News Digest

Palayur Mahatheerthadanam

Ivan Cardinal Dias of Bombay will lead the fourth Trichur Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Palayur - popularly known as the Palayur Mahatheerthadanam - on the first of April this year. Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy of Trichur, vice-president CBCI, presently taking rest in New Jersy after a heart treatment in New York will it is hoped be back in time to accompany the Archbishop of Bombay along with Bishop Mar James Pazhayattil of Irinjalakuda, Bishop Mar Paul Chittilappilly of Thamarassery, Bishop Mar Pastor Neelankavil of Sagar, and other prelates. Palayur on the shores of the Arabian Sea by the way is an ancient cradle of christianity in India where Apostle St. Thomas it is believed worked many miracles in the first century A.D. The Mahatheerthadanam commences every year from the famous Lourdes Cathedral of Thrissur and proceeds on foot to Palayur more than thirty kilometres towards the sea coast.

Chicago Syro-Malabar Diocese : Jacob Angadiyath First Bishop

Fr. Jacob Angadiyath, director Chicago Syro-Malabar Mission for some time, hailing from Periyappuram parish of the Diocese of Palai, has been nominated first bishop of the newly erected Diocese in the United States for the Syro-Malabarians of Chicago.

The appointment of the new bishop was announced at 1530 IST simultaneously from the Vatican and the Cardinal House at Ernakulam.

The new diocese is officially designated the St. Thomas Diocese for the Syro-Malabarians of Chicago, a communique says.

Bishop Angadiyath will also be the permanent Apostolic Visitor of the Syro-Malabar Catholics of Canada, adds the News Service.

Of the 60,000 odd Syro-Malabar Catholics in the U.S. some 1500 families reside in the Chicago area. There are more than 5000 SMCs in Canada.

Asked about the Syro-Malabar presence in Chicago Prof. George Menachery, editor stcei, recalled with pleasure the warm atmosphere of fraternity that he could notice in Chicago among Syro-Malabar Catholics and among all Christians of the area when he visited them in 1984 and 1993 . The great christian openness of Bishop Bernardin was an important element in the glowing ecumenical spirit of the Chicago area, which the editor had personally experienced during the American Bishops' Council meeting in Atlanta, Ga. in 1972 when Bp. Bernardin was its secretary general.

Vithayathil, Ivan Dias elevated Cardinals

Ernakulam Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil embraces Pope John Paul II after the former being elevated cardinal at St. Peters Basilica, Rome.

Mar Varkey Vithayathil, the supremo of Syro-Malabar Church and Major Archbishop of Eranakulam, and Mar Ivan Dias, Archbishop, Mumbai, have been elevated Cardinals along with 35 bishops from 27 countries at an investiture ceremony held at St. Peters Basilica, Rome on 21 February. Pope John Paul II was the main celebrant in the ceremony, which was attended by bishops, priests and thousands of believers from across the world. With this, the number of cardinals has gone up to 184, a record in the history of the Catholic Church. However, only 134 of them (who are below eighty) have the voting right to elect Pope.

Newly-elevated Cardinals

Pope Installs 44 New Cardinals

ROME, Feb. 21 — Pope John Paul II today installed 44 new cardinals, the largest number at one time in history, in a ceremony that mingled rich pageantry with the solemn purpose of molding the institution that will someday pick his successor. This included two from India including Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil from Ernakulam, Kerala, who is the Major-Archbishop of the ancient Syro-Malabar Church of the St.Thomas Christians. The Archbishop of Bombay (Mumbai), India was another so honoured.

After the cardinals, dressed in their new scarlet robes, recited in unison an oath of obedience and fidelity to the pope and his successors in Latin, John Paul II received them one by one at his golden throne, handing them as they knelt before him the red biretta, a silk square-ridged hat that symbolizes their rank as "princes of the church."

Cardinal Avery Dulles, 82, a Jesuit theologian at Fordham University was last, and he briefly dropped his biretta as he rose.

For a few, the honor was mainly a papal reward for a lifetime of service. Cardinal Dulles, the first American theologian to be made a cardinal, is one of three others who are over 80 and therefore ineligible to vote in a conclave.

The color red traditionally symbolizes a cardinal's willingness to shed his blood to defend the faith. Today, the pope put it another way.

"Is this color not a symbol of the passionate love for Christ?" he asked the cardinals in his homily. "In that flaming red is there not the ardent fire of love for the church which must nurture in you the readiness, if necessary, to even the supreme testimony of blood, `usque ad effusionem sanguinis,' as the ancient formula says?"

