News Digest
 

The Economic Times: 30 Jan, 2011, Nupur Amarnath,ET Bureau

Parsis, Jews, Syrian Christians, Bohra Muslims

Professor George Menachery, Dr. K. C. Zachariah, Sayeed Unisa, Yazdi Tantra, Pronoti Chirmuley, Pheroza J Godrej speak to ET.

Businesses held by diminishing races in a crisis to stay afloat

Ratan Tata is used to being feted. So when shareholders showered effusive eulogies in the mid-August annual general meeting, the managing director of the country's largest conglomerate hardly batted an eyelid. Basking in the assorted praise where people implored, "Don't leave us" or "We cannot lose our Ratan," Tata said he will step down by December 2012.

After that, if he stays on in an advisory role is another issue. The real issue is that the organisation that JRD Tata helped build in the early 20th century and Ratan Tata helped chisel may have to make its peace with the fact that its next in line successor may not be a Parsi. There is speculation that, given the group's increasing global focus, the choice need not be an Indian. Tata himself has clarified that the new chief need not be either a Parsi or even a Tata. The Parsis are a wealthy business community in India. And the community is shrinking.

Professor Sayeed Unisa in the department of mathematical demography and statistics at the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai says that the population of Parsi community was 111,791 in 1951; it declined to 69,601 in 2001. Projected population based on estimated births and deaths shows that the community's population will shrink to 40,000 by 2041. "The community has one of the lowest fertility (0.99 in 1999) in the world. This is because of very high non-marriage and late marriage," he says.

The Parsis' isn't a unique case. Businesses held by diminishing races all over the world are in a crisis of sorts to manage to stay afloat. The Greek-Australian community in Greece is dealing with issues where the second and third generation does not want to be involved with community organisations. Religion doesn't bind them and the culture is alien to them.

Enter organisations like the World Zoroastrian Chamber of Commerce (WZCC). Yazdi Tantra, the technical director of the WZCC says that while bigger corporations like Tatas and Godrejs are secure as they have a brand image, smaller businesses and home-base operations face a threat as the younger generation may or may not want to carry on the enterprise.

Tantra, along with WZCC members and some eminent Parsi industrialists, is trying to rekindle the flame of entrepreneurship among the Parsi youth. In 2009, WZCC launched a business plan contest, inviting Parsi youth to come up with business ideas that the community will help to promote and develop. "Since then, we have introduced many hand-holding schemes to encourage Parsi youth to rediscover their spirit of entrepreneurship. This year we have launched an entrepreneur development programme to promote the same," Tantra says. "Today the attitudes have changed. Earlier the Parsis were the pioneers in entrepreneurship, but maybe the license raj or fighting the government for privileges changed that," notes research scholar Pronoti Chirmuley at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, who has been researching on the Parsis for the last three years.


To involve the young, the Parsi community has initiated programmes to strengthen and revive traditional practices by teaching the younger generation the required skills. "Parsi embroidery-gara and cor-is a unique traditional craft. This skill is being promoted by UNESCO-assisted PARZOR, a non-profit research organisation projecting vulnerable heritage," Pheroza J Godrej, an Bohra Muslims eminent Parsi who has also co-authored A ZoroastrianTapestry:Art,ReligionandCulture.                                                           

The dwindling numbers is not affecting the Parsis alone. There are many pure races in India that are getting battle ready to save their numbers. The Syrian Christians and Jews of Kerala and the of Gujarat are cases in point. In Kerala, first the Syrian Christians and then the Jews rose to high ranks of society through excellence in business. But their numbers too have been dwindling over the years, impacting the businesses they built. According to former senior demographer for the World Bank and honorary professor at the Centre for Development Studies Dr KC Zachariah, in 2009 the Kerala population was 32.5 million while the Syrian Orthodox were accounted at 6,94,000 only and Jacobites (another sect of SyrianChristians)was6,05,000.

Historian and anthropologist Professor George Menachery, an expert in the history of Kerala, says that in Kerala, the figures for Christians have dwindled from around 25 percent in say 1970 to 19 percent today. "There are only 52 Jews left in Kerala although there are half a dozen synagogues and cemeteries left in the State," he says. The orthodox Christian and Jewish communities in the country are not a homogenous group and even in the Syrian Christians there are many denominations. Prof Menachery adds that except for the Knanaya community of central Kerala the other Syrian Christians are more or less of the same stock, although inter-cultural and inter-religious marriages are on the rise. While Parsis are mainly concentrated in Maharashtra and some pockets of Gujarat, Jews and Orthodox Christians are primarilysituatedinKerala.

Prof Menachary claims that businesses that flourished because of the numbers in a family are the ones being increasingly affected. But Dr Zachariah says that while dwindling numbers of the Syrian Christians doesn't affect business to a large extent but it does affect their representation to get any aid from the state, or to get noticed as community.

But clout is not restricted to numbers, says Zafar Sareshwala, chief executive officer of Gujarat-based Parsoli Corp Ltd, who hails from the minority community of Sunni Bohris. Having worked and travelled extensively to the UK and US since 1995, Sareshwala has noticed how the Jews in these countries, despite being a minority, have extended their sphere of influence. "In an increasingly globalising world, education-both men and women-not community will be the key differentiator," he says.

Sareshwala, who runs a vocational guidance centre in Ahmedabad for the Class XII passouts to guide them for further studies started it as a service for Muslim youth but now entertains interests from other communities as well. Dawoodi and Sunni Bohras are an adventurous and enterprising community because of education, he believes. "India has a population of 1.75 million Muslims in all but they have no influence. To be counted, they have to build their sphere of influence which can only come through education," he says.


Emigrations are cited as the leading cause for the dwindling numbers especially among the Jews in Kerala, where a sizeable chunk emigrated to Israel in 1962-70, says Aviv Divekar who runs Aftech Informatics in Gujarat and is a fifth generation Jew residing in India. Among the 40 families left in Gujarat, Divekar feels business has moved from the sense of community. "Jews came to India primarily as a trading community but as time passed most of them have taken to the service sector," he says but refrains from calling it an attitudinal shift.

Some communities are responding to the threat by fighting back. Godrej specifies that the Bombay Parsi Panchayat has initiated a number of innovative programmes to curtail the trend. "There are holiday programme for youth called Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation (ZYNG), career guidance programme and a central employment bureau," she says. The Panchayat has also got a matrimonial bureau, subsidised housing for young couples, fertility project run by Dr Anahita Pundole, a third child scheme, medical care for the elderly and home for the aged.

The Jews too have their own community organisations, Divekar tells us but they are not as active as the Parsis. "Jewish organisations conduct meetings to introduce young boys and girls or carry programmes out for education but not on a large scale," Divekar says.

The diminishing races are fighting back. But as Prof Menachery says, "They are fighting a half-hearted battle and a losing one at that."

 

The tallest stone cross in the world the  great cross at Valle de los Caídos near Madrid Spain soaring to a height of 150 Mts. Ca. 450 ft. probably inspired by the open air or outdoor crosses of the Kerala churches termed Nazraney Sthambams, the pedestals of which are ‘balikkallus’ or sacrificial altars or stones.

 

Holy Land Pilgrimage Subsidy Welcomed by

Former Member, Karnataka State Haj Committee



By: Magdum Ismail-Magdum BELGAUM
On: 20 Jan 2011 09:18 am
YES, YES, YES! No doubt, a very appreciative, obligatory and logical step to fulfill the religious obligation for believers of Judaism, Christian and Muslims etc. There is no constrain for rich people to perform religious pilgrimage in any part of the world. But nfortunately, those who are desirous to perform holy pilgrimage but unaffordable air fare to the economical weaker sections make a day dreaming! Therefore, the central govt should initiate positive steps to introduce the historic policy to sanction the subsidies for the Jerusalem pilgrimage to any believers of communities’ par with Haj subsidies to Muslims at the earliest. In this context, I strongly support and urge the Dr, Manmohan Singhji’s Govt as well UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhiji to look into the genuine and acceptable grievances of the Christian community and sanction the subsidies for Holy Jerusalem Pilgrimage from the
auspicious year 2011! Jai Hind. Former Member, Karnataka State Haj Committee.

Dispose Of Pleas On Christian Pilgrimage Subsidy, Apex Court Tells A.P. HC

Earlier Report


SECUNDERABAD, Andhra Pradesh :- The Supreme Court of India has directed the High Court of Andhra Pradesh to dispose of the main writ petitions on the government order granting subsidy to Christians for pilgrimage to the Holy Land within four months. The apex court order came August 2.


The Christian community in the state is eagerly awaiting the final judgment of the High Court and hoping that it would lift the stay on the matter and issue orders in its favour.
This will enable poor Christians to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and strengthen their faith and knowledge about Jesus Christ to live a better spiritual and moral life, said a press release issued August 3 by Archbishop Marumpudi Joji of Hyderabad, the executive vice-president of the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches, a state-level body of bishops and Church heads.


The Churches in the State also supported the move of the government of Andhra Pradesh government to grant subsidy to the Hindu brethren for their pilgrimage to the Manasarovar Yatra, the release said.


This proposal of the government was informed to the High Court already. The government has been spending huge amounts for "jatras," "kumbh melas," "pushkaras" and other Hindu festivals. It has been also granting subsidy to the Haj pilgrimage of the Muslim brethren, the prelate pointed out.
"Hence, we appeal to the general public and the leaders of other religious communities not to oppose the subsidies given by the government to the Christians. Otherwise, the government will be deemed to be violating the right of equality under the Constitution and would be considered as 'discriminatory', he added.

