Pope appreciates Indian Church’s diversity: cardinal-designate

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Pope appreciates Indian Church’s diversity: cardinal-designate

 

Vatican City: The newly appointed cardinal-designate of the Syro-Malankara Church has said that his appointment is a sign of Pope Benedict XVI’s appreciation for Indian Catholics’ “unity in diversity.”

Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, who was appointed as the first ever cardinal of the church on Oct. 24, is in the Vatican City to attend the Synod of Bishops on new evangelization . Addressing the synod on Oct. 13, the 53-year-old prelate focused on the need for the Church to give a practical witness t the Gospel values and ensure that its liturgies are true experiences of prayer.

“Our dear Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata brought to the world, especially to India, a very practical means of evangelization: a witnessing model,” he said. She became the most effective missionary in a land where Christians are only less than 3 per cent of the population, he added.

The cardinal-designate also told the synod that Jesus’ promise of abundant life places an obligation on Christians to defend human life, human dignity and human rights. Meanwhile, half a million faithful across the globe celebrated Major Archbishop Cleemis’ elevation to the rank. Metropolitan Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos of Thiruvalla made the announcement at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Pattom in Kerala. “It’s a historic moment for our church and a great honor. We thank God for this great gift,” he said. “He has always strived to spread the belief of the Church” and to uphold India’s heritage on a global platform. This is “recognition for his great work,” the archbishop added.

Celebrations by the clergy and the laity were marked with prayer sessions, the tolling of church bells and bursting firecrackers. Father Paul Thelakkat, spokesperson for the Syro-Malabar Church, said the new cardinal’s appointment is an acknowledgment of “the vibrancy and diversity of the different rites in the Catholic Church.”

Syro-Malankara is one of the three Catholic rites in India. The other two are Syro-Malabar and Latin rites.

Source: catholicnews.com

Six new Cardinals for the Catholic Church

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Six new Cardinals for the Catholic Church

 

Pope Benedict XVI has announced a consistory for the creation of six new Cardinals. To the joy of pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square for the weekly audience with the Holy Father, he made his announcement at the end of his catechesis. The Cardinals-elect are :

1. Archbishop James Harvey, Prefect of the Pontifical Household;
2. His Beatitude, Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, Patriarch of the Maronite Church;
3. His Beatitude Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Church;
4. Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja Nigeria;
5. Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez, Archbishop of Bogota, Colombia;
6. Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, Philippines.

The consistory will take place November 24th next. With six new members the College of Cardinals will count 122 Cardinals eligible to vote in conclave.

Rev. Fr. Peter Kochery is Honoured by Holy See

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Rev. Fr. Peter Kochery is Honoured by Holy See

 

Rev. Fr. Peter Kochery, the Protosyncellus of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in USA has been honoured by the Holy See by conferring on him the title of Chaplain to His Holiness. This recognition invests on him the title of Rev. Monsignor. This is a special honour for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, especially for the Apostolic Exarchate in USA. The bestowal of this title is an acknowledgement of the exemplary priestly qualities and the meritorious service and leadership that Fr. Peter has been giving to the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in North America.

Rev. Fr. Peter Kochery was born on 5 October 1943 at Thammanimattom. He entered the seminary in 1960 and graduated from Papal Seminary, Pune in 1971. He was ordained priest on 23 October 1970. He served several parishes in the Archieparchy of Thiruvalla for 13 years. He obtained Licentiates in Philosophy & Theology (India), and the Advanced Degree in Systematic Theology (Canada), Certificate in Pastoral Counselling (India), Certificate in Pastoral Practioner in NLP (Canada) and Training of Seminary Formators (Italy).

Rev. Fr. Peter Kochery served as the Diocesan Director of Catholic Students League, Diocesan Consultor and Member of Curia, Rector of Minor Seminary, Diocesan Director of Formation, Editor of Diocesan Publication Aikyadeepam in the Eparchy of Tiruvalla. He served as Pastor in the US and as Parochial Vicar at St. Veronica Howell, USA. He was also the Coordinator/President of Malankara Catholic Missions of North America. Presently he is serving as the Protosyncellus of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in USA.

Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery will be felicitated at a thanksgiving Holy Qurbono at 10.00 am. on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 at the Syro-Malankara Catholic Community gathering in New Jersey.

His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos named as Cardinal

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His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos named as Cardinal

 

Holy Father His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today named Major Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, as Cardinal. The announcement was made at the Vatican and at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum, simultaneously. Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos, Secretary of the Holy Episcopal Synod and Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla, made the announcement at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, in the presence of His Excellency Yoohannon Mar Chrysostom, Bishop of Pathanamthitta and His Excellency Samuel Mar Irenios, Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum. It is for the first time a bishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church receives this title. Cardinal-nominated His Beatitude Baselios Cleemis is at present in Vatican, attending the Synod of Bishops in Rome.  Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters and many faithful who were present during the announcement in the Cathedral received the news with great applauses.

Meet Mar Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, soon to be the youngest Cardinal of the Church – Video

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Meet Mar Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, soon to be the youngest Cardinal of the Church – Video

Since the year 2007, Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal has served as the Major Archbishop of the Syro Malankara Church, and soon the 53 year old will become the youngest cardinal of the Catholic Church.