Not all accepted the biretta and the red skullcap — known as the zucchetto — that is worn beneath it. In a rare departure from tradition, three cardinals from Eastern-rite churches loyal to Rome kept on their own headgear.

Cardinal Husar is a Ukrainian native and an American citizen who is archbishop of Lvov and head of the Eastern rite Ukrainian Greek Catholic church. Like the pope's plan to visit Ukraine in June, the change in Vatican protocol was a sign of John Paul's desire to fortify Catholic churches in Eastern Orthodox countries.

But by bringing the number of voting cardinals up to 135, well above the limit of 120 set by Paul VI, the pope seems to be giving conclusive shape to the college which will elect the next pope. At the very least, he has ensured that he will not need to name any new cardinals for several years, though in naming 37 in January, and then adding an additional seven the following week, the pope once again proved that he does not feel tightly bound by tradition and precedent.

John Paul II has named all but 10 of the 135 voting cardinals, and his were chosen in part because they espouse his traditionalist views. But his selections also were desigend to bring greater geographical and ethnic diversity to an institution once dominated by Italians. Two of the new cardianls are from India, two from Africa, and 11 s are from Latin America. Third World cardinals now make up 41 percent of the college.

The choice of one new European cardinal, Karl Lehmann, a progressive who at times has battled Vatican orthodoxy, suggested a different motive.

Cardinal Lehmann heads the German bishops conference, which has resisted the pope's directives on abortion counselling centers and denying sacraments to divorced parishioners. Passed over in previous consistories, Cardinal Lehman was at last included in the pope's postscript nomination of seven cardinals. The pope may have elevated him partly to reassure restive Catholics that they too will have a voice in the next conclave.

Devastating earthquake in Gujarat

January 26, 2001

By this time you might have come to know about the devastating killer earthquake that rocked the state of Gujarat especially Kutch and Saurashtra that comprise the Diocese of Rajkot at 8.48 a.m. on 26 January 2001. The epicenter of this earthquake is 20 km away from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kutch District. The quake struck Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Surat, Surendranagar and neighbouring villages with devastating effect. But the death toll is less compared to the District of Kutch. A lot of buildings collapsed. Even though the official death toll at present is 20,000, a preliminary survey of the area shows more than 1,00,000 people were perished and about 1,00,000 people are injured and it has affected the life of population of 1.5 million people in Kutch District. Bhuj, Bhachau, Anjar, Rapar, Gandhidam and its surrounding villages are the worst affected. Most of the houses are flattened in this area. Electricity and Communication systems are completely out of order. The loss of property will amount to thousands of crores of rupees. The exact magnitude of the destruction is yet to be assessed.

By the grace of God all the priests and nuns working in the Diocese are safe. Some of them had miraculous escape. The school buildings, convents, boarding houses, hospitals and other institutions in the Diocese are completely or partially destroyed. The Diocese has an estimated loss of about Rs. 8 crores.

The relief work and the recovery of the dead bodies have just started by Government and NGOs. Thousands of people are still trapped under the debris of the collapsed buildings. Right equipments and immediate action could have saved the lives of many people.

The Diocese is actively involved in relief work through its personnel and institutions. Many other dioceses and institutions are collaborating in the relief work with their personnel and materials. We are primarily providing medical care, food materials and temporary shelter to the victims. We have already set up camps in Bhachau, Gandhidham, Bhuj and Raidhanpar and are going in groups to the needy affected areas.

We have planned:

Relief programmes

To put up relief camps in as many places as possible
Clearing the debris
Provide food materials and drinking water
Medical care to the people
To provide clothing, cooking utensils and temporary shelters

Rehabilitation Programmes

Construction of houses for people
Health centers in the villages
Creating minor job opportunities
Provide seeds and agricultural implements to the farmers
Awareness programme
Formation of people’s organizations like S.H.G.
Repair of the partially damaged institutions
Reconstruction of the destroyed institutions.

At this time of unprecedented calamity I request your prayers for the departed souls and for the consolation for the surviving suffering people. I appeal to you to help us in whatever way you can to provide immediate relief to the victims, to rehabilitate them with houses and to reconstruct the damaged institutions.

With my prayerful good wishes,

Yours devotedly in our Lord

Gregory Karotemprel CMI
Bishop of Rajkot

N.B. Your contributions may be sent to me in favour of Navjeevan Trust Reg. No. E-645.

Rt. Rev. Gregory Karotemprel C.M.I, Bishop’s House, P.B.No.1
Kalawad Road, Rajkot – 360 005, Gujarat – India.

