Mar Baselius
Trivandrum,
18th December,
2004.
The great
religious and
cultural
heritage of
India is
the common
heritage of all
Indians and the
Christian
community of
Kerla has been
living all these
centuries
based on this
great heritage,
said Cyril
Mar Baselius,
Archbishop of
Trivandrum
and president of
the
Kerala
Catholic
Bishops'Council
[KCBC].
He was releasing
today at
the Trivandrum
Press Club
Auditorium
Prof. George
Menachery's
book of essays
"GLIMPSES OF
NAZRANEY
HERITAGE",
presenting the
first copy to
Sri. T. N.
Jayachandran,
former
Addl.Chief
Secretary,
Government
of Kerala, and
Vice-Chancellor
of the Calicut
University. The
Christian
culture is in no
way opposed
to the Indian
culture added
Mar Baselius who
was till
recently also
the chairman of
the
Catholic
Bishops'
Conference
of India
(CBCI).
The book
by
Prof.
Menachery
that
deals
with
important
matters
of
current
and long
term
interest
provokes
thought,
provides
knowledge,
and
awakens
experience,
Mar
Baselius
said.
The
Christian
faith
did pave
the
way for
lasting
changes
in
society
and
culture,
he
pointed
out.
These
are
times
when
religion
and
caste
are
emotionally
being
exploited,
said
T. N.
Jayachandran.
Why are
the
Kerala
Christians
of today
reluctant
to
use the
time
honoured
term
'Nazraney'
although
it is a
most
poetic,
simple
and
sweet
expression
Jayachandran
wanted
to
know.
Msgr.
Dr.
Bosco
Puthur
welcomed
the
gathering.Prof.
Menachery
is the
One-Man-Army
in the
field of
Christian
cultural
studies,
Dr.
Puthur
said.
Prof. B.
Hrudayakumari
and Dr.
George Onakkur
spoke at
length about
Kerala culture
and the
Christian
contribution to
it and about
Prof.
Menachery's
contributions in
the field.
Dr. E. J. James
introduced the
book.
Dr. George
Chackassery
proposed a vote
of thanks.
Our services
include
providing
research
assistance and
instruction via
the web, e-mail,
fax, telephone,
mail, and, when
possible, in
person on topics
connected with
India's culture
and religions (esp.Indian
Christianity).
Xerox of
portions of
books and
manuscripts
and copies of
photographs both
in our own
collections and
from other
sources are made
available at a
nominal
cost. This web
site includes a
number of online
research guides
to help you
conduct your
study and
research at a
distance.
Contact:
kunjethy@yahoo.com,
kunjethy13@gmail.com
,
0091487-2352468,
0091487-2354398;
00919846033713,
00919387100181;
www.indianchristianity.com
The Apostolic Nunciature in India,
New Delhi.
His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore
Pennacchio, Titular Archbishop of
Montemarano, is the new Apostolic
Nuntio to India. The following is
the CURRICULUM
VITAE of His Grace:
► His Excellency,
Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio was
born in Marano (Naples) Italy on 7
September 1952.
► He was ordained a priest on 18
September, 1976.
► He holds a Doctorate in
Philosophy and entered into the Diplomatic
Service of the Holy See on 15 April, 1979.
► He served in the
Apostolic Nunciatures in Panama, Ethiopia,
Australia, Turkey, Egypt, Yugoslavia and
Ireland.
► On 28 November, 1998,
he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda.
► On 20 November, 2003,
he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to
Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia, and
Apostolic Delegate in Myanmar, Laos,
Malaysia and Brunei.
►
On 8 May, 2010, he was
appointed apostolic Nuncio to India
Cardinal Gracias and Cardinal Toppo Dedicate
the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of
India to the Nation
GUWAHATI, March 3
The publication of the three volumes of the
St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of
India is a worthy model for the
world Churches and an incomparable
achievement and contribution of the Church
in India, stated Oswald Cardinal Gracias in
Guwahati, dedicating the work to the nation.
The publication of the third and final
volume is something of which the
Encyclopaedia team can be justly proud, but
they should not rest on their oars but must
continue their much needed work of service
to the Church in India today, His Eminence
went on to say. Telespore P. Cardinal Toppo
dedicated the volumes to the world Christian
community. The two Cardinals officially
released the Encyclopaedia by exchanging
copies of the work, in the presence of
Archbishops and Bishops from all over India
and members of the CBCI Commissions.
Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Prof. George
Menachery the Editor of the Encyclopaedia,
and Dr. George Plathottam the secretary of
the CBCI Commission for Media also spoke on
the occasion.