  ASPECTS OF THE IDEA OF “CLEAN AND UNCLEAN” AMONG THE BRAHMINS, THE JEWS, AND THE ST. THOMAS CHRISTIANS OF KERALA
 

Kuravilangad Conference of Syrian Christian Historians and other Scholars
Here are some pictures of the historic Mar Thoma Nazrani Panditha Sangamam held at the Arkkadayakkon Center of Kuravilangad under the austices of the Four Families i.e. Pakalomattom, Kalli, Kalikavu, and Sankarapuri and the Vicar Forane of Kuravilangad

Inaugural address by Hon. Minister Sri K. M. Mani

Presidential address by Prof. George Menachery

Dr. Mini Kariappa presents her paper based on her
research on Syrian Christian, Jewish, and Namboothiri
DNAs at the Hyderabad Center

Anugraha Prabhashanam by Metropolitan Dr. Mar Aprem

 

Chai: "Living"

The numeric value of the Hebrew word Chai is 18 and this may be the reason why gifts to charity are routinely given in multiples of 18.
This symbol which we often come across on necklaces, bangles, and other jewelry and ornaments, is simply the Hebrew word Chai (living). It combines two Hebrew letters Cheit and Yod attached to each other. There is also the view that it refers to the Living G-d; but another prevalent opinion is that it simply reflects the focus of Judaism on the importance of life itsef. In any case one has to admit that the concept of chai is important in Jewish culture. Remember the typical Jewish toast: l'chayim (to life).
Gifts to charity are routinely given in multiples of 18 the numeric value of Chai
-Prof. George Menachery

 

CHAI Platinum Jubilee and 15th Triennial 

The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and 15th Triennial Conference of  the Church History Association of India (CHAI) will  be held from October 6 to 9, 2011 (i.e. from the Vijayadashami Thursday to the following Sunday) at HYDERABAD,  A.P. at Jeevan Jyothi, Begumpet, Hyderabad. Begumpet is about 4kms from Secunderabad railway station and 6kms from Hyderabad(Nampally) railway station. Bangalore train terminates at Kacheguda railway station which is about 10kms from the venue.Prepaid taxis are available at the Airport.Registration fee for Delegates / Participants is Rs.300/- Boarding and lodging will be provided at no extra cost. The half day city tour also will be financed by the organisers.

Conference Theme:

 Indian  Christian Historical and Cultural Studies -Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow 

kunjethy@gmail.com, kunjethy@yahoo.com. For other particulars contact the Secretary General 0091 9846033713, +91 487 2352468, +91 487 2354398 or other National office-bearers.

2. The last date for receiving entries for the CHAI Platinum Jubilee All India Essay Competition on the theme"Preservation of Christian Monuments and Landmarks in India" (1000 to 1500 words) is 31st August 2011. Separate competitions are being held for a) Seminarians, b) University and College Students, and c) the General Public. In each category there will be three prizes of Rs. 8000/-, 5000/-, and 2000/-.For further details contact the Convener Dr. Varghese Perayilvarghesepera@yahoo.co.in 09447359139, Prof. Agnes De Sa, ahdesa@rediffmail.com 09967801723, or the Rev. Jeremiah ACTC Hyderabad prjapadam@gmail.comm 09247463467 or the General Secretary 09846033713.

3. The Platinum Jubilee Commemoration Volume containing 75 scholarly papers on India's Christian Heritage is in the press. For details contact the chief editors Dr. Oberland Snaitang 09856642859 or Prof. George Menachery 09846033713. 

4. Objects of historical, artistic, archaeological...significance are invited for the Christian Historico-Cultural Exhibition to be held at the venue on the theme Indian Christian Heritage of the South, West, North, East, and North-East. Contact the local organising committee: Dr. Oliver 04027002498, Rev. Jeremiah 09247463467 or the CHAI Southern India Branch Secretary cum Treasurer Dr. Manasseh 09848123927.

5. Useful numbers for details regarding registration of delegates and participants, accommodation, travel details, local taxi and auto fares, bus routes, other directions: Dr. Oliver 04027002498, Rev. Jeremiah 09247463467 or the CHAI Southern India Branch Secretary cum Treasurer Dr. Manasseh 09848123927 or the General Secretary 09846033713, 09400494398.

 CHAI members are cordially invited to participate. Other interested scholars also may kindly contact the organisers.

-Prof. George Menachery, General Secretary, CHAI

Pallinada, OLLUR, Thrissur Dt., pin 680 306; Ph. Nos. 0091-98460 33713,

0487-2352468, 0487-2354398, 09400494398.

Email : kunjethy@gmail.com, kunjethy@yahoo.com

CHAI website : www.chai-online.net 

 

Pope John Paul II beatified before big crowd
A figurine of Pope John Paul II is displayed in a religious shop in Rome April 29, 2011.The late Pope John Paul II was moved a major step closer to sainthood at a ceremony that drew about a million and a half people to Rome and was celebrated by Catholics around the world.

"From now on Pope John Paul II shall be called 'blessed,'" Pope Benedict proclaimed in Latin, bringing cheers to the largest crowd in Rome since John Paul's funeral six years ago.

Benedict praised his predecessor as a man who "restored to Christianity its true face as a religion of hope."


John Paul, who was the first non-Italian pontiff in 450 years and brought a message of peace to every continent on more than 100 foreign trips, died in 2005 and his sainthood cause was given fast-track treatment by his successor.

He is credited with having hastened the fall of communism in the East Bloc in 1989 because of his strong support for the Solidarity trade union in his native Poland, whose leader, Lech Walesa, was among the dignitaries in St Peter's Square.

In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said John Paul had brought about a "miracle" in the former communist country.

The crowd in Rome stretched as far back as the Tiber River, more than half a kilometer away. Devotees, many clinging to national flags, rosaries and water bottles as they sang, thronged the Vatican from all directions from before dawn.

Many camped out during the night near the square, which was bedecked with 27 posters illustrating each year of his pontificate, and his most famous sayings, "Do not be afraid!"

 

 

Syro-Malabar bishop tells pope his church is treated unjustly

Coutsey Catholic News
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
ShareThis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican and many of the Latin-rite bishops of India are not treating the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church with justice, and that makes the church look bad, Auxiliary Bishop Bosco Puthur of Ernakulam-Angamaly told Pope Benedict XVI.
While other Christians and other religions enjoy the freedom to build churches and conduct services anywhere in India, the Eastern Catholic churches "are denied it, paradoxically not by the state, but by our own ecclesiastical authorities," the bishop said.
Bishop Puthur, administrator of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, made his remarks to Pope Benedict April 7 at the end of the Syro-Malabar bishops' "ad limina" visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses.
Generally, the leaders of the Eastern Catholic churches such as the Syro-Malabar church enjoy full freedom to elect bishops and erect dioceses only in their church's traditional territory; otherwise, the responsibility is left to the pope, often in consultation with the Latin-rite bishops of the region concerned.
In the case of the Syro-Malabar church, Bishop Puthur told Pope Benedict that its traditional territory was all of India until Latin-rite missionaries arrived in the 15th century. Now any of its faithful living outside Kerala state are subject to the authority of the local Latin-rite bishop.
"We are convinced that it is the credibility of the Apostolic See that is at stake if this jurisdictional right is not restored to its pristine status," the bishop said.
Bishop Puthur presented five requests to Pope Benedict: the restoration of "all-India jurisdiction" to the Syro-Malabar Church; permission to establish dioceses throughout India; permission to set up archdioceses in Delhi and other large cities; the establishment of a special jurisdiction for the Persian Gulf states, in order to serve the tens of thousands of Syro-Malabar Catholics from India working in the region; action to improve the pastoral care of Syro-Malabar Catholics in Europe, Australia and other parts of the world.
The Syro-Malabar leader thanked the Latin-rite bishops of the United States and Canada for supporting the appointment in 2001 of a Chicago-based bishop for his church's faithful in North America.
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has about 3.7 million members around the world, Bishop Puthur said. Currently, there are 29 dioceses served by: 32,855 women religious; 3,987 diocesan priests; 3,133 religious order priests; and 745 religious brothers, he said.
In his talk to the bishops, Pope Benedict urged them to work for unity within their dioceses, in their church and with the all the bishops of India.
"This responsibility is of special importance in a country like India where the unity of the church is reflected in the rich diversity of her rites and traditions," he said.
Another area where efforts toward unity must be given priority is the family, the pope said.
"A privileged expression of sharing in the divine life is through sacramental marriage and family life," he said.
Pope Benedict said the church can no longer assume that society at large will support or supplement its efforts to provide a "sound and integral education of young people in the ways of chastity and responsibility," nor will it always reinforce a vision of marriage as a permanent bond between a man and a woman open to having and educating children.
"Have your families look to the Lord and his saving word for a complete and truly positive vision of life and marital relations, so necessary for the good of the whole human family," he said. "Let your preaching and catechesis in this field be patient and constant.

 

Invitation
 

2011 Paithrika Jnana Yatjnjam DUBAI

May 13th, 2011 | Dubai

2011 Paithrika Jnana Yathnam led by Chevalier Professor George Menachery

Friday, May 13th, 2011 | Dubai – 12 noon to 5 pm


A Passion for the Heritage of the Syro Malabar Community

"Several essential features of the Syro Malabar culture, history, traditions and customs are challenged and unknown in our day. It is important that we be well grounded in these truths so that we may have a deep affection for our unique heritage." --- Chev. Prof. Menachery

On May 13th, 2011, UACT is proud to invite you to join us with Prof. George Menachery as he looks at several important and at the same time forgotten or halfforgotten aspects of the great Syro Malabar tradition, such as the Indian sojourn of Apostle St. Thomas, culture, art, architecture, customs, manners and festivals, Syro Malabar folklore, food habits, costumes, and ornaments, Malayalee names and their origins, the Syro-Malabarians’ rightful place in India and in all regions, their international presence, chief events in their history and many other interesting matters…..

We look forward to your active participation

For registration please call: +971 508751316 (Mr. Franson), +971 504995102 (Mr. Alex)

To read What People Are Saying about Chev. Prof. Menachery’s works, please browse:

 


 

H E Varkey Card. Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church presents Prof. George Menachery with the first Syro Malabar Church Research Award in the presence of more than thirty Syro Malabar Bishops / Archbishops


 

His Eminence Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil the Major Archbishop greets Prof. George Menachery by presenting him a Bouque on his being selected for the LRC Award

 


 

Mar Varkey Vithayathil presents Pope Benedict XVI the first copy of the Third Volume of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India at Castel Gandolfo

Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer speaks after receiving the first copy of the Indian Church History Classics Vol. I “The Nazranies” from His Eminence Mar Varkey Card. Vithayathil.