For mail transfer Navjeevan Trust - Account No. 6000

Address

The Federal Bank Ltd.
P.B. No. 141
962-6, Dharmendra Road
Rajkot 360 001
Gujarat, India

Vithayathil, Ivan Dius Cardinals

Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil

Archbishop
Mar Ivan Dius

Kochi, January 22: Mar Varkey Vithayathil, Major Arch Bishop of Eranakulam diocese and Supreme head of Syro-Malabar Church, and Mar Ivan Dius, Arch Bishop of Mumbai were elevated Cardinals by Pope John Paul II.
An announcement to that effect was made at the St. Peters Basilica at Rome on Sunday.
The order was read out at Eranakulam St. Mary's Basilica also by Mar James Pazhayattil, Bishop of Iringalakuda Diocese.

Along with the two Indian Bishops, 35 Bishops from other countries were also appointed Cardinals. Their investiture will be held in Rome on February 21.

Mar Vithayathil (73) is the third Cardinal from Syro Malabar Church. The other two were Cardinal Parakkattil and Cardinal Padiyara.

The Cardinal-designate Mar Vithayathil son of Late Justice Joseph and Thressiama was born in 1927 at North Parvoor in Eranakulam district. He was ordained a missionary priest on June 12 1954. On December 18, 1996, Vithayathil was nominated titular Bishop of Antinoe and the Apostolic Administrator of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Arch-diocese of Eranakualm-Ankamaly. Consecrated bishop in Rome on January 6, 1997. Elevated Arch Bishop on December 23, 1999.
Another Cardinal-designate Arch Bishop Ivan Dius (65), native of Bandra in Western Mumbai, was ordained priest in 1958. After two years pastoral service in Mumbai, he joined Vatican Foreign (Diplomacy) Service and had worked in several countries as Vatican Ambassador. He was consecrated Mumbai Arch Bishop in 1997.

THE CRADLE OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA

A definitive publication entitled KODUNGALLUR THE CRADLE OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA was released today 10th Jan. 2001 at the MarThoma Pontifical Shrine Azhicode-Kodungallur by the Archbishop of Cologne (Koln) His Eminence Joachim Cardinal Meisner.

It is authored by Prof. George Menachery and P. Werner Chakkalakkal CMI. Dr. Sebastian Athapilly, Provincial Superior of Devamatha invited His Eminence to release the book giving some introduction to the Shrine where the relics of Apostle St. Thomas was brought in 1953 by Eugene Cardinal Tisserant. Fr. J.B. Puthur welcomed the honoured guest. After venerating the Relics of the Apostle the Cardinal and party were taken to the mouth of the river near opening onto the Arabian Sea in a specially got up boat. Elaneer, Cashewnuts, and otherr Indian delicacies were served during the cruise. The Cardinal presented a locket depicting St. Thomas with the three Magii as depicted in the Cologne Cathedral for the shrine.

The book "Kodungallur: The Cradle of Christianity in India" describes the unique position of Kodungallur in the Mission of St. Thomas in India in the light of the latest historical, archaeological, numismatic, anthropological, and geographical researches.

Summary of 'Hinduvata churches' by Narendra Pani,The Economic Times,13,Oct.2000

Sarsangachalak Mr.Sudarshan's call to develop swadeshi church will add oil to the fire of controversies and troubles.It is a consistent ideology of the Sangh to mix religion with nationalism.The RSS would prefer a church of India as in the case of Britain 's church of England.The idea may not be palatable to Indian Christians.In the event of X'ans rejecting the demand, the RSS can question the nationalist crendentials.That would give an opportunity to mobilize Hindus.But the RSS has limitations in building such a movement on negative sentiments.

The Ramajanmabhoomi movement grew when there was an offical antipathy to the link between religion and politics.The perception was oblivious to the ground reality as the link clearly existed at the grassroots level.It proved to be a platform to gather all saw a role for religion in politics.If anti Christian campaign is to succced,the RSS is in need of such spiritually inclined Hindus who keep their beliefs close to the heart.They may not support the RSS to hit Christians on a negative sentiments,unlike last time when there was a positive agenda

RSS trying to alienate minorities

NEW DELHI, OCT. 9. The Congress(I) Working Committee member, Mr. Arjun Singh, today attacked the RSS chief, Mr. K. S. Sudarshan, for his address at Nagpur, calling it a ``blatant infringement of the Constitutional guarantee to citizens to practice and preach their religion in the manner and mode they choose''. Addressing reporters this afternoon, Mr. Singh, chairman of the AICC minority affairs department, said the ``RSS through systematic and concerted propaganda was trying to create a sense of alienation in the minds of the minorities''.