Benedict XVI announced that Thottunkal will be one of six new cardinals who will be appointed on November 24th. He says it’s a special for the Church, but especially for the Church in India.
BASELIOS CLEEMIS THOTTUNKAL
Major Archbishop of the Syro Malankara Church
“I am very happy and we will continue to support the Holy Father in his work.”

The Syro Malankara Church is an Eastern Church, which is in full communion with the Catholic Church.

BASELIOS CLEEMIS THOTTUNKAL
Major Archbishop of the Syro Malankara Church
“Of course it’s an honor given to the Church in India, specially to Syro Malankara Catholics.”

The Church has roughly 450,000 members, mainly from the Indian state of Kerala, in Southern India.

Courtesy: Romereports.com

Pope Canonises Seven New Saints

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Pope Canonises Seven New Saints

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the World Mission Sunday by canonizing seven new Saints. Jacques Berthieu (France), Pedro Calungsod (Philippines), Giovanni Battista Piamarta (Italy), Marìa Carmelo Sallés y Barangueras (Spain), Marianne Cope (Germany), Kateri Tekakwitha (USA), and Anna Schäffer (Germany) were raised to the honours of the altar, when thousands of pilgrims from around the world gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Benedict, in his message, said that, it was an occasion of great joy that the canonization took place in Rome during the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. As the Church is observing this year as the year of faith, this occasion has a special significance that the canonization took place this year.

The Synod of Bishops appreciated Logos Quiz

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The Synod of Bishops appreciated Logos Quiz

 

The Logos Quiz caught the special attention of the Synod of Bishops which is progressing in Rome. The Synod of Bishops in Rome acknowledged and appreciated Logos Quiz as a very innovative method of evangelization. His Beatitude Baselios Cleemis Catholicos of Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum presented Logos Quiz as the Kerala model of New Evangelization during the common discussion of the Synod of Bishops. All the Synod members received with a great applause and the appreciation became a great acknowledgement and a great reward for the Logos Quiz for its effort for the last 12 years.

His Beatitude said that the success of logos quiz with 5,61,000 participants is a model to the Universal Church. Logos Quiz is a unique contribution of Kerala Church to the Universal Church. The representatives from many countries are enquiring about the Logos Quiz which is being organised under the leadership of KCBC Bible Commission and Kerala Catholic Bible Society. We hope that the achievement of Kerala Church in spreading the Word of God will become a Universal triumph, if the mode of Quiz will be changed according to the cultural need of each country. His Beatitude said that Kerala Church is ready to share the knowledge and experience of this programme. Msgr. Dr Nichola Ethrowich, Secretary General of the Synod, in the concluding speech made a special mentioning about the Logos Quiz that it is a new model of evangelization. His Baselios Cleemis Catholicos gave the brief handout regarding the Logos Quiz, prepared by the KCBC Bible Commission to all the participants of the Synod.

Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission Inaugurated in Los Angeles

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Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission Inaugurated in Los Angeles

 

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission was officially inaugurated in Los Angeles on 14 October 2012 by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Bishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in USA. Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Mambrakatt is appointed as the Priest-in-Charge of this mission. His Excellency and Rev. Fr. Kuriakose celebrated the Holy Qurbono with the faithful in Los Angeles at 10 a.m. on 14 October at the chapel of the Mary Knoll Sisters in Monrovia, and the mission was officially inaugurated. After the Holy Qurbono the community gathered at the Covent of the Daughters of Mary in Glendora for a meeting and agape. During the meeting, His Excellency announced that regular Sunday Holy Qurbono for this Mission will be held at 10 a.m. at the Chapel of the St. Patrick’s Church, North Hollywood.

Rev. Fr Philip Kottoopally called to eternal rest

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Rev. Fr Philip Kottoopally called to eternal rest

 

Rev. Fr Philip Kottoopally of Eparchy of Bathery of the Syro-Malankara Catholic church, was called to eternal rest on 11 October 2012.  He was 64 years old. Fr. Philip was the son Sri K.N Joseph, Kotoopally, Vennikulam. He served in several parishes in the Eparchy of Bathery.  He also served as Chancellor, Corporate Manager, and Spiritual Director of the Seminary. The funeral ceremony will be held at St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, Mailadumpotty, on Monday 15 October 2012. His Excellency Joseph Mar Thomas will officiate the funeral ceremony. May His Soul Rest in Peace.

Observation of the Year of Faith started

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Observation of the Year of Faith started

 

Pope Benedict XVI declared the Year of Faith in the Catholic Church on the Golden Jubilee day of Second Vatican council on 11 October 2012. It started with the celebration of Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Square. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was the Chief celebrant. Cardinals, Patriarchs, Major Archbishops and Bishops from different parts of the world concelebrated with the Pontiff, especially from Kerala, His Eminence Cardinal George Alanchery, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, His Excellency Dr. Stanley Roman, Bishop of Kollam, and His Excellency Mar Joseph Kallarangattu Bishop of Pala. His Grace Dr. Thomas Kaliyanil Archbishop of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in Africa, who hails from Kerala, was also among the concelebrants. Seventy Bishops among the participants of the Second Vatican Synod are still alive and out of this, 14 Bishops were present at this historical moment.

The function began with the procession of 400 Bishops who came from the different parts of the world as participants of the Synod. This reminded of the inaugural procession of the Second Vatican Synod represented by 2000 Bishops. After the procession the dedication of the Holy Bible, which was used in the Second Vatican Council, was solemnly done. The Year of Faith will be concluded on 24 November 2013.

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