Silver Jubilee of the Indian Visit of Pope John Paul the Second 

Double Delight for Kerala Christians

His Holiness Pope John Paul II commenced his Kerala visit on the 7th of February 1986. The first public function of the day was at Trichur or more familiarly Thrissur - the Cultural Capital of Kerala where the Pope enjoyed the “Pooram” with 15 caparisoned elephants and Muthukkudas (colourful parasols) staged by the Paramekkavu Devaswom and the 25 cultural programmes arranged around the papal path at the St. Thomas Nagar - today’s Shakthan Thamburan Nagar.  During his Kerala visit the Pope beatified Sr Alphonsa (who is now a Saint of the Church) and Fr Chavara Kuriakose Elias at a great function in Kottayam.The whole of Kerala is commemorating this Silver Jubilee event with colourful functions and religious ceremonies. This Silver Jubilee occasion has become memorable on account of another event too viz. the beatification of the saintly pope on 1st May 2011, the first Sunday after Easter, hardly four score days after the event, at the Vatican by the Roman Pontiff Benedict XVI.. It is a “first” in Church History since it is for the first time that the Catholic Church is beatifying a person  just after 6 years of his death on 2nd April 2005.

Pope John Paul II, shard his world-view and vision with dozens of countries and cultures during his long tenure of almost three decades as the Supreme Pontiff. He was a Leader for All Seasons and was accepted by the tens of millions of people who who thronged to have a glimpse of him in various continents as Guide, Philosopher, and Friend. H            is leadership to liberate millions from the yoke of unjust governments has been much appreciated, including his role in the liberation of his own country Poland from Commuism.

He was the most travelled pope ever, visiting more than 120 nations during the third longest papacy in history covering it is said a distance equalling 1.5 trips to the moon.Pope John Paul II is also remembered for raising a record number of persons to SAINTHOOD. He was perhaps the only Pope who was shot at but he survied the May 13 1981 attempt on his life and lived to forgive the would be assassin. His voice resounded from all corners of the world exhoting people againt war, abortions, and human rights violations.  

He passed away on April 2, 2005. During the last ceremonies for the pope attended by millions the cry went up to cannonise him immediately and Pope Benedict XVI waived the 5 year wait for the commencement of the process and now after just 5years of his death he is being beatified - after the miraculous healing of a French nun suffering from the Parkinson’s disease.  

Reuters adds: During his 2005 funeral Mass, crowds at the Vatican shouted for Pope John Paul II to be made a saint immediately, chanting “Santo Subito!” for one of the most important and beloved popes in history.

His successor heard their call and on Friday, in the fastest process on record, set May 1 as the date for John Paul’s beatification — a key step toward Catholicism’s highest honor and a major morale boost for a church reeling from the clerical sex abuse scandal.

Pope Benedict XVI set the date after declaring that a French nun’s recovery from Parkinson’s disease was the miracle needed for John Paul to be beatified. A second miracle is needed for the Polish-born John Paul to be made a saint. 

The May 1 ceremony — which Benedict himself will celebrate — is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Rome for a precedent-setting Mass: never before has a pope beatified his immediate predecessor.

Though the numbers aren’t expected to necessarily reach the 3 million who flocked here for John Paul’s funeral, religious tour operators in John Paul’s native Poland were already making preparations to bus and fly in the faithful to celebrate a man many considered a saint while alive.

“We have waited a long time and this is a great day for us,” said Mayor Ewa Filipiak of John Paul’s hometown of Wadowice, Poland, where the faithful lit candles Friday and prayed at a chapel in the town church dedicated to John Paul.

Father Pawel Danek, who runs a museum in John Paul’s family home, said Benedict had listened to the prayers of the faithful.

“The Holy Father has confirmed what we all felt somehow,” he said. “For us, John Paul II’s holiness is obvious.”

Benedict put John Paul on the fast track to possible sainthood just weeks after he died, waiving the typical five-year waiting period before the process could begin. But he insisted that the investigation into John Paul’s life be thorough to avoid any doubts about his virtues.

The beatification will nevertheless be the fastest on record, coming just over six years after his death and beating out Mother Teresa’s then-record beatification in 2003 by a few days.

It is not without controversy, however. While John Paul himself was never accused of improprieties, he has long been accused of responding slowly when the sex abuse scandal erupted in the United States in 2002. Many of the thousands of cases that emerged last year involved crimes and cover-ups that occurred on his 26-year watch.

Critics have faulted John Paul’s overriding concern with preserving the rights of accused priests, often at the expense of victims — a concern formed in part by his experiences in Communist-controlled Poland where priests were often accused of trumped up charges by the regime.

And here’s what the BBC had reported in 2005:

Pope seeks to beatify John Paul - pilgrims at the Pope’s funeral called for his immediate sainthood.

Pope Benedict XVI has begun the process of beatifying his predecessor John Paul II, the first step to sainthood. 

“The cause for the beatification of John Paul II is open,” the new Roman Catholic leader told priests meeting at Rome’s Basilica of St John in Lateran. 

The Pope waived the usual rules which require a five-year wait before the Church begins to make someone a saint. 

John Paul II died on 2 April, leading to widespread calls from Catholics worldwide for him to be made a saint. 

Standing ovation 

BEATIFICATION PROCESS 

Beatification requires that a miracle has occurred Group approaches local bishop After Rome’s approval an investigation is launched Findings are sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints Case is presented to the Pope Blessed may be accorded a feast day Relics of the candidate may be venerated Canonisation (actual sainthood) requires proof of a second miracle 

REASONS FOR THE FAST TRACK

“And now I have a very joyous piece of news for you,” Pope Benedict XVI said in Italian before making the announcement in Latin. 

The Pope read out a letter from Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, the official in charge of sainthood, in which it said that Benedict XVI himself had authorised the start of the beatification process. 

The news was met with a standing ovation from the priests attending the meeting. 

It comes on the anniversary of an assassination attempt on John Paul II in 1981, when he was shot in St Peter’s Square by a Turkish gunman. 

Life Examined 

Information will now be gathered on the former pope’s life and teachings, including all private writings from the period before he became pope, and checked for orthodoxy to ensure that he expressed no heretical views. 

Pope John Paul II abandoned the five-year rule when he beatified Mother Teresa

A commission of historians will be appointed to gather all of the documents together, which will then be examined by panels of theologians, and cardinals and bishops. 

If a two-thirds majority agree with John Paul II’s beatification Pope Benedict XVI will then be called upon to give his own approval. 

But Vatican expert Michael Walsh told the BBC that for the process to be complete the Vatican authorities will then have to establish that a miracle has been ascribed to Pope John Paul II. 

“They have to prove someone has been miraculously healed... by his intercession, by praying to John Paul II, he or she has recovered from cancer or something of that sort,” he said. 

Miracle needed 

In the days following his death Italian media carried a number of reports of alleged miracles attributed to Pope John Paul II, including one claim that an American man suffering from a brain tumour was cured after receiving communion from the late pontiff. 

But the alleged miracles occurred during the Pope’s lifetime, and the beatification process studies those occurring after the candidate’s death. 

Beatification allows public veneration of the person and for the person to be known as “Blessed”. For actual sainthood, proof of at least two miracles is required. 

Beatification allows public veneration of the blessed person

In normal circumstances five years must pass between the death of the person proposed for beatification and the start of the procedure, to avoid emotion playing a part. 

However, John Paul II dispensed with this rule himself when in 2003 he beatified Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 

The entire process was completed just six years after her death. 

On Friday Pope Benedict XVI also announced who would succeed him as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 

Sixty-eight-year-old William Levada, Archbishop of San Francisco, is the first American to hold the post as the Vatican’s chief watchdog of orthodoxy. 

 

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and 15th

Triennial Conference

October 6 to 9, 2011 

AMERICAN STUDIES & RESEARCH

CENTRE, HYDERABAD 

Conference Theme : Indian Historical and Cultural Studies -Yesterday,

Today, Tomorrow

A. The Jubilee Celebrations include the following academic programmes:

1. The CHAI is pleased to invite Scholarly Papers related to the above theme from CHAI members and other scholars

2. An Essay Competition on the theme, "Preservation of Christian Monuments and Landmarks in India" is being planned for three categories ofparticipants: a) Seminarians, b) Graduate and Post Graduate University /College Students, c) the General Public.

3. A Panel Discussion by selected scholars during the Jubilee Celebrations(theme to be announced shortly).

4. A Platinum Jubilee Commemoration Volume on India's Christian Heritage

5. A Christian Historic-Cultural Exhibition on the theme Indian Christian Heritage of the South, West, North, East, and North-East to be held at the venue.

Details of all the above programmes will be published in the December 2010

issue of the Indian Church History Review. 

Prof. George Menachery

 

The CHURCH HISTORYASSOCIATION OF INDIA 

Board of Trustees and Regional Branch Office-bearers, Since May 7, 2009 

President:

Dr. Oberland L. Snaitang, Kench's Trace, Opp. Assamese Girls Secondary

School, Shillong 793 004, Meghalaya

Mob. 09856642859, Email: oberlandsnaitang@yahoo.com

Vice-President:

Dr. Thomas Edmunds, Jehovah Shalom, Lutheran Church Cross Street,

Kadaperi, Tambaram, Chennai - 600 045

Ph: 044-22417238, Mb: 09380002895, Email>edmunds_36@yahoo.co.in

General Secretary:

Prof George Menachery, Pallinada, Ollur, Thrissur City, Kerala-680 306.

Ph 0487-2352468, 0487-2354398, Mb-09846033713, Email>kunjethy@gmail.com,

kunjethy@yahoo.com

Joint Secretary:

Ms. Agnes De Sa, 2 Abhilasha, Saibaba Park, Evershine Nagar,

Malad, Mumbai - 400 064

Tel.022-28822577. Email>a_desa@rediffmail.com

Treasurer:

Fr. Sebastian Edathikavil, CMI, Dharmaram College,

Dharamaram College, P. O., Bangalore-560 029.