The Encyclopaedia comprises the
contributions of hundreds of well-known
scholars from all over India and abroad.
There are articles on almost every aspect of
Christianity in india, dealing with all
chronological, denominational, and
geographical divisions. The more than
thousand illustrations on art plates, half
of them on full colour art plates, in
addition to the dozens of maps including a
whole Christian and Linguistic atlas of
India, and the graphs, tables, figures, and
sketches go to make the work an exhaustive
reference tool. Each major article is
supported by bibliographies and inclusive
end-notes, making the encyclopaedia an
indispensible reference work for seminaries
and teheological colleges. universities and
colleges, and libraries of ecclesiastical
establishments and headquarters and
formation houses of religious congregations.
The Syro
Malabar Major Archbishop and Cardinal His Eminence Mar
Varkey Vithayathil presents the first ever Syro Malabar
Church Award instituted through the Liturgical Research
Centre for "Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion of Syro
Malabar Heritage", to Chevalier Professor George Menachery,
editor of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia
of India and the Indian Church
History Classics, at Mount St. Thomas,
Kakkanad, Ernakulam, Kochi on 1st Makaram - 14th Jan., 2010,
in the presence of the 36 Bishops and Archbishops of that
Church.
His Eminent Beatitude Mar Vakkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major ArchBishop and Head of the Syro Malabar Church, and President of the CBCI, who was admitted to the hospital Monday night following a heart condition has registered considerable improvement in his condition and has been tranferred from the Ventilator. However His Eminence is still under active medical observation at the Lissie Hospital, Ernakulam. Visitors are strictly prohibited. -SARAS NEWS Cardinal Varkey
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil Critical
The condition of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church, who was admitted to the Lissie Hospital on Monday night after a cardiac arrest, continues to be critical.
He is on life support system after the doctors successfully carried out an angioplasty to remove a major block in the artery, said Fr. Paul Thelekkat, spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Church.
The Cardinal suffered the cardiac arrest on Monday night while he was at the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas Kakkanad. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. The condition of the Cardinal, who is 82-years-old, is reported to be stable,
Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Mar varkey Cardinal Vithayathil honours Prof. George Menachery with a bouquet on the latter's being selected for the first Liturgical Research Centre Award of the Syro Malabar Church. Present on the dais were Bishop Mar James Pazhayattil, Archbishop Mar Andrews thazhath, Bishop Mar Thomas Chakiath, and Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt
Vatican City,
Sept. 19
At Castel
Gandolfo, Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major Arch Bishop and
Head of the Syro - Malabar Church, presents a copy of the third
and final volume of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of
India, the reference work on Christianity in India edited by
Prof. George Menachery, along with the Alphonsa Coin to His
Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
"Heads and Fathers"
of all the Eastern Catholic Churches discuss
future course of action with with Pope Benedict XVI
Vatican city, 19 Sept.
2009:
This morning in Castel
Gandolfo Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil met the Holy Father along
with other Catholic patriacrchs and major archbishops from the
Oriental Churches.
Participating in the
meeting were Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.
and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for
the Oriental Churches, alongside the "Heads and Fathers" of all
the Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with the Bishop of
Rome.
They are: His Beatitude
Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, Patriarh of Antioch of the
Maronites, Lebanon; Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, Patriarch of
Babylon of the Chaldeans, Iraq; Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, Major
Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyc, Ukraine; Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil
C.SS.R.; Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the
Syro-Malabars, India; His Beatitude Antonios Naguib, Patriarch
of Alexandria of the Copts, Egypt; His Beatitude Gregorios III
Laham, Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites, Syria; His
Beatitude Ignace Youssif III Younan, Patriarch of Antioch of the
Syrians, Lebanon; His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX, Patriarch of
Cilicia of the Armenians, Lebanon, Archbishops Major of the
Rumanian and Syro-Malankara Churches and the Latin Patriarch of
Jerusalem.
The Pontiff had Lunch with
the representatives of the Oriental Churches.
During the meeting the Head of the Syro-Malabar
Church Cardinal Vithayathil presented the Holy Father with
heritage articles of the Indian Church viz. the Alphona
Coin and the third and final volume of the St. Thomas Christian
Encyclopaedia of India edited by Prof. George Menachery.
May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a
special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession
and celebration beginning with this July 3rd
itself.
May I humbly request your Grace to go through the following and
take appropriate action if thought fit.
