The Chief Guest, on the 66th Commemoration Of Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the servant of God was the Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Egypt, Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak Gad Elsayad Bava. Bava was accorded a warm welcome at the Pattom Cathedral. Abraham Mar Julios Thirumeni, representing the Catholicos, received the Coptic Catholic Patriarch with a garland. He then offered prayers at the Aramana Chapel. The chief vicar general of Major Atibhadrasana, Thiruvananthapuram. Mon Dr. Mathew Manakarakavuvil Corepiscopa, Mon. Dr. Varkey Attuppuram Achan, Mother General, Provincial Superiors, Priests, Sisters, Seminary Students and laity were present.
7th UK Regional Convention in Wolverhampton
Birmingham (England): The 7th Convention of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church UK Region was held in Wolverhampton, England on June 22 and 23, 2019. Archbishop Of Birmingham Bernard Longley inaugurated the convention. In his inaugural address, the Archbishop mentioned that the ecclesiastical ministry performed by the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church in the Global Catholic Church is of great importance and that the services initiated by Archbishop Mar Ivanios Metropolitan, a servant of God, are a model for the whole world. “I am very happy with the services that the Malankara Church is performing in England and especially in the Archdiocese of Birmingham,” he said, adding that the life of faith, liturgical heritage, family prayer and faith training should continue here and thereby children and young people should be attained in Jesus Christ.
The apostolic visitor, who represented Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, presided over the function. He urged believers to strive to build family and church life with the same mind on the model of the triune God.
Venerable Yuhanon Mar Theodosius Thirumeni presided over the function. The convention began with a mass. He led the prayer and study based on the theme ‘Families filled with grace’. V. Rev. Sehion, UK Director for the worship and Fr. Soji Olikal took the lead.
Malankara Syrian Catholic Church England Regional Coordinator. Fr. Thomas greeted everyone with a welcome. Families from sixteen mission centers participated in the convention.
Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Timotheos, Bishop Emeritus of Thiruvalla Passed Away
His Excellency Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Timotheos Chundevalel (91) Bishop Emeritus of Thiruvalla Archdiocese, passed away on Tuesday 4 June, 2019 at 3.15 am at Pushpagiri Medical College, Thiruvalla, Kerala. Funeral will be held on Thursday, 6 June, 2019 at St. John’s Cathedral, Thiruvalla.
He was born on 2 February 1928, as the first son of Rev. Father Jacob Chundevalel and Annamma at Amayannoor, Kottayam District. He completed his primary school education at Amayannoor, middle school education at Itty Memorial School, Manarcadu, and high school education at St. Mary’s School, Kidangoor. The family of Fr. George Chundevalel made their profession of Catholic faith when he was studying in the third forum.
He joined the minor seminary of the Eparchy of Thiruvalla in 1943. Having completed his minor seminary life, he was sent to Papal Seminary in Candy for philosophical and theological studies. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Stem on 24 August 1953. He was appointed vicar of parishes of Kothamangalam and Nellimattom. He pursued his studies at Gregorian University in Rome and obtained Master’s Degree in Spiritual Theology. He was appointed the Rector of the Minor Seminary in 1967, where he served for 13 years. In 1980 he was appointed Vicar of the Cathedral. His Excellency Isaac Mar Yoohanon, the fourth Bishop of Tiruvalla appointed Fr. George as the Proto-Syncellus of the Eparchy in 1984.
At the demise of His Excellency Isaac Mar Yoohanon in 1987, Fr. George was elected the administrator of the Eparchy. Later the Holy See appointed him the Bishop of Thiruvalla, and ordained Bishop by His Grace Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios on 6 August 1988 at St. John’s Cathedral. He served as the Secretary of the Kerala Catholic Bishop’s Council (KCBC). He had been the Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) in 1994. On 29 March 2003 the Holy See accepted the resignation his resignation from active episcopal ministry at the age of 75. He is a priest for 65 years and a Bishop for 30 years.
Memorial Prayer for those who died in Sri Lanka attacks
Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos led the commemorative prayer held at Kottarakkara for those who died in the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka as per the call by KCBC.
Pope Francis arrives in Abu Dhabi for historic visit
Pope Francis, the great shepherd of the global Catholic Church, arrived in Abu Dhabi with a message of love for peace and brotherhood. This is the first time in history that a pope has visited the Arabian peninsula. The Pope and his delegation, who arrived at the Presidential Airport at 11.30 pm (IST), were received by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance. The pope will be accorded an official welcome at the presidential palace this afternoon.
Pope Francis will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the International Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the head of the Malankara Catholic Church from Kerala, is attending this conference. The Pope’s mass will be held at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi at 10.30 am tomorrow. Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar Church, and Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, Dr. Paul Hinder will also be accompanying the Pope in the divine sacrifice. The Pope is on a three-day official visit to Abu Dhabi.
Annual Review Conference of the Synod Commission for Vocations
The annual review conference of the Synod Commission for Vocations was held at Pattom Catholicate Center on February 1 and 2, 2019. The chairman of the commission, His Beatitude Samuel Mar Irenaeus Catholicos, presided over the meeting and gave the opening address. The co-adjutor bishop of Alappuzha Diocese, His Grace James Raphael Anaparampil Catholicos, led the classes. A total of 28 people, including priests and sisters from various dioceses, participated in the meeting. The commission secretaries, Rev. Dr. John Kuttiyal Achan, welcomed the participants, and Rev. Dr. Sister. Ardra presented the SIC report. The meeting concluded at noon on February 2.
34th World Youth Conference concludes
Panama City: The 34th World Youth Conference 2019, held in Panama, concluded on January 27, 2019. On the concluding day, Pope Francis presided over the mass offered at the open stage of the Metro Park. In his message, the Holy Father exhorted the youth to be vigilant against the temptation created by the Internet and mobile phones, and that the youth should be immersed in social life, saying that the youth are the future of today, not tomorrow’s. Over 7 lakh youth from 155 countries, including India, participated in the event.
MCYM National Golden Jubilee concluded
Mavelikara: The Malankara Catholic Youth Movement (MCYM) National Golden Jubilee and Global Meet was held at Punnamoodu Cathedral in Mavelikara Diocese on January 19 and 20, 2019. The event was inaugurated by His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos.
MCYM National President Tinu Kuruvila presided over the event. His Grace Joshua Mar Ignatius delivered the blessing message. The chairman of the Malankara Catholic Youth Commission, His Grace Vincent Mar Paul, delivered a message.
His Grace Yuhannon Mar Chrysostom extended his greetings. On the occasion, former leaders were honored. Rev. Fr. Sebastian John Kizhakkeethil, Rev. Fr. Philip Ithayanavil, and Rev. Fr. Dennis Mukulampurath also spoke at the event.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the new President of FABC
Federation of Asian Bishop’s Conference held at Bangkok from 16 – 17 November 2018 elected His Eminence Cardinal Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar, Yangon) as its new President. His Excellency Yoohanon Mar Theodosius was delegated by Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop Catholicos, for this meeting. His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracious was the former President.
There were 16 Bishops from various Asian countries attended the meeting.
St. Mary’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission in Singapore
A new mission has been formed in Singapore for the believers of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church. The group will be known as ‘St. Mary’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission in Singapore’. The announcement was made during the maiden visit of His Holiness Yuhanon Mar Theodosius, The Curia bishop of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church and apostolic visitor to Europe and Oceania, with the blessings of Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos. The decision was taken at the first Malankara Syrian Catholic Church meeting held together at the Singapore Choice Retreat Centre on November 6 and 7, 2018. So far, about 60 Malankara Syrian Catholic families have been traced.