Ph 080-41116234, 9448381255, Email> sedathi@gmail.com

BOT Members:

1. Dr. Varghese Perayil, Perayil Christy Bhavan, Adoor P.O.,

Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Email> varghesepera@yahoo.co.in

2. Dr. George Oommen, New Theological College, Sahastradhara Road,

Kulhan P.O., Dehradun - 248 001,Email>ntcoommen@gmail.com> 

BRANCHES

NORTHERN INDIA BRANCH

President:

Dr.Leonard Fernando, S.j., Vidyajyoti College of Theology,23 Raj

Niwas Marg, Delhi-110 054. Tel. 011-23947609,leofern@gmail.com

Secretary:

Fr. Monodeep Daniel, The Brotherhood House, 7 Court Lane,

Delhi-110 054,Tel 011-2396851, mono@del2.vsnl.net.in

Treasurer:

Rev Sujeev Das, Pastor, Methodist Church, 58/h-19,

Sector 7, Rohini, Delhi-110 085

SOUTHERN INDIA BRANCH

President:

Dr. Francis Thonippara, President Dharmaram College, Dharmaram College, P. O.,

Bangalore-560 029., Mb:09447340596; Email>fthonippara@gmail.com

Secretary:

Dr. P. Manasseh, 10-1-639, Lane No. 3, Street No. 10,

West Marredpally, Secunderabad-500 026, Andhra Pradesh

Mob-9848123927, 8121023927; Email>mannassehpasupuleti@rediffmail.com

WESTERN INDIA BRANCH

President:

Dr. M. D. David,28/12, Sagar Sangam, Flat No. 12, Bldg. No.28, Bandra,

Mumbai-400 050. Ph: 022-26416377. Email> mddavi@bom5.vsnl.net

Vice-President:

Dr.Kranti K. Farias, 104 Asit, 197 A Kane Road, Band Stand, Bandra,

Mumbai-400 050 Ph: 022-26420565, Email>krantifarias@hotmail.com

Secretary:

Prof. Mrs. Agnes de Sa,2, Abhilasha, Alpha C.H.S., Saibaba Park,

Evershine Nagar, Malad-West, Mumbai-400 064.

a_desa@rediffmail.com Tel.022-28822577.

Treasurer:

Prof. Ms. Joan Dias, Victoria Apts. St. Alexius Road, Bandra, Mumbai-400 050.

Tel.022-26551122. Email>diasarlene@hotmail.com

EASTERN INDIA BRANCH

President:

Rev. Manmasih Ekka, Gossner Theological College, Main Road,

Ranchi - 834001, Jharkhand,Mb-08431326659,

Email>gtcranchi@rediffmail.com

Secretary:

Rev. Pratap Digal, Serampore Theological College,

P.O Serampore-712 201, Dt.Hooghly, West Beangal.

Mob-09433137360, Email>pratapdigal2008@gmail.com

Treasurer:

Dr. S.C. Canton, 303, Prabha Apartment, Siromtoli Old H.B. Road,

Ranchi - 834001, Jharkhand

Ph - 09334725625/09771185003; Email : Sujitcanton@yahoo.in

NORTH EASTERN INDIA BRANCH

President:

Dr. Dr. Oberland L. Snaitang, Kench's Trace,

Opp. Assamese Girls SecondarySchool, Shillong 793 004, Meghalaya

Mob. 09856642859, Email: oberlandsnaitang@yahoo.com

Secretary:

Dr. David R.Syiemlieh, Dept. of Hostory, NEHU,

Nongthymmai, Shillong-793 014.

Ph: 0364-2721211, Mb: 9436193103; Email> syiemlieh@hotmail.com

Treasurer:

: Prof. Ms. A.N.Passah, Dept. of History, NEHU, Nongthymmai,

Shillong-793 014.

Ancient Christian site in UAE opens to visitors
Dec 12, 2010,Courtesy AFP

A general view of the United Arab Emirates' only discovered Christian monastery on November 29, 2009, in Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Photograph: MARTIN PFEIFER/ TDIC/AFP 
By AFP 
DUBAI - A 1,400-year-old monastery that is the only known pre-Islamic Christian site in the United Arab Emirates has opened to visitors, The National newspaper reported on Sunday.
The monastery on Sir Bani Yas island in Abu Dhabi emirate is "believed to be the only permanent settlement ever established on the island" and "the only pre-Islamic Christian site known in the UAE," it said.
 

It is believed to have been built around 600 AD by a community of 30-40 monks and was discovered in 1992, said the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Development Company which is developing the island.

Dr Joseph Elders, the chief archaeologist for the Church of England, is leading the team excavating the site, the company said in a statement.

"Twenty years ago, we had no idea that Christians came this far south and east" in the Gulf region, The National quoted Elders as saying. "We don't have many monasteries from this period."

The people who lived at the monastery probably belonged to the "Nestorian Church, or Church of the East," it said, adding that the settlement was abandoned after about 750 AD.

It opened to the public on Saturday.

 

As it happened: Pope in Britain: 19 September 2010


• The fourth day of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the UK saw him lead a beatification service for 19th Century theologian Cardinal Newman at Cofton Park in Birmingham
• He also visited the Catholic Seminary of Oscott, which trains future priests, and held a meeting with the Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales
• Prime Minister David Cameron thanked the Pope for making the country "sit up and think", and vowed to increase co-operation between the UK and the Vatican on issues like poverty and climate change

BBC Well, that's a wrap. Thank you for joining us for our live coverage of the Pope's visit and for all your contributions. We hope you've enjoyed our efforts and will join us again for some more live commentary soon.

Ruth Gledhill, religion correspondent for the Times newspaper, says that where protests occurred they were conducted with "dignity and decorum". She says she was told ahead of the visit that police were on "hair trigger" alert because of previous assassination attempts on the Pope's life, and if there had been any attempt to make an citizen's arrest of the pontiff, as some had suggested, officers would have had to decide in a split second whether to use their weapons.

Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes, policing co-ordinator for the papal visit, tells the BBC it's been challenging, but "enjoyable". He says colleagues at the Vatican have been "amazed" at the British ability - "spirit of fair play", he calls it - to allow both well-wishers and protesters to gather in the same area and make their views known without any problems.

Leo Goatley, from Gloucester, writes: "Perhaps surprisingly, the Pope omitted to place family at the centre of his preaching, which should be pivotal to the teaching of the Church. As a lapsed Catholic married to a devout member of the Church, I found the plea for dialogue between faith and reason curious as the idea of a belief in a God is, to me, far less challenging than a faith required to accept the full creed of Christianity or any other religion for that matter."

If you missed the events in Birmingham earlier today, the BBC's Sitala Peek was there and has written about her experiences.

Adrian Winchester writes: "I had my doubts about how successful this visit would be but I'm now sorry to see the Pope go. He has addressed some important issues that go to the heart of the sort of society we want."

Lord Patten, the government's papal visit co-ordinator, says the cost to the taxpayer is "pretty low", about £10m. "I think it's been an investment in a very important relationship," he tells the BBC. "A relationship with an organisation which is the second largest development organisation in the world, and a relationship with a faith which provides 30,000 different examples of social care in this country."
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, tells the BBC the visit has gone better than he could have expected. Contrary to the image often painted of him, he says the Pope came across as he truly is - "as a gentle, sensitive, eloquent and really lovely person". "It's out of that loveliness that he brings the message that he did," the Archbishop adds.
John Nixon in York writes: "The Pope has penetrated the superficiality and shallowness of many aspects of life today. He speaks in a calm and eloquent manner without an emphasis on him personally or his performance. This has stood out in contrast to the spin and gloss we see from many of our political and religious leaders."

Spoke too soon. The Pope squeezed in one more wave, from the window of the plane as it taxied away for take-off. It's bound for Rome's Ciampino airport where it's due to land at about 2230 local time.

One last wave from the top of the steps and that's it. The Pope steps inside the plane - known in some quarters as Shepherd One - which is flying both the union jack and the papal standard.

After a final shake of the hand and a few private words with the prime minister, Pope Benedict walks the red carpet for the last time and says goodbye to a number of his bishops.

The Pope says he will "treasure the time" spent with members of his Church while in the UK. He once again mentions Cardinal Newman and the lessons he feels we can all learn from him.

The Pope now takes centre-stage and thanks all those who have helped to organise his visit. He says the diversity of modern Britain is a challenge to the government, but also offers an opportunity for greater inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue.

The PM concludes by saying the government and the Vatican have agreed to increase their co-operation "on the key international issues where we share a common goal", including tackling climate change, fighting poverty and disease, and working for peace around the world.
David Cameron says Britain is characterised by a deep, but quiet compassion, and he has felt it personally in recent days "as I have cradled a new daughter and said goodbye to a wonderful father".

"Faith is part of the fabric of our country," the prime minister continues. But he adds: "People do not have to share a religious faith or agree with religion on everything to see the benefit of asking the searching questions that you, your Holiness, have posed to us about our society and how we treat ourselves and each other."

"You have spoken to a nation of six million Catholics, but you have been heard by a nation of more than 60 million citizens," David Cameron says. "For you have offered a message not just to the Catholic Church, but to each and every one of us, of every faith and none. A challenge to us all to follow our conscience, to ask not what are my entitlements, but what are my responsibilities? To ask not what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others?"

The Pope has now arrived on the airport tarmac. He emerges from his car, surrounding by his ever-present be-suited security guards, and takes David Cameron by the hand. After a few private words they take to the podium.

David Cameron has arrived at Birmingham airport. He's standing on the red carpet in front of the podium, complete with two gold-trimmed chairs, from which he and the Pope will speak.

The BBC's Robert Pigott says that while the visit has been a success and the turnout pretty good, most people have come out to see A Pope, not The Pope, because Benedict does not embody the Catholic Church as his predecessor John Paul did.

Sarah in Birmingham writes: "I'm not Catholic, but I have really enjoyed the Pope's visit to the UK this week. He has come across as a lovely man, he has spoken wisely and in a way anyone could listen and understand, and the crowds seemed to have responded to this at the events he has been too. He has looked happy to be here and I hope he enjoyed his visit."

RCYouthWorker tweets about the Pope's speech to the bishops: "Nothing in the speech that is a telling off but plenty that will be spun as such. Just wait and see."

The Pope leaves St Mary's on his way to Birmingham International airport.
More photo opportunities. Inside the chapel, the Pope poses for a picture with the heads of the Church in Scotland and England and Wales and the assembled cardinals and bishops. Outside, in St Mary's College garden, it's the turn of the West Midlands Police officers who have guarded him today. Then it's on to a group photo with the seminarians, who go on to give him a rousing send-off.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott says the invitation to Anglicans is a "very sensitive subject" and the Pope's first public reference to it on this visit was surprising.

