Pope Francis Appoints New Roles in Syro-Malankara Catholic Church: Bishop Thomas Anthonios and Father Antony Kakkanatt Assigned New Responsibilities

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Pope Francis Appoints New Roles in Syro-Malankara Catholic Church: Bishop Thomas Anthonios and Father Antony Kakkanatt Assigned New Responsibilities

In a significant ecclesiastical development within the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Pope Francis has announced key appointments and transfers. On May 7, the Pope transferred Bishop Thomas Anthonios Valiyavilayil from the Eparchy of St. Ephrem of Khadki to the Eparchy of St. John Chrysostom of Gurgaon. Concurrently, Father Antony Kakkanatt has been appointed as the Curia Bishop of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, and Father Mathew Manakarakavil has been named the auxiliary of the Trivandrum Major Archdiocese.

Bishop Thomas Anthonios Valiyavilayil, a revered figure within the Order of the Imitation of Christ, has had a distinguished career in the church. Born on November 21, 1955, in Adoor, within the Archieparchy of Trivandrum, he has served the church in various capacities since his perpetual profession in 1980 and priestly ordination later that year.

With a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Bishop Thomas Anthonios has held several significant positions, including Superior of convents, Director of a school in Kottayam, Treasurer, Chaplain, parish priest, Professor at St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary in Trivandrum, and others. He has also contributed as a General Councilor of his Institute and as Postulator for the beatification of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios.

Bishop Thomas Anthonios was first elected Bishop on January 25, 2010, and subsequently consecrated on March 13 of the same year. His appointment as the first Apostolic Exarch of St. Ephrem of Khadki of the Syro-Malankara on March 26, 2015, marked a pivotal moment in his ecclesiastical journey.

The Bishop’s new assignment to the Eparchy of St. John Chrysostom of Gurgaon by Pope Francis is a testament to his exemplary service and leadership within the church.

Father Antony Kakkanatt’s appointment as Curia Bishop and Father Mathew Manakarakavil’s new role as auxiliary of Trivandrum Major Archdiocese further strengthen the leadership within the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, paving the way for continued spiritual growth and ecclesiastical guidance. These appointments reflect the Church’s commitment to nurturing strong leadership and serving the community with renewed vigor and dedication.

DAYA BAI VISITED THE EPARCHY ON WOMAN’S DAY ON BEHALF OF SEVA

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DAYA BAI VISITED THE EPARCHY ON WOMAN’S DAY ON BEHALF OF SEVA

Veteran human activist and social reformer, Daya Bai visited three different groups of women in the Eparchy of St Ephrem, Khadki-Pune on the occasion of Woman’s Day under the auspice of SEVA, the Social Service Society of the Eparchy.

Her interactions with motivating speeches, live role plays and conscientizing deliberations added colour and vigour to the celebration of womanhood this year.

The first gathering was organized for the tribal community living around Khopoli at 10.00 am on 08 March 2022, the Woman’s Day at St. Mary’s School, Kharsundi.

Around 175 women from the surrounding tribal villages actively participated.

The inspiring words of Daya Bai gave courage to them to live proudly on their identity and enthusiasm to ask for their rights and privileges from the Government.

Mrs Kalyani Mohite – Sub Tahasildar Khalapur, Fr Abraham Thanuvelil – Manager, St Mary’s School, Mrs Jini Samuel – Principal, St Mary’s School, Serpanch and Sabhapati of the area were present in the gathering.

The second gathering was conducted on the same day at 5.00 pm for the Malayali Community living in Pune.

The gathering was conducted at St Mary’s Cathedral, Khadki in the presence of Msgr. Varghese Angadiyil – the Protosyncellus, Fr Samuel Thekkekavinal – Director SEVA, Fr Justin Kuzhivilayil – Associate Director SEVA, Rev. Alex Abraham – CSI Pastor and Rev. Sisters from different convents.

Around 85 women participated in the event.

Daya Bai spoke in detail about her journey from the age of 3 years to the special vocation to be with the underprivileged and the afflicted in the society.

Through role plays and a heart-touching song, she brought before the participants, the agony of the Endosulfan victims living in the District of Kasaragod in Kerala.

Her enchanting presence gave a new dynamic meaning for the motherhood of the women, who wholeheartedly accepted her invitation to feel one with the victims through prayers and support.

The third meeting was held at the same venue on the other day at 2.00 pm for the women among the migrant workers and domestic helps.

Around 118 women participated in this enriching programme.

Daya Bai conscientized the women regarding the dignity of labour and the right for fair wages.

The gatherings were co-ordinated by Mr Lijoy K Joseph and Mrs Anu Lijo, who are actively involved in the project management of SEVA.

The visit of Daya Bai is a golden feather in the cap of SEVA, St Ephrem Vikas Ayojan.