He accused the BJP-RSS combine of indulging in doublespeak, voicing contradictory and motivated sentiments to mislead people. ``Such indiscreet and irresponsible statements will only help the forces which are trying destroy the secular credentials of our country,'' he added. Calling upon the people to protect the country's secular and liberal ethos at all costs, the Congress(I) leader said the Sangh Parivar's machinations must be stopped if the nation was to avoid a serious identity crisis.

Lauding the immense contribution made by the Christians and the Muslims towards the nation's development, he said the ``RSS which claims to be the saviour of nationalism tries to create a wedge between various sections of society by distorting historical facts''.

The Muslims were second to none in protecting the nation's secular fabric of the country and their contribution during the freedom struggle was immense. Pointing out that the Muslims' commitment to India could not be questioned, he said, ``it is most unfortunate that the RSS now tries to set conditions for accepting their credentials.''

The Christian missionaries had been working in the field of education, health and social development for long and ``their contribution towards national development can never be questioned''.

Copyrights: 2000 The Hindu & Tribeca Internet Initiatives Inc.

Some Responses and Reactions to the RSS call to 'Indianise' or 'Nationalise' CHRISTIANITY on the CHINESE MODEL:

Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil, President Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council:
"We've to read more into this. This is part of an agenda. They (RSS) are paving the background for the much talked about constitution amendment to interfere in the fundamental rights."-- NIE, 10th Oct.

State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist):
"The attempt of the RSS-BJP nexus to divide the churches in India into "Indian" and "Foreign" in devilish and baseless, and not at all scientific."--The Mathrubhoomi Daily.

Major Archbishop Varkey Vithayathil:
"As far as we are concerned Churches are Swadeshi in every country. Faith is something beyond territories and nationalities."

Msgr.Joseph Kakkassery, VG, Trichur agrees:
"There is no reason for anyone to doubt the commitment of christians to the motherland." Fr. Abraham Adappur, Dr.Paul Thelakkatt, Fr.Vincent Kundukulam, Rev.P.S.Philip, Pastor V.C.Itty, Rev.Dr.Sam Matthew....have been quoted by the English newspaper NIE

RSS advocates ‘swadeshi’ churches
Cites Orthodox Syrian, Mar Thoma as role models

Please e-mail your views using the feedback button
RSS advocates CHINA model National or SWADESHI Churches for India

Cites Orthodox Syrian and Mar Thoma Churches of Kerala as Role Models

RSS Chief Sudershan has demanded Indian Christians to prove their patriotism and loyalty to the country by severing all their ties and connections with all foreign Churches and Missionaries, reports the largest circulated Indian Daily Manorama from New Delhi.

This is sure to start a new controversy among Christians in India and perhaps this provoking statement is meant just to that end.

RSS Chief Sudarshan made this statement defining the RSS official line at the RSS headquarters at Nagpur during the Vijayadashami Public Meeting.

The New Indian Express reports some more details. Intensifying its campaign against foreign missionaries working in India the RSS has asked Christians to free themselves from the clutches of foreign churches and set up a "swadeshi church" along the lines of China where the church has broken all ties with the Vatican and has affirmed its commitment to that country.
RSS (Rashtriya Swayam Sevak) Chief K.S. Sudershan, in his maiden address to the RSS Dussehra rally in Nagpur - commonly perceived as a forum for laying down the organisation's policy - maintained on Sunday that while majority of Christians were patriotic, the foreign missionaries have wreaked havoc with the unity and integrity of the country. He, in fact, acused them of hatching a political conspiracy to destabilise the nation.

Sudershen asked the Christians in India to take the initiative by setting up their own church on the lines of the Orthodox Syrian church and the Mar Thoma church in Kerala.

WHAT IS THE SWADESHI WAY ACCORDING TO RSS?

Christian Missionaries 'divisive' - hence Swadeshi churches as in China needed.
Leftists and the "Euro Indians" including the English media, look at India through the eyes of Western countries.
Baptist Mission is working overtime for creating an independent state in Tripura.
Indianise ISLAM. "If Muslims (followers of Islam) in Indonesia can put their faith in Ram and Krishna, why not in India."
Swadeshi' only alternative to curb multi-nationals. World Bank, IMF, WTO are exploitative.

