The Tenth Holy Episcopal Synodof the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church concluded

The Tenth Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church that began on 29 November, at the Major Archbishop’s House, Trivandrum concluded on 2 December 2010. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos presided over the Synod. Archbishop His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos, Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Joshua Mar Ignathios, Joseph Mar Thomas, Abraham Mar Julios, Vincent Mar Paulos, Thomas Mar Eusebius, Jacob Mar Barnabas, Thomas Mar Anthonios, Samuel Mar Irenios and Philipose Mar Stephanos were present in the Synod. His Excellency Geevarghese Mar Timotheos, the Bishop Emeritus of Tiruvalla did not attend the Synod due to ill-health. During the Synod His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos, Archbishop of Tiruvalla, who completed his term of five years, was re-elected the Secretary of the Holy Episcopal Synod.

The Holy Episcopal Synod deliberated on topics such as the Major Archiepiscopal Assembly, the restructuring of the Synodal Commissions, the act of promulgation of the Code of Particular Canons of the Syro-Malanakra Catholic Church, rights and obligations of the Curia Bishop, the construction of the Catholicate Centre, the formation of the Permanent Deacons, etc. The pastoral care of the Tamil-speaking Malankara Catholics in Tamil Nadu outside the Eparchy of Marthandom, the possibility of pastoral care of the Malankarites in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia were also discussed. It was decided that the Malankara Catholic Priests’ Meet shall be organized on 1and 2 March 2011 at St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla. The Holy Synod also decided to hold the first Malankara Catholic Assembly from 21 to 23 September 2011, on the occasion of the 81st Re-union Day Celebrations at the Catholicate Centre, in Trivandrum.