In his closing address the Pope defends the Vatican's offer to welcome disenchanted Anglicans into the Catholic fold. He says the move, which allows Anglicans to retain elements of their heritage, could help contribute "positively" to relations between the two churches. Pope Benedict says the abuse scandal "seriously undermines the moral credibility" of the Church but suggested the lessons could be shared for the benefit of wider society.
The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, says the visit will "long remain in our hearts".
"Already in Scotland we are speaking of the Benedict bounce", says Cardinal O'Brien, as he refers to the four "wonderful days" of the visit.
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, head of the Catholic Church in Scotland, thanks the Pope for graciously wearing a special tartan during his time in Edinburgh on Thursday. He says he's pleased the pontiff was "proud to be an honorary Scotsman for a day". Cardinal O'Brien says the welcome the Pope received in Scotland reminded the world of the country's ancient Christian roots.
The meeting between the Pope and the bishops of England, Scotland and Wales has now wrapped up and we're expecting to hear a few words from some of those who were involved.
LicklePickle, in Birmingham, tweets: "The Pope was running late, so instead of the Popemobile going walking pace, it rushed past about 15mph! Sooo disappointing!"

Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley says he is delighted with how smoothly today's events have gone and how warm the welcome has been. "The city has shown its concern for people of faith," he told the BBC.

Father Christopher Jamison, a Benedictine monk who appeared in the BBC series The Monastery, has given his take on turnout. "I think it is the spontaneity of those 200,000 people in London that will really surprise the Vatican because they'd been led to believe that while the Catholic faithful would welcome the Holy Father, there would be a great upsurge in scepticism and doubt among ordinary British people."

Nick Clegg has been asked about the Pope's visit at the Lib Dem conference in Liverpool. "I think the differences that people might have with the doctrine of the Catholic Church speak for themselves," he said. "But, I have to say that I also believe we are, above and beyond everything else, a liberal and tolerant nation, and that whilst debate, criticism, analysis of the teachings of the Catholic Church is, I think, necessary, I think as a community, as a nation and certainly as a government we have an absolute duty to welcome what is the leader of a very, very significant world religion."
Something else a bit special for you from our team in Birmingham - it's a gigapan image of the beatification service. You can use the controls to scroll around and to zoom in to see specific details up close.

ST. EPHREM ECUMENICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SEERI)

Research & Regional Centre of Mahatma Gandhi University 

 

7th WORLD SYRIAC CONFERENCE

&

SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF SEERI

 

8 - 16 September 2010

 

 

                                      ܒܫܢܬ ܕܥܣܪܝܢ ܘܚܡܫ ܢܘܕܐ

ܐܝܣܚܩ ܠܒܪܐ ܕܚܣܟܗ ܒܛܘܪܐ

ܡܢ ܣܟܝܢܐ ܘܗܘܐ ܚܠܦܘܗܝ

ܐܡܪ ܩܛܠܐ ܦܠܛ ܡܝܘܬܐ

ܘܡܝܬ ܡܚܐ ܟܠ  ܒܪܝܟ ܩܘܪܒܢܗ

 

In the 25th year let Isaac give thanks

to the Son who preserved him on the mountain

from the knife and became, in his place,

the lamb that was slaughtered:   the mortal escaped,

while there died He who gives life to all!

Blessed is His offering!

 

                        (St Ephrem, Hymns on the Nativity 18:30)  

                    

PROGRAMME 

 

INAUGURAL CELEBRATION

 

Wednesday, 8th September 2010 at 14.30

                       

 

     To’ ba-šlom: Rev. Fr. M.P George and Group (Orthodox Theological Seminary)

 

Prayer Song: M A Syriac Students (SEERI)

 

Welcome: H.G. Thomas Mar Koorilos

                                         (Metropolitan Archbishop, Tiruvalla and President, SEERI)

 

      Presidential Address: H.B. Baselios Cleemis Catholicos

                                                        (Major Archbishop, Syro-Malankara Catholic Church)

  

Benedictory Speech: H.G. Joseph Mar Thoma

                                                               (Metropolitan, Mar Thoma Church)

                                                   

Inaugural Address: Prof. Dr. Rajan Gurukal

                                                           (Vice Chancellor, M.G. University, Kottayam)

 

Keynote Address: Prof.  Dr.  Sebastian P. Brock 

                                                                             (Oxford University)

Felicitations:

 

Prof. P.J. Kurian, Member of Parliament.

H.G. Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, Archbishop of Kottayam.

H.G. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, Metropolitan Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.         

H.G. Kuriakose Mar Ivanios, Knanaya Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church.

Rt. Rev. Dr. John R. K. Fenwick, Bishop, Free Church, England.

 

Vote of Thanks: H.G. Mar Aprem,

                                                             Metropolitan, Church of the East, Thrissur.

 

Benediction:

 

Special Programme: A thirteenth century Chinese source on a certain Syrian Christian  

                                  Ruler in Kollam/Quilon, India 

 

*******

 

 

Thursday - 9th September 2010

 

06.30 – 07.30: Holy Qurbana 

 

Celebrant: H.G. Mar Aprem (Metropolitan, Church of the East, Trichur)

 

Registration: 08.00- 08.45

 

Session-I

           

Moderator: Rt. Rev. Dr. John Robert Kipling Fenwick

                                                                                        (Free Church of England)

 

08.50 –08.55 Prayer Song (Sisters, Udhanashram, Idukki)

 

08.55–09.30 Alison Grace Salvesen: Jacob of Sarug’s memre on the book of Daniel.

           

09.30–10.00 Colette Pasquet: Oriental Syriac Commentaires on Gen 1.26 and     

                                    Incarnation’s Mystery.

                                               

10.00–10.30 Buda Lorenzo: Mar Aprem: Martyr and Singer of the Word.

                        

Session-II  

 

Moderator:   Prof. Dr. Dr. Hubert Kaufhold

                                                         (Jura, Univ. München, Germany)

 

11.00–11.30 Christophe Vielle: Johann Ernst Hanxleden S.J. (1681-1732) and St. Thomas  

                                    Christians: from Malayalam poetry to Syriac liturgy and philology.         

 

11.30–12.00 Paul Blaize Kadicheeni: Baptismal liturgy in the writings of Timothy II.

 

12.00–12.30 Johnny Messo: The Syriac Universal Alliance, the endangered Syriac Cultural

                                          Heritage and the envisaged role of scholars.

 

12.30–12.40 Noon Prayer (Church of the East – Archdeacon Emmanuel Yokhanna)

 

Session III  

 

Moderator:  Rev. Dr. John Kochuthundiyil        

                                        (Rector, St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary, Trivandrum)  

 

14.00–14.30 Istvan Perczel: New sources for the history of the Chaldean Syrian                                                     

                                    community in India.

 

14.30–15.00 Toda Satoshi: Reconsidering the Intellectual Background of Bardaisan.

 

15.00–15.30   Emmanuel Thelly: Prayers of the Feast of Denha in the Syro-Chaldean

                                    Breviary.

 

Session IV

 

Moderator:     Dr. F.B. Chatonnet

                                 (CNRS IVRI Paris, France)

           

16.00–16.30    Robert Hawley:  Plants of Indian origin in the Syriac Pharmacopeia.

 

16.30–17.00   Joseph Palackal: Kerala, the Cradle of Christianity in South Asia: The

                                    Cultural Interface of Music and Religion.

 

(After supper: Discussion for setting up the syllabus for the proposed theological college of the Church of the East, Sydney as requested by Mar Meelis Zaia, Archbishop of Australia)

 

Friday - 10th September 2010

 

06.30 – 07.30 Holy Qurbana

 

Celebrant:  H.E. Mar Joseph Kallarangattu

                                                     (Syro Malabar, Bishop of Pala)

Session V 

 

Moderator:      H.G. Dr. Mar Aprem

                                          (Metropolitan, Church of the East, Trichur)                               

 

08.50–08.55    Prayer Song (Students of SEERI, East Syriac).

           

08.55–09.30   John R K Fenwick: Some Neglected Sources for the History of the St.

                                    Thomas Christians.

 

09.30–10.00   Hubert Kaufhold:  Die Reise des Syrisch-Orthodoxen Patriarchen Petros          

                                    IV, nach Indien (1876/1877).  

 

10.00–10.30    Martin Tamcke: “Bishop Gabriel”.      

 

Session VI

 

Moderator:       Prof. Dr. Jürgen Tubach

                                                (Martin Luther Univ., Halle, Germany)

 

11.00–11.30   Theresia Hainthaler: Christ in the flesh, who is God over all (Rom 9,5                   

                                    Pesh.). The letter of Catholicos Timothy I. (780-823) to the monks of Mar Maron.

 

11.30–12.00  Hidemi Takahashi: Additional information on the Syriac manuscripts
                                    at Yale University.

12.00–12.30  David A. Michelson: Proposals for Syriac Prosopography & Authority Control.

 

12.30–12.40  Noon Prayer (Syro Malabar – Fr. Emmanuel Thelly CMI)

                   

Session VII

 

Moderator:    Prof. Dr. Rainer Voigt

                                                            (Freie Univ. Berlin)

                                   

14.00–14.30  Timothy B. Sailors:  Quotations of Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians in                                               Syriac.

 

14.30–15.00  Simon S. Ford: Translating the faith: Syriac scholarship and the legislative program in the canons ascribed to Maruta of Maiphweqat.

 

15.00–15.30 Abraha Tedros: Isaac of Nineveh, Filoxenus of Mabbug, John Saba: three fundamental names of Ethiopian monasticism, theology and spirituality: History of the translation of the texts attributed to them and their influence.

 

Session VIII

 

Moderator:  Rev. Dr.  Johns Abraham Konat

                                                                       (Prof., SEERI, Kottayam)

 

16.00–16.30  Thomas Koonammakkal: Justin and Ephrem: A parallel.

 

16.30–17.00  Andrea Schmidt & Gaby Abousamra: Cataloguing the Syriac Manuscripts and Fragments of the Manuscripts Institutes in Yerevan and Tbilisi. The case of Syriac Amulets from the Urmia Region.

 

Saturday - 11th September 2010

 

06.30 – 07.30 Holy Qurbana

 

Celebrant:  Msgr. Jacob Vellian

                                      (Syro-Malabar Knanaya Catholic, Kottayam)

Session IX

 

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Martin Tamcke

                                              (Georg-August Univ. Göttingen, Germany)

 

08.50-08.55   Prayer Song (Bethany Sisters).

 

09.00–09.30  F.B. Chatonnet & Jimmy Daccache: Researches on Syriac writing in the background of Antioch.

 

09.30–10.00  Rainer Voigt: From the Aramaic script to the Indian scripts & from the Indian scripts to the Ethiopic scripts.

10.00–10.30  Baby Varghese: West Syrian Liturgy: A survey of hundred years of  

                                    Researches.