– Lijoy K Joseph
News Correspondent

BLESSING OF FOUNDATION STONE FOR A NEW CHAPEL IN KURNOOL MISSION

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BLESSING OF FOUNDATION STONE FOR A NEW CHAPEL IN KURNOOL MISSION

A long-cherished dream of Kurnool Mission to have a Chapel for the liturgical services began to realize slowly with the blessing of the foundation stone for the new chapel on 02 March by Aboon Thomas Mar Anthonios.Srs. Rani Maria SIC and Anett SIC from Pune, Mr Zacharia Pawath and Leni Pawath from Mumbai, Mr KN Sebastian and Mr Manoj Mathai from Hyderabad represented the Eparchy in the ceremony.A small plot for the new chapel was purchased in the village of Kanchupad in Kurnool. Fr Joshua Thekkedath from the Eparchy of Mavelikkara is the present Priest-in-Charge of Kurnool Mission. Srs. Theresa SIC and Piusha SIC from the Bethany Province of Pathanamthitta and Dn. Sebastian Palli, who is doing his Diaconate ministry are actively involved in the mission. Kurnool Mission was initiated and organized by Fr Solomon Raj, belonging to the Missionaries of Precious Blood, who had opted to work in the Missions of St Ephrem, Khadki-Pune for the last 3 years.

PRAYER MEETING CONDUCTED AT KOTHAGUDEM MISSION FOR THE DECEASED PASTOR

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PRAYER MEETING CONDUCTED AT KOTHAGUDEM MISSION FOR THE DECEASED PASTOR

His Excellency Thomas Mar Anthonios visited Palwancha in Kothagudem District, Telangana and led a prayer for the reposed soul of Pastor Dr Shyam Kumar on 1 March 2022. He had left for the heavenly abode on 6 February 2022. He was a zealous missionary who recently joined the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church by receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. He had initiated missionary activities along with the Eparchy of St Ephrem, Khadki-Pune in and around Kothagudem District in Telangana. May his soul rest in peace!

Cardinal Dr. Oswald Gracias President, CBCI

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Cardinal Dr. Oswald Gracias President, CBCI

The Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Dr. Oswald Gracias, has been appointed as the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI). Cardinal Oswald Gracias was re-elected. The new president was elected at the cbci’s biennial conference being held at St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences in Bengaluru.

Malankara Catholic Church, Mavelikkara diocese head , Dr. JOshua Mar Ignathios, has been appointed as the first vice-president of the CBCI. Mar George Naralakkatt, head of the Archdiocese of Thalassery, was re-elected as the second vice president. The term is two years.

Malankara Catholic Mission Niagara Region (Canada)

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Malankara Catholic Mission Niagara Region (Canada)

On November 27, 2021, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission Niagara Region was officially established by the Eparchial Bishop, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos, and His Excellency has appointed Rev. Fr. Aji Varghese as the priest in charge of this Mission. The Coordinator of the Malankara Catholic Missions in Canada and Syncellus of the Eparchy, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Gigi Philip, Rev. Fr. Abraham Lukose, and Rev. Fr. Paul Vellakunnath joined Rev. Fr. Aji Varghese in concelebrating the Divine Liturgy with the Faithful of the Niagara Region at 7:30 PM on November 27th at St. Denis Roman Catholic Church in St. Catherine. After the Holy Qurbono, the community held a brief meeting and agape. The Parish will continue to celebrate the Divine Liturgy every Saturday at 6:30 PM, and English Qurbono will be held on the 4th Sunday of each month. The Eparchy extends its prayerful best wishes to Rev. Fr. Aji and all the Faithful of the Niagara Region.

Blessing of the Daughters of Mary Convent in Houston

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Blessing of the Daughters of Mary Convent in Houston

A new convent of the Daughters of Mary (DM Sisters) was dedicated and inaugurated on November 14, 2021, by the Eparchial Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos in Houston, Texas. The Eparchy extends a warm welcome and prayerful best wishes to the Rev. Sisters.

Visit of Seminarians from St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston

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Visit of Seminarians from St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston

On Sunday, October 31, 2021, Rev. Fr. Eurel Manzano, the Rector of St. Mary’s Seminary of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Fr. Michael Earthman, Director of Liturgical Formation, Fr. Richard Hinkley, Director of Spiritual Formation, Fr Jasper Leejo, Spiritual Father and 31 seminarians from visited St. Peter’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Parish in Houston, Texas, and attended the Holy Qurbono.

Eparchial Day New York

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Eparchial Day New York

The 2021 Eparchy Day celebration was held on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at the St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral in Elmont, New York. The celebrations began with the solemn concelebrated Holy Qurbono at 9:00 a.m. with the Eparchial Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos, the Main Celebrant. The celebration concluded with agape in the Cathedral Hall in which everyone could share the joy of Eparchial fellowship once again.

Synod 2021-2023 North America: For A Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission

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Synod 2021-2023 North America: For A Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission

Pope Francis has approved a new three-stage process for the next gathering of the Synod of Bishops; this process continues his efforts to reform the Catholic Church in accordance with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. His aim is to involve the whole church at diocesan, national and continental levels through a process of “listening and discernment” on the important theme of synodality: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission.”

Pope Francis declared that the synod will open in the Vatican and in every diocese throughout the Catholic world in October 2021. It will begin with a “diocesan phase” (October 2021 until April 2022) and then move to a “continental phase” (September 2022 through March 2023) before concluding in “the universal church phase” at the Vatican with the synod of bishops in October 2023.

The Eparchial Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos formally opened the consultation process in the St. Mary Queen of Peace Eparchy on October 20, 2021, at St. Vincent De Paul Cathedral in Elmont, New York. Please pray for this important work and for the success of the Synod.

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