Please e-mail your views using the feedback button

Msgr. George Kochery Consecrated Archbishop

Mon. George Kocherry, apostolic nuncio-designate to the African states of Ghana and Tongo was consecrated as archbishop of at Changanassery today, This is for the first time after 73 years that such a ceremony was held at Changanassery

The Episcopal ordination ceremonies commenced with the arrival of the archbishop-designate to the hexagonal sanctuary, specially constructed for the purpose, on the premises of St. Mary's Metropolitan Church. He was accompanied by the archbishop of Changanassery, Mar Joseph Povathil, principal consecrator of the ceremony, archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, apostolic nuncio in India, archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, delegate of Papal Representation and other archbishops, bishops and priests.
Nearly 30 bishops and priests from all over India participated as co-consecrators in the ceremonies which commenced at 2 pm. The second stage of the ceremonies commenced after the reading out of the bula, or papal decree, on the elevation of Mon. Kocherry as archbishop of Othona in the UK.
The ceremonies come to an end with the newly ordained archbishop offering the Holy Qurbana along with other bishops. After the ceremonies were over, a public reception was accorded to the archbishop. Mar Varkey Vithayathil, major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, inauguratd the meeting. Mr. PK Narayana Paniker, General Secretary, NSS, bishops from various dioceses, Mr. CF Thomas and Dr. KC Joseph MLAs, leaders from various walks of life extended felicitation on the occasion.

(Courtesy: The Hindu)

THOMAPEDIA, the exhaustive Marthoma Nazraney Encyclopaedia releases
on 12 July 2000

THOMAPEDIA
Preview by H. G. CYRIL MAR BASELIOS, Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum and PRESIDENT, CBCI

We are all privileged to have an enlarged edition of the Kerala Volume of the St.Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India. The publication is of course a long felt need of the Mar Thomas Christians in India and especially of Kerala, which will fill a major gap for reference material on Indian Church History. For those who seek the history of Christianity in India and its ancient culture, liturgy, customs etc. this Reference Volume will be an excellent source of deep knowledge and information. This publication is indeed a very valuable document in the field of history of Christianity in India. The articles in the Encyclopaedia have been contributed by
brilliant and widely accepted scholars.
----Cyril Mar Baselios

Alan de Lastic laid to rest
Finding solace from the message "In the death, life is changed, not ended", written across the makeshift altar for the funeral service of Archbishop Alan de Lastic, mourners who attended the ceremony here this afternoon bid farewell to the man known as "the Smiling Shepherd."

Though it was a working day, people from all walks of life and faiths turned up at St. Columba's School grounds to accompany the Archbishop on his final journey, which began at 3 p.m. Hundreds of priests and 60 bishops took part in the procession to the makeshift altar from the adjacent Sacred Heart Cathedral After the Mass, attended by the Union Communications Minister, Mr.
Ram Vilas Paswan, condolence messages were read out and prominent persons offered condolences to the clergy and laity of
the Archdiocese. Later, the body was taken back to the Sacred - Heart Cathedral for burial in the church premises.

Message from Pope John Paul-II was read out. The President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, who visited the Cathedral in the morning to
pay homage, the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, and the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, also paid floral tributes earlier in the day.

The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia

The Organizing Committee, the Panel of Editorial Consultants, the Editorial Advisory Board, and the Staff of
The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India cordially invite your presence at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, Ernakulam on the occasion of the releasing of Thomapedia, the enlarged millennium edition of the Kerala Volume of the Encyclopaedia, at a function presided over by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan by His Exalted Grace Mar Varkey Vithayathil Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church

at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the 12th July, 2000 presenting a copy to His Grace Cyril Mar Baselios Archbishop of Trivandrum and President, CBCI after the lighting of the Margadeepam by Mar Joseph Pawathil Archbishop of Changanachery. His Grace Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy Archbishop of Trichur and Vice-President, CBCI will deliver the Anugrahaprabhashanam. Dr. M. G. S. NARAYANAN will give the KEY-NOTE address.

Atal Behari Vajpayee, arrives in Rome

The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, arrived in Rome today with a specific agenda to enhance bilateral economic and political relations. India and Italy have had significant bilateral engagements since 1995 and the latest prime ministerial visit seeks to consolidate that relationship.
The last-minute inclusion of a meeting with Pope John Paul II has added another dimension to Mr. Vajpayee's visit. With the recent attacks on Christians in India, there has been considerable concern in the western world about the safety and security of minority communities in India and Mr. Vajpayee is expected to personally convey his assurances to the Pope during his one-to- one meeting on Monday morning. --The-Hindu

THOMAPEDIA

'Thomapedia' the exhaustive Mar Thoma Nazraney Encyclopaedia - the enlarged MILLENNIUM edition of the Kerala volume of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India - will be released at the Mt. St.Thomas, Kakkanad, Ernakulam on 12th July 2000 by His Exalted Grace Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil at a function presided over by HH Marthoma Baselios Matthews II Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan.