 Session X 

 

Moderator:   Prof. Dr. Andrea Barbara Schmidt

                                                             (Université Catholique de LLN,  Belgium)

           

11.00–11.30 Amir Harrak: New evidence on the Christian emirs of Mesopotamia during the Mongol period.

 

11.30–12.00 Abdo Badwi: The painting of the crowning of Our Lady between Lebanon and Kerala.

 

12.00–12.30 Mar Aprem: East Syriac books printed in India.

 

12.30–12.40   Noon Prayer (Abuna Abdo Badwi - Maronite Church).

 

 

Session XI

 

Moderator:  Dr. Alison Grace Salvesen

                                                              (Oxford University, UK)

 

14.00–14.30 Ugo Achille Zanetti: "Fraction prayers" in the Coptic Mass.

 

14.30–15.00 Philippa Malas: The illustrations of Syriac lectionary Add. 7170 in the British Library as evidence of cultural exchange.

 

15.00–15.30 Thomas A. Carlson: The nature of the Church (of the East) in Ishaq Shbandnaya’s “Poem on the Divine Economy”.

Session XII

 

Moderator:   Moderator:  Hidemi Takahashi

                                                                 (The University of Tokyo,  Japan)

 

16.00–16.30 Steve Cochrane: Angamaly: a re-examination of its importance in the light of early 9th century Asian comparative history.

 

16.30-17.00 JMF Van Reeth & Peter Strauven: The emergence of the Syriac Oktoèchos: a liturgical translation of the Universe.

 

 

Sunday - 12th September 2010

 

08.00 – 09.30: Holy Qurbana

 

Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Raju Parakkott

                                        (Vicar, St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Church (SEERI))

 

 

Excursion Programme (Foreign Delegates)

 

            10.00: Depart from SEERI. In the list, there are 10 destinations.  Necessary changes in the destinations will be made during the journey, according to feasibility and availability of time. Those interested should give their names at the registration counter by Friday, Sept. 10, to facilitate booking of transportation.

 

1. St. Mary’s Church, Kuravilangadu (There we can see “The boat of Jonah”. This is the only church where the 3-day fast in Kerala is solemnly celebrated. We can also see Pre-Diamper bell with Syriac inscription & Tomb inscriptions in Syriac).

 

2. Visit to Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra, Kappumthala near Kuravilangadu.

 

3.  Kaduthuruthy St. Mary’s Church (Syro-Malabar Knanaya Church with the oldest and biggest granite Cross.

 

4. Pampakuda (The famous Konat collections of Syriac manuscripts, guided by Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konat).

 

5.  Mulanthuruthy Mar Thomman Church   (the venue of several Synods; pre-Diamper Syriac inscriptions on the main entrance and the tomb inscriptions of Mar Koorilos Yuyakim - responsible for West Syriac renaissance in the region).

 

6. Kandanad (Jacobite Syrian) Church, with mural inscriptions on the parish house and facade of the church.

 

7. Tripunithura Nadamel Palli (Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church), with beautiful Syriac inscriptions on the altar & tombs.

 

8. Kadamattam Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church with Syriac inscriptions. Famous for the legend of Kadamattathu Kathanar.

 

9. Pallikkara Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church with Syriac inscriptions and one of the best Portuguese interior decorations of the madbaha.

 

      10. Kothamangalam Cheriyapalli (Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church), famous for Altar and biographical inscriptions in Syriac.

 

Monday - 13th September 2010

 

06.30 – 07.30 Holy Qurbana

Celebrant:  H.E. Mathews Mar Aprem

                                                     (Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church)

Session XIII

 

Moderator:      Rev. Dr. Philip Njaralakkatt

                                                  (Prof. Syriac, Retd. Principal St Thomas College, Pala)

 

08.50-08.55   Prayer Song (Bethany Sisters, Kalathilpadi).

 

08.55–09.30  Erica C.D. Hunter:  Syriac prayer-amulets from Turfan.

 

09.30–10.00  Frederic Alpi: Severus of Antioch and Eastern Churches (512 -518).

 

10.00–10.30   Philip Vysaneth: Music, the language of heart in the Syro-Malankara liturgy and its relation to Raga in the Indian Music.

Session XIV 

 

Moderator: Rev. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha

                                     (Reš Dayro. Mar Thoma Šliha Nazrani Dayara, Nallathanni)

 

11.00–11.30 Thomas Kollamparampil: Multiple covenants and the “People from the

                                    Peoples” in Aphrahat.

 

11.30–12.00 Kuriakose Valavanolickal: Attitude of Aphrahat to the poor.

 

12.00–12.30 Jiphy Mekkattukulam: Acts of Thomas: new findings.

 

12.30–12.40 Noon Prayer (Fr. Saju Keepanassery - West Syriac)

                                   

Session XV 

 

Moderator:  Amir Harrak

                               (Professor, Univ. of Toronto, Canada)

 

 

14.00–14.30 Gebremedhin Dimetros Woldu: The Significance of St. Ephrem in the

                                    Ethiopian Christian Tradition.

14.30–15.00 Rima Smine Gannage: The Iconography of Syriac Lectionaries: British Library Add. 7170 and Vatican Syr. 559.

 

15.00 –15.30  Paul C. Dilley: Heavenly visions in the martyrdom of Mihr-Narse. 

 

Session XVI 

 

Moderator:  Rev. Dr. Mathew Mannakattu

                                             (President, Paurastya Vidya Pitham, Vadavathoor, KTM)

 

16.00–16.30 Jean-Paul Deschler: Word and Meaning: A Glossary in Liturgy and Iconography with special reference to the theology of the Eastern Churches.

 

16.30–17.00  Rifaat Ebied: A Collection of acrostic admonitions in Syriac attributed to St. Ephrem the Syrian.  

                                                

20.40 -21.30  Cultural Programme: (Music, dance etc) led by Msgr. Jacob Vellian and his troupe.

 

Tuesday -14th September 2010

 

Jubilee Celebrations: Liturgy Service

                            Holy Qurbana (09.00 a.m.): 

Chief Celebrant: H. B. Ignatios Youssef III Younan,

                                                                             Syrian Catholic Patriarch of Antioch

            Co-celebrants: The Archbishop and Bishops of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. 

 

             Homily: H.E. Abraham Mar Julios,

                                                  Bishop of Muvattupuzha.

 

11.00 a.m. Public Meeting

 

           To’ ba-šlom – Rev. Fr. M.P. George and Group

 

Prayer Song: Bethany Sisters

 

Welcome Speech: H.G. Thomas Mar Koorilos,

(Metropolitan Archbishop, Tiruvalla & President, SEERI)

 

Presidential address: H.G. Mar Joseph Powathil,

                    (Archbishop Emeritus, Changanacherry & Chairman, Inter-Church Council for Education)

 

Inaugural address: H.B. Ignatios Youssef III Younan,
                    
(Syrian Catholic Patriarch of Antioch)

Felicitations:

 

Rt. Rev. Sebastian Thekethecheril, Bishop of Vijayapuram, Roman Catholic Church.

H.G. Mathews Mar Aprem, Malankara Jacob Syrian Church, Angamaly.

Mr. K. M. Mani, Member of Legislative Assembly.

Mr. V.N. Vasavan, Member of Legislative Assembly, Kottayam.

Dr. Rajan Varghese, PVC, M.G. University, Kottayam.

            Tuvaik SEERI: Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Thelly CMI, Poonjar.

Msgr. Gabriel Quicke, Secretary, Pontifical Council for Christian Unity.

Prelate Prof. Dr. Lothar Waldmüller, Munich, Germany.

Ms. Borgna Luciana, Missio Munich.

Mr. M.L. Thomas, CNEWA.

Abuna Abdo Badwi, Director, School of Sacred Arts, Holy Spirit Univ. Kaslik, Lebanon.

Prof. Andrea Schmidt, Catholic Univ. Louvain, Belgium.

Prof. Jürgen Tubach, Martin Luther Univ. Halle, Germany.

 

Vote of Thanks: Rev. Fr. Raju Parakott

                                                              (Asst. Director, SEERI)

Benediction.  

Photo Session 

 Session XVII (A) 

Moderator:  Prof. Rifaat Ebied                  
                             
(Emeritus Professor of Semitic Studies, University of Sydney, Australia)
 

14.00–14.30  Jürgen Tubach: Indigenous and foreign Christians in the East Arabian dioceses of the hyparchy Persis. 

14.30-15.00  Roula Skaf: La définitude en araméen-Syriaque. 

15.00–15.30    Lutz Greisiger: Emperor Heraclius in Jerusalem as reflected in 7th century Syriac and Hebrew apocalyptic narratives. 

Session XVII (B) 

Moderator: Theresia Hainthaler

                                        (Hochschule Sankt, Georgen, Frankfurt, Germany) 

14.00–14.30  Jacob Vellian: Taksa d’Raze. 

14.30–15.00 Stephen Plathottathil: Ramšo d-Denho: Technical terms and themes of Penquitho

15.00–15.30 Garry Moon Yuen Pang: The historical and theological significance of the Chinese-Syriac Jingjiao Monument in China.

Session XVIII (A) 

Moderator:  Rev. Dr. Abraham Kuruvilla
                                
(Principal Mar Thoma Seminary, Kottayam)
 

16.00–16.30  Behnam Keryo: St. Ephrem, a monk in love. 

16.30–17.00  John Vattanky: Understanding Christian eschatology against the background of the thought of Ephrem and Sankara.

 

Session XVIII (B)  

Moderator: Dr. George Anton Kiraz

                                        (Beth Marduto - Gorgias Press,  USA)
 

16.00–16.30 Kuriakose Moolayil: Printed versions of the Nomocanon 

16.30–17.00 George Menacherry: Realities of South Indian social life and apostolic traditions as reflected in certain hymns of Ephrem.  

Wednesday - 15th September 2010 

Session XIX  

Moderator:  Prof. Erica C.D. Hunter

                                           (SOAS, London Univ., UK) 

08.50-08.55 Prayer Song: Orthodox Theological Seminary Students           

08.55–09.30 Zeki Aydin: Jacob of Sarug’s Mimro on Zakai. 

09.30–10.00 Assad Sauma Assad: Ephrem's commentary on the Blessings of Jacob 

10.00–10.30 Simone Isacco Maria Pratelli: The most ancient manuscripts of the store house of mysteries & Gregorius Barhebraeus’ commentary on the prophets: a few remarks.