In the circumstances obtaining among the NRK/NRI Syro-Malabar
communities in many Indian and foreign cities the Nazranies hardly get any
chance to get together or to maintain their identity. Hence one possibility is
for them to celebrate the Ormapperunnal of our father St. Thomas the
Apostle with at least a public procession inside the church campus or if
possible outside it, with all the cultural elements of our Pradakhinams
or church processions.
It could be any one of the four types of processions we have -
1.intra-church procession, 2.procession rounding the open-air cross (this won’t
be possible in most cases outside Kerala), 3.procession around the church
building or campus, or 4. procession along the streets or Angadies.
I have found how happy our people are to congregate on such
occasions - whether in the Americas or Europe or the Middle East, especially in
the US and the Gulf, and how proud our people are of our cultural traditions and
individuality.. A Syro- Malabar Mass may be said where ( and only where) the
local hierarch permits it. Otherwise it can be a well attended religio-cultural
event to which there could be no objection from any quarter. Such a programme, I
feel - and am convinced from experience in different parts of the world - could
and will go a long way to unite our people and to hold them together in the
memory of our heritage and roots. AND it could be a first step in many ways.
These Pradakhinams or processions must have as many of the
following elements as possible: 1. A gold(en) processional cross with the red
(or other) sheath. 2.Two silver(y) crosses with sheaths. 3.Many colourful
parasols or umbrellas viz.Muthukkudas. 4. At least one
processional Roopakkoodu to carry the image of St. Thomas &c. typically
decorated. 5.Band sets and typical Kerala Vadyams and Melams including drummers.
6. Fancy fire-works where permissible. 7. Public and common preparation and
distribution of Kozhalappam, Achappam, Unni Appam, Neyyappam, and other
Syro-Malabar confectionaries.
May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special
circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and
celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself.
Thanking Your Grace,
Your Graces’ obedient servant,
Prof. George Menachery.
p.s.Establishing a Bahya Kerala - Bahya Bharata Diocese
for agreeable areas at least must be another priority.
p.p.s. Could we think of a reserve team of priests willing to
serve these communities from time to time on special occasions and to give them
cultural experiences and guidance in the form of seminars, video fests,
power-point talks &c. occasionally?
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On Monday, 20th April 2009 the inmates of Mount St. Thomas including the Major Archbishop Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil together with Their Graces Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, Mar Andrews Thazhath and Their Excellencies Mar Mathew Arackal, Mar Thomas Chakiath, and Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath and the Rev. Sisters belonging to the FCC, CMC and SABS Congregations who had rendered service at Mount St. Thomas and the distinguished guests and Rev. Fathers from the CMI Generalate, MST Media Centre, representative from CNEWA and others somehow connected with the ministry of Fr. Mathew Elappanickal at Mount St. Thomas gathered to bid him farewell during a lunch organized in his honour. Fr. Mathew Elappanickal having completed two terms of as the Finance Officer of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia handed over the reins of administration of the Curia to his successor Fr. Mathew Pulimoottil, from the eparchy of Thamarassery who was serving as the Director of the Pastoral Missionary Orientation Centre and the Procurator of START in the eparchy of Thamarassery. Fr. Antony Kollannur, the Chancellor and the newly appointed Superior of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia welcomed the guests. His Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil in his address summed up the sentiments of everyone present and said that Fr. Mathew Elappanickal has transformed Mount St. Thomas to a beautiful garden, to a family of love for the inmates and a home for anyone who visited it by his amazing hospitable nature. He presented Fr. Mathew with a bronze plaque as a memento of his meritorious service at the curia for the past ten years and wished him further success in his future ministry. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Bishop Mathew Arackal and Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath and Sr. Teresitta, the mother superior of the SH Convent at Mount St. Thomas acknowledged the great service of Fr. Elappanickal and gave expression to the deep gratitude each one of them and the entire Syro-Malabar Church owed to Fr. Mathew Elappanickal. Fr. Mathew Pulimoottil, the newly appointed finance officer introduced himself and assured the gathering that he would be at the service of the Church in this new office with total dedication and commitment. In his reply, Fr. Mathew Elappanickal thanked the gathering for the fine words and expressed his satisfaction that he could serve the Church effectively for the last 10 years as the Finance Officer of the Curia. Fr. Pauly Kannookadan, the Executive Director of LRC, was the Master of Ceremonies and gave the vote of thanks. Fr. Mathew Elappanickal will assume his new office (which is yet to be disclosed) by the middle of May. We wish him continued success in his future ministry in the Archeparchy of Kottayam.
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly has been elected new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) today at Jamshedpur. 
om 1984 to ’85.