Dr. M.G.S.Narayanan, noted historian, will deliver the key-note address.

HG Cyril Mar Baselios, Archbishop of Trivandrum and acting president of the CBCI will light the MARGA DEEPAM. HG Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, Archbishop of Trichur will deliver Anugraha Prabhashanam.

Other Major Church dignitaries are also expected to grace this ecumenical gathering.

The first edition of the St.Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India released in 1973 by Cardinal Parecattil at an ecumenical function presided over by Moran Mar Baselios Augen I, Catholicos of the East, was hailed as the world's first Country/Particular Church Christian Encyclopaedia. Among those who were on the dais on that memorable day were: Paulos Mar Philexinos, Mar Joseph Powathil, Mar Sebastian Mankuzhikkary, S.S.Koder, N.K.Sheshan, Chev. K.C.Chacko, P.A.Syed Mohmed, Mgr. Zacharias Vazhapilly, ....

The cover of the new edition depicts Apostle Thomas as appearing on the Niranam Silver and Gold Casket. The back cover is a tribute to a few of the deceased persons who had wholeheartedly associated themselves with the work, including Card. Parecattil, Baselios Augen I, Paulos Mar Gregorios, E.R. Hambye, Placid Podipara, Bishop Vayalil, Card. Padiyara, Bp. Joseph Kundukulam of Trichur, Benedict Mar Gregorios, Zacharias Vazhapilly,...

The volume now being sold at Rs. 1950 (US$ 95 - the International Edn.) will be made available for Rs.600 ( post- free in India). NRIs can obtain it for the equivalent of Rs.600 + US$ 10 airmail regd. postage. International Library Edn. US $ 36 + $10 postage).

Address:

THOMAPEDIA, Pallinada, Ollur 680 306, Kerala, India.
Ph.:91 487 352468 Fax:91 487 354398
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More Info: http://www.indianchristianity.com

Archbishop's funeral on June 27

NEW DELHI, JUNE 22.

The funeral of the Archbishop of Delhi, Alan Basil de Lastic, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), who died in a car accident in Poland on Tuesday night, will be held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here in the afternoon of June 27.

The body now kept in a mortuary in Warsaw will be handed over to the Indian authorities tomorrow evening after a requiem mass in the Warsaw Cathedral.

The Indian Government will be flying the body in a special aircraft on Sunday, Fr. Donald D' Souza, CBCI deputy secretary general, said. A memorial mass was held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral this morning presided over by the Archbishop of Agra, Vincent Concessao.

Apart from dozens of priests and nuns, hundreds of people attended the service. Meanwhile, Fr. Victor D' Souza, the vicar general of the Delhi Archdiocese, has been elected the administrator. The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) has condoled the tragic death of the Archbishop.

POPE JOHN PAUL II India visit PROGRAMMES GETTING FINAL TOUCHES

NEW DELHI, Sept.22

Arrangements for the visit of Pope John Paul II to India’s capital New Delhi (Nov. 6-7) in connection with the conclusion of the ASIAN BISHOPS’ SYNOD have been finalised by the CBCI and the Delhi Archdiocese under the leadership of Archbishop Alan De Lastic, according to reliable sources.

His Holiness will be accompanied by among others Cardinal Tomko, Cardinal Kim, and a large number of Press and TV representatives. Cardinal Sin of Philippines, Cardinal Padiyara of Ernakulam, and Cardianl Piementa of Bombay are scheduled to play important roles during the visit. There will be meetings with Mr. R.K. Narayanan the President of India , the Vice-President and the Prime Minister. The choir for the Nehru Stadium function will have more than four hundred participants. The Pope will also meet the Dalai Lama, the Sankaracharya of Kasi, and leaders of the Sikh, Islam, and Jain communities. On the way back to the Vatican the Pope is scheduled to visit Georgia, in the former Soviet Union. The Pope it is reported has plans to visit the birthplace of Abraham Iraq’s Ur during the final days of the millennium.

SYRO-MALABAR Mission Assembly at KOCHI Nov. 5-7

Sept.22

Orientations and Guide Lines for the preparatory discussions for the Syro-Malabar Mission Assembly : Our Mission and Vision entitled "Jesus’ Mission : Church’s Reason to Be" has been circulated by the Synodal Commission for Evangelisation headed by Bishop Mar Gregory Karotemprel, Bishop Mar Joseph Pallickaparampil, and Bishop Mar Gratian Mundadan have been circulated. The papers have been prepared by a committee consisting of Anto Karokaran, Mathew Vellanikal, George Oliapuram, Mathias Mundadan, Louis Thanayan, Paul Thelekat, and Paul Maniyattu. The Major Archiepiscopal Curia, Mount St. Thomas, P>B>No.10, Thrikkakkara PO, Kochi 682 021 may be contacted for details.