Session  XX
 

Moderator:  Fr. Dr. K.M. George

                                  (Principal, Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam) 

11.00–11.30 Sebastian P. Brock: The significance of the new finds of Syriac manuscripts at St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai 

11.30–12.00 Jomy Joseph: The eco-theological perspectives of Ephrem the Syrian.    

12.00-12.30 George Kiraz: The šhimo in the Syriac tradition. 

12.30–12.40 Noon Prayer (West Syriac Orthodox Seminary students)                                 

 

Session  XXI 

Moderator:  Rev. Dr. Thomas Kollamparampil CMI

                                      (President, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore) 

14.00–14.30  Jonathan Loopstra: Perceptions of the Syriac Bible in the works of the 17th century biblical critic Father Richard Simon. 

14.30–15.00  Jincy O.U.:   A study on the commemoration of Sts. Peter and Paul from the Hudra of the Church of the East.  

15.00–15.30   Robert Gabriel: The first printed books in Syriac. 

Session  XXII 

Moderator:     Rev. Fr. Jerome, Peedikaparambil OIC

                                            (Provincial, Navajeevan Province, TVM) 

16.00–16.30   Robin Beth Shamuel: The Western missionaries and the revival of the neo-Aramaic dialects (Sureth). 

16.30–17.00    Shinichi Muto: Christ's descent to the underworld in the
            Khara-Khoto Syriac document found in inner Mongolia. 

Thursday - 16th September 2010 

Session XXIII (A) 

Moderator:  Gaby Abousamra

                                                (Kaslik Uni. Beirut, Lebanon)

 

08.50-08.55  Prayer Song: SEERI Students           

08.55–09.30  Rifaat Ebied & Lionel Wickham: A short Treatise on the Trinity in Syriac  

                                        attributed to St. Ephrem the Syrian. 

09.30–10.00  P.V. Philip: John the Evangelist, the disciple that Jesus loved.           

10.00–10.30  Saju Keeppanasseril: A Homily on the Number 12. 

 

 

Session XXIII (B)     

 

Moderator: Dr. Assad Sauma

                                        (Aram Stockholm, Sweden) 

08.50-08.55  Prayer Song: SEERI Students 

08.55-09.30  Stephen Olikal: The concept of “woman” in Mar Jacob of Sarug’s Mimre.                

9.30-10.00 Varghese George: Tesbuhtho d-Pothuro according to Jacob of Sarug. 

10.00-10.30 Luis Philipe Thomaz: St. Thomas in a 16th century Portuguese poem.

 

Valedictory Session: 11.15 hrs.           

Prayer Song: Rev. Dn. Severios 

Welcome: Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Moolayil Corepiscopa 

Valedictory Address: Prof. K. Mathew, Member, Syndicate, M.G. University             

            Moderator for Evaluations: Dr. Mary Hansbury (Philadelphia, USA) 

            Evaluations: A delegate from each of the following regions/countries is

                                    requested to evaluate this conference:

 

America 

Australia 

Europe 

Far-East 

India 

Middle-East 

Recommendations and suggestions: Open to floor. 

Vote of Thanks:  Rev. Dn. Shaun Mathew (1st Year M A Student) 

Tuvaik seeri & Abun d basmayo

Visit to Mannanam Collection of  Syriac Manuscripts & M. G. University: 16th September 2010

Fr. Prior of the St Joseph Monastery has invited us to visit Mannanam the citadel of Syriac heritage. Those interested may give their names at the registration counter. We will also be visiting Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala’s largest university, which also has the greatest number of affiliated colleges in Kerala. 

Additional Papers           

Nelson P.: Anaphora of Dionysius Areopagite 

Varghese Varghese: Ido d-Denho according to Mar Jacob of Serugh.  

Jose Charuvil: Prayer of peace in the Anaphora of St. James in comparison with those of other Anaphorae. 

John Kannanthanam: Jewish influence on East Syriac traditions with a special mention of marriage ceremonies.                  

            Raju Parakkott: St. Paul according to Narsai. 

            Mathew Kuttiani: Persian martyrs of early 5th century.            

             Johns  Abraham Konat: Cataloguing of the Syriac Manuscripts of  Pampakuda collection.  

            Thomas Mannooramparampil: An ancient Commentary of an anonymous author on the East Syriac Holy Qurbana.

            Jacob Thekeparampil: Simon as tupso – a model for penitence according to Jacob of Serugh.

                 

                                             CRI Meets the Challenge of a New India

The Conference of Religious India (CRI) is to launch a special scheme to prepare new Indian Religious congregation leaders to meet challenges posed by the country’s expected rapid development in the next decade. “There are many people predicting that India will be adeveloped country by the year 2020 and the Catholic Religious will have to prepare for that,” said Brother Mani Mekkunnel, CRI national secretary. He said the conference will organize courses on “visions for the future” for young Religious in its 13 regions across India. “We are planning to bring one Religious aged 30-35 from each region for the program,” Brother Mekkunnel explained. The first session is scheduled for July 1-4 at the Renewal Centre in Kochi, for the Kerala region. The program will conclude with a national convention in March, 2011 in Pune, where more than 1,000 young Religious are expected to attend. CRI represents more than 125,000 Catholic Religious brothers, priests and nuns in India. Some 30,000 religious are aged 30–35.
                                  
 
Religious who participate in the program would become leaders in their congregations and regions by the year 2020, Brother Mekkunnel said. The participants will make a commitment to seek ways to make Religious life more relevant in the modern world. They will set 10 goals to achieve this. Many of the traditional functions done by Religious today will become irrelevant in the next ten years, said Brother Mekkunnel. The Religious will have to look for ways to make their life meaningful and purposeful, he said, adding “nothing will be imposed” on the participants during the program. It would be a collective search, he added.
 

Popes and Ecumenical Thinking 

 Eastern Theology Has Enriched the Whole Church    

  by Pope John Paul II

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. Continuing my reflection on Eastern Christianity, today I would like to focus attention on the development of Eastern theology, which, even in the centuries that followed the age of the Fathers and the sad division with the Apostolic See, led to profound and stimulating perspectives at which the whole Church looks with interest. Although there is still disagreement on this point or that, we must not forget that what unites us is greater than what divides us.

An important doctrinal development occurred between the eighth and ninth centuries after the "iconoclast" crisis unleashed by several Byzantine emperors, who decided radically to suppress the veneration of sacred images. Many were forced to suffer for resisting this absurd imposition. St John Damascene and St Theodore the Studite come to mind in particular. The victorious outcome of their resistance proved decisive not only for devotion and sacred art, but also for a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation. Indeed, in the final analysis the defense of images was based on the fact that God truly became man in Jesus of Nazareth. It is therefore legitimate for the artist to endeavour to portray his face, not only with the aid of his talent, but especially by interior docility to God's Spirit. The images refer to the Mystery that surpasses them, and they help us feel its presence in our life.

2. The hesychast controversy marked another distinctive moment in Eastern theology. In the East, hesychasm means a method of prayer characterized by a deep tranquillity of the spirit, which is engaged in constant contemplation of God by invoking the name of Jesus. There was no lack of tension with the Catholic viewpoint on certain aspects of this practice. However, we should acknowledge the good intentions which guided the defense of this spiritual method, that is, to emphasize the concrete possibility that man is given to unite himself with the Triune God in the intimacy of his heart, in that deep union of grace which Eastern theology likes to describe with the particularly powerful term of "theosis", "divinization".

Precisely in this regard Eastern spirituality has amassed a very rich experience which was vigorously presented in the famous collection of texts significantly entitled Philokalia (love of beauty") and gathered by Nicodemus the Hagiorite at the end of the 18th century. Down the centuries until our day, Eastern theological reflection has undergone interesting developments, not only in the classical areas of the Byzantine and Russian tradition, but also in the Orthodox communities scattered throughout the world. One need only recall, among the many studies worthy of mention, the Theology of Beauty elaborated by Pavel Nikolaievich Evdokimov, which is based on the Eastern art of the icon, and the study of the doctrine of "divinization" by the Orthodox scholar, Loth Borovine.

How many things we have in common! It is time for Catholics and Orthodox to make an extra effort to understand each other better and to recognize with the renewed wonder of brotherhood what the Spirit is accomplishing in their respective traditions towards a new Christian springtime.

3. Let us ask Mary, Mother of Wisdom, to teach us to recognize promptly the infinite expressions of God's presence in the history of mankind. May she help us to concentrate on the positive rather than the negative, and to use all the creativity of mutual understanding for engaging in fruitful dialogue, even on points where differences remain. For this reason, may the Holy Spirit grant us the wisdom of heart so dear to Eastern spirituality and essential to any genuinely Christian experience.

I am pleased to welcome all the English-speaking visitors who have joined us for this Angelus prayer. May these summer holidays be a time of relaxation and spiritual renewal for you and your families.

Today, as we remember St Clare of Assisi, my thoughts turn to the Poor Clares and to all cloistered nuns. I express to them the loftiest esteem which the Christian community has for this kind of life, "a sign of the exclusive union of the Church as Bride with her Lord, whom she loves above all things" (Apostolic Exhortation Vita consecrata, n. 59). By offering themselves to Jesus for the world's salvation, they represent "a joyful proclamation and prophetic anticipation of the possibility offered to every person and to the whole of humanity to live solely for God in Christ Jesus" (ibid.). They therefore deserve my gratitude and that of the whole Church, and an encouragement to persevere faithfully in the cloistered life according to their specific charism.

 

 

Platinum jubilee of CHAI to be held in Hyderabad

The Hindu, Hyderabad, April 26 Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The National Board of the Church History Association of India which met on Saturday has resolved to hold platinum jubilee triennial assembly here in July 2011. A massive exhibition of early Church initiatives dating back to the first century AD covering the themes of socio-economic upliftment, literacy and printing technology initiation, peace promotion and other subjects would be the highlight of the assembly. Historians from India and observers from other countries will attend the event, according to Prof. Snaithong of Shillong and Prof. George Manachery of Kerala, president and general secretary respectively of CHAI.

Hyderabad, 24 April
The Church History Association of India CHAI celebrates its Platinum Jubilee and 15th Triennial together at the American Research Centre Complex Hyderabad / the ACTC on a large scale with five-day long programmes. The National office bearers and the Church History Association of Andhra Pradesh CHAAP the local organisers took this joint decision at a meeting presided over by Bishop Parmar at NCC HQ / Satyodaya, Hyderabad.