POPE JOHN PAUL II TO VISIT INDIA / NEW DELHI

Aug.11 According to a communication from the director of the Liturgial Research Centre of the Syro-Malabar Church, Mt. St. Thomas, Kakkanad, the theme of the forth coming seminar on 4, 5, & 6 of October will be Life and Nature of the ST. THOMAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH from its beginning until the SYNOD OF DIAMPER. Papers will be presented by Mathias Mundadan, Jacob Vellian, Matthew Vellanickal, Anto Thekkudan, Andrews Thazhath, and George Menachery on History, Liturgy, Theology, Spirituality, Hierarhical Structure, and Social Life and Customs respectively, Dr. Bosco Puthur reports. Chief responses will be by Xavier Koodapuzha, Antony Vallavanthara, Cyprian Illickamury, Mary Panthappallil, Jose Chiramel, and Thomas Koonammakkal.

Aug.10 It is reliably learnt that Pope John Paul II will be visiting India later this year. it is said that the denial of permission by China to the Supreme Pontiff to visit Hong Kong has added to the relevance bye of the Pope's visit to India. Earlier it was reported that the present government at New Delhi was not in favour of the Pope's visit to India and that citing the Kargil situation and the forthoming Parliamentary elections in the country permission was denied. TMC leader G.K. Muppanar's reaction to this attitude of the Central Govt. that this was an afront to the catholics of the country was echoed by many leaders all over the country. Now the Pope might visit the country in Nov. or Dec., according to reports from the capital.

DUKHRANA — SYRO-MALABAR CHURCH DAY

July 3rd will be celebrated hereafter as Syro-Malabar Church Day as decided by the Synod some time back, according to a communique issued from the seat of the Major-Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly. In view of this day’s significance some related news items are displayed below:

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

There are a number of conferences scheduled for the coming months by various organisations interested in research and study.

Societas Liturgica has its international conference at Kottayam under the presidentship of Dr. Jacob Velliyan in August (19-24). David R.Holeton, Secretary, in a communication says that case studies will be presented by Volker, Verghese, Meyers, Empereur,Jordhan, De Clerck, Kanichikatlil, Opsahl, Maitland (Friday); Redtenbacher,Maniyatu, Post, Turner (Monday); and Sequeira, Menachery, Prakarsa, and Schaeffer (Tuesday). Parallel to this related short communications have been schedules: Church of South India (Wainwright), Liturgy in Ecumenical Dialogue (Heller), Liturgy in Theological Education (Barnard).

The Satna liturgical and historical conference is in September.

At Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, is being organised a seminar on the sources for the study of Syrian Christian Churches in the month of October under the auspices of the Institute for Liturgical Research headed by Mar Punnakkottil, Mar Chittilappilly, and Dr.Bosco Puthur.

In other NEWS

June 28 Mother Mariyam Thresia of Kerala’s Holy Family Congregation has been declared venerable by Pope John Paul II at the Vatican today.

Dr. George Nedungatt s.j. of the Oriental Pontifical Institute and the postulator was chiefly responsible for the preparation of the necessary documents for presentation to the Holy See, said the CHF superior general Mary Pastor at Mannuthy(Trichur) yesterday. The beatification processes of three other saintly Indians are in an advanced stage, including that of Mother Euphrasia of the CMC congregation. Both these saintly personalities, Thresia and Euphrasia (Evuprasiamma) lived together for some time at the great Ollur convent for some time.

Pope John Paul II during his epochmaking visit to India and Kerala in 1986 had declared two other Keralites Chavara Kuriakose Elias CMI and Sr. Alphonsa FCC blessed at Kottayam.
June 20 Two conferences were held in and around Ernakulam today the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Diamper which paved the way for many long-reaching changes in the Church of Kerala. The "Synod" was organised and led by the Augustinian Archbishop Alexis Menesis of Goa. One function took place in Diamper or Udiyanperoor itself in the very same church where the synod took place. The other meeting was addressed by Archbishop Acharuparambil of Verapoly among others. These two meetings along with the Alwaye seminars and exhibition were successful in drawing the attention of the people at large to an event which many would perhaps like to forget.

June 19 Dr.Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of the Church Of The East (Trichur) inaugurated the valedectory fucnction of the Historical and Cultural Seminars and Exhibition held at Jeevass, Alwaye, Ernakulam. Dr.Scaria Zacharia, Dr.Mathias Mundadan, and Dr. P.V. Ouseph presented papers on various aspects of the Synod of Diamper which met 400 years ago from the 20th of June 1599. CMI prior general Alex Ukken presided. Mr. V.J.Pappu, former pro-chancellor and at present managing director of Deepika offered felicitations. Prof. George Menachery proposed a vote of thanks.
June 13 Commemorating the 300th year of the arrival of John Ernestus Hanxeldon s.j., popularly known in Kerala as Arnos Pathiri, from Germany at Surat a seminar was held in which Dr. Manavalan, Fr.Adappur s.j., John Kalliath etc. presented papers. Dr.Mundadan, director Jeevass Kendram presided over the function. Dr. Cherian Kuniyanthodath welcomed the gathering and Prof. George Menachery proposed a vote of thanks.
May 29 Prof Matthew Ulakamthara spoke about the various versions and editions of the "Varthamanappusthakam" believed to be the first travelogue in any modern Indian language which was written by the Gobernador Thomas Paremakkal who died 200 years ago. Prof. Unnikrishnan spoke of Kerala’s historical background ofthe period dealt with in the "Varthamanappusthakam". Prof George Menachery presided.

Dr. Mathias Mundadan welcomed the Major-Archbishop Mar Dr. Varkey Vithayathil at the concluding function. Mar Vithayathil gave a message in which he called upon Malayalees to give more attention to their history and culture. Fr. Alex the CMI provincial of Rajagiri presided.
May 17 Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy the Archbishop of Trichur inaugurated the month-long Historical and Cultural Seminars Exhibition at Jeevass by lighting the Kuthuvilakku and beating the Perumpara brought for the Expo from Koratty and Ollur respectively. He stressed the need for giving greater attention to the preservation of the Nazraney art heritage and called for a more objective assessment of the history of the church and its liturgy. Prof. George Menachery and Dr. George Varghese presented papers on Kerala’s art traditions and the contribution of the churches to it. Dr. Mundadan presided over the function. Dr. Kuniyanthodath welcomed the gathering and Prof. George Menachery proposed a vote of thanks.
Feb. 27 Archbishop Most. Rev. Ignatius Paul Pinto of Bangalore inaugurated the RAPE - ARSON - MURDER EXPO at Dharmaram Vidya Kshethram in which the excellent coverage given to the recent atrocities committed against Christians in M.P., Gujarat, Orissa, amnd elsewhere by the media (committed to or influenced by various shades of opinion) was highlighted. A large number of pictures, news items, and views which were published by the Indian Press were presented in big enlargements both in colour and in Black and White.

The occasion was the meeting held to give away the prizes to the winners of the National GOLDEN FREEDOM ESSAY COMPETITION conducted by the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India in its silver jubilee year in honour of the Golden Jubilee of India’s Independence. The topic of the competition was "Post-Independence Indian Christianity: Pluses and Minuses". Rt.Rev. DR. Jayakumar, Karnataka Bishop of the Church of South India presided.

SARAS (Profile): South Asia Research Assistance Services provides information, resources, and research here on (esp.)Christianity in India, Malabar Syrian Christians of St. Thomas of Kerala, most North Indian and South Indian Churches, Missions, Missionaries....c.v.of the Editor.
ICHC (Indian Church History Classics): Ed. by Prof.George Menachery, Ollur. Vol.I the Nazranies, (1998),Vol.II the Catholics, Vol.III the Christians (In the Press). The Nazranies gives exhustive information on the Syrian Christians of Kerala, 100s of Photos, ...Details of the 37 books represented in the Vol.I
STCEI (St.Thomas Christin Encyclopaedia of India): All about Indian Christianity.Ed. Prof. George Menachery, Vol. I 1982, Vol II 1973. Hundreds of pictures.
Reviews (World Recognition): Opinions of world authorities and journals including: Paul Verghese Paulose Mar Gregorios, Valerial Cardianl Gracias, Joseph Card.Parecattil, Mar Anthony Padiara Major Archbishop and Cardinal, Mar Aprem, P.Thomas, M.M.Thomas, M.G.S.Narayanan, All India Radio, The Hindu, Indian Express, The Universe, Eastern Churches Review, Eastern review, Revue D' Histire Ecc.,Oost K.Studion, ....
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News Digest on Pope John Paul II, Alan De Lastic Archbishop of Delhi, Varkey Vithayathil Major Archbishop, Thoomkuzhy, Pawathil, Kundukulam,...Seminars, Conferences, Exhibitions, Museums...