More than 18 Scholars will present papers at the Triennial on "Indian Christian Historical- Cultural Studies- Yesterday, today". A platinum Jubilee Commemoration Volume containing 75 learned papers edited by Dr. Oberland Snaithang (CHAI President) and Prof. George Menachery (CHAI Secretary General) will be published on the occasion. A National Essay competition on the preservation of Christian Monuments in India will be conducted under the charge of Dr. Varghese Perayil, prof. Agnes d’Sa, and Rev. Jeramia (ACTC). An Indian Christian Historico-Cultural Exhibition under the auspices of the association’s Northern, North-Eastern, Eastern, Western, and Southern branches will be organised under the leadership of Dr. Oliver, Dr. Francis Thonippara, Dr. Pasupalethi Manasseh, Dr. Thomas Edmunds, Dr. George Ummen, Dr. Mathias Mundadan, Rev. Jeramiah, Rev. P. Diggal and Dr. Leonardo Fernando. The national executive committee and the Twin Cities’ organizing committee solicited the active co-operation of Church leaders and historians to make the CHAI Platinum Jubilee celebrations a success. The delegates were received in typical and traditional Telugu style and decorated with Ponnadas and Veshtis by former Moderator Bishop Rev. Dr. Parmar.  

A Source of Hope
The flourishing Church in India is destined to play a leading role in ecclesiastical affairs
 in the 21st century. in ecclesial affairs in the 21st century.

by Jeff Ziegler

Nearly two millennia ago, a doubting apostle saw, believed, and preached the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Fifteen hundred years later, a student at the University of Paris met Ignatius of Loyola, helped found the Jesuit order, and obeyed an order to accompany the Portuguese who were colonizing the East. The apostolic labors of St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Francis Xavier have borne much fruit in the ensuing centuries. If demography is destiny, then the Church in India, more than any other nation, is destined to play a leading role in ecclesial affairs in the 21st century, much as the Church in France left its mark on the 13th century and the Church in Spain deeply influenced the 16th. At the end of 2007, India’s Catholic population ranked 16th in the world, behind Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, Italy, France, Spain, Colombia, Poland, Argentina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Peru, Venezuela, and Nigeria. Yet more than the faithful of any other nation, India’s 18.6 million Catholics have fostered a culture in which priestly and religious vocations and Catholic institutions flourish. India has more seminarians (14,120) than any other nation—nearly 5,000 more than second-ranked Brazil. (This figure does not include India’s 10,875 high-school seminarians.) Between 1999 and 2007, the number of Indian seminarians increased by an astounding 40 percent. Nearly 64 percent of India’s seminarians will be ordained for religious orders rather than local dioceses. Between 1999 and 2007, the number of diocesan priests ministering in India rose by 24 percent, from 10,690 to 13,290—not counting the 1,032 diocesan priests serving in other nations— while the number of religious-order priests rose by 33 percent, from 8,248 to 11,003. During the same time period, the number of diocesan priests in the United States—which has 67.8 million Catholics—fell by 5 percent, and the number of religious priests plummeted by 17 percent. Vocations to non-ordained religious life are flourishing as well. India has more nuns than any other nation (except Italy), and will soon rank first in the world if trends continue. Between 1999 and 2007, the number of professed women religious grew by 19 percent, from 79,608 to 94,450, during a time

when the number dropped by 23 percent in the US, from 81,364 to 63,250. During the same time period, the number of non-ordained male religious in India rose by 37 percent, from 2,558 to 3,502, while the number declined by 13 percent in the United States to 5,124. Accompanying the continued growth of the priesthood and religious life in India is an institutional presence unmatched anywhere in the world. India has 10,240 Catholic elementary schools with more than three million students— more than any other nation in the world, and more than all the nations of North and Central America combined. India has more than five thousand high schools with over three million students— again, more than any other nation, and more than double the number of Catholic high school students in all of North and Central America. There are more Catholic hospitals in India than in all of North America. Indeed, the Church in India has more hospitals (754), medical dispensaries (2,504), leprosaria (220), and orphanages (2,327) than any other nation. These institutions are desperately needed in a nation where the per capita gross domestic product is $2,900 but 42 percent of the people live on less than $1.25 a day.

Sacramental statistics point to an active missionary presence within India and a seriousness with respect to Catholic marriage. Nearly 17 percent of baptisms in India are baptisms of adult converts; in the United States, the figure is 7 percent. Less than 6 percent of Catholic weddings in India are mixed marriages between a Catholic and non- Catholic spouse; in the United States, the figure is more than 27 percent. In addition, Church authorities in the United States annulled 22,174 marriages in 2007; in India, the number was 801. THRE RITES While the majority of Catholics in India belong to the Latin rite, the Church there is also blessed with the presence of two vibrant Eastern Catholic Churches: the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

In A.D. 52, St. Thomas the Apostle preached the Gospel in what is now the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. The St. Thomas Christians in time adopted the Chaldean liturgical tradition, now used by the Chaldean Catholic Church and the separated Assyrian Church of the East. When Portuguese explorers encountered the St. Thomas Christians in 1498, the latter professed the primacy of the pope. By 1510, Portuguese missionaries began to spread the faith further up the coast at Goa. The Latin Catholic hierarchy was established with the founding of the Diocese of Goa in 1533; its territory stretched at one time from South Africa to China. Even today, the archbishop of Goa and Daman is also known as the Primate of the East and the Patriarch of the East Indies. Latin-rite Catholicism established a much firmer foothold with the arrival of St. Francis Xavier; using Goa as his base, he preached in western India from 1542 to 1545. In time, the Portuguese Latin rite hierarchy angered many St. Thomas Christians down the coast by imposing changes on the ancient Chaldean liturgy. In 1653, thousands of St. Thomas Christians left the Catholic Church and sought communion with the Syrian Orthodox Church, forming the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, which now numbers 2.5 million members. A Malankara Orthodox Syrian monk and bishop, Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, was reconciled with the Holy See in 1930, leading to the formation of the Syro- Malankara Catholic Church, which now has 413,000 faithful and celebrates the sacred liturgy according to the Antiochan tradition. The cause of beatification of Archbishop Mar Ivanios— hailed by G.K. Chesterton as the “Newman of India” when the two met at a Eucharistic congress in Dublin—was opened in 2007.

The St. Thomas Christians who remained faithful to Rome in time became the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Now the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church (after the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church), it is a community of astonishing vitality. Led by the Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, it has 3.7 million faithful, 9,121 priests, 2,607 seminarians, and an astounding 35,000 women religious. The typical Syro- Malabar parish—there are 3,200 of them—has 1,150 laity, three priests, and 11 nuns.

“Not attending Sunday Masses is almost unthinkable for one growing up in a Catholic family,” says Father George Madathiparampil, vicar general of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago, as he discussed the vitality of the Syro- Malabar Catholic Church. “It would even invite social condemnation.” “There is a great respect for the pope and the bishops and hence, here is very little chance of any act of challenge to their authority,” he added. “Humanae Vitae did not create any ripple of disobedience among Indian Catholics.” Both the Syro-Malabar and Syro- Malankara Catholic Churches—unlike the majority of Eastern Catholic Churches—practice the discipline of clerical celibacy.

“In India, renunciation of worldly pleasures is the hallmark of a person of God,” observed Archbishop Benedict Varghese Gregorios Thangalathil, who led the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church from 1955 to 1994. “A celibate Brahmachari is one who lives and moves in Brahman (God),” he noted in a 1993 essay. “If the non-Christians do not fail to see the advantage of celibacy for the good of religion and society, for a Christian…the motives for celibacy are much more deep and the benefits are much more lofty. Jesus, who lived a virgin life and exhorted his close followers to leave all, including marriage and family attachments, is the ultimate inspiration and the most exalted model of perfect renunciation.”

India has more seminarians than any other nation— nearly 5,000 more than second-ranked Brazil. (This figure does not include India’s 10,875 high school seminarians.) February2010_Complete1.indd 16 1/22/2010 1:03:03 PM THEE CATHOLLIIC WORLLD REEPPORT,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 22001100 1177 A MINOR ITY PRESENCE The least Catholic area of the United States is north-central Mississippi, where the 65 counties that form the Diocese of Jackson are 2.4 percent Catholic. India is even less Catholic than north-central Mississippi: only 1.6 percent of India’s 1.17 billion people are Catholic. India remains an overwhelmingly Hindu nation (81 percent) with a substantial Muslim community (13 percent) and a tiny Christian minority (2.3 percent, including Catholics). “In India the people have a sense of religion deeply rooted in them,” says Salesian Father Joseph Parippil, secretary to the archbishop of Guwahati, a northeastern Indian archdiocese where only 1 percent of area residents are Catholic. “All traditional families are deeply religious whatever religion they belong to. The common people do follow their conscience and are ever seeking the spiritual values.”

“Indian Catholic culture is closely linked with the rich cultural tradition of the country,” concurs Professor K.V. Thomaskutty, a historian at St. John’s College in Anchal, Kerala, and one of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church’s most prominent laymen. The vice president of Malankara Catholic Association told CWR that “decaying but still strong family bonds, dependence, love, care, and associations are there in the social structure of the Indian society.” “Even Communism could not establish atheistic Communism, though so far three states have been ruled by the Communist Party,” adds Father Parippil. “Indian Communists are not atheists.”

While India’s deeply religious non- Christian culture in a sense supports Catholic devotional life and the discipline of clerical celibacy, it also has led to the persecution of the Church. The US State Department’s 2009 international religious freedom report notes that “the government has not admitted new resident foreign missionaries since the mid-1960s. There is no national law barring a citizen or foreigner from professing or propagating religious beliefs; however, the Foreigners Act prohibits speaking publicly against the religious beliefs of others.”

Although India is a secular nation whose constitution respects religious freedom, five of India’s 29 state governments have enacted anti-conversion laws, and some states have turned a blind eye to the persecution of Christians. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—which ruled the nation from 1999 to 2004 and remains a major political party—has called for the passage of anti-conversion laws throughout India. Anti-Christian persecution in India attracted worldwide attention in 2008 when violence in the northeastern state of Orissa left 90 dead and fifty thousand homeless (see “Kill Christians and Destroy Their Institutions,” CWR, December 2008). Most anti-Christian persecution, however—such as these incidents that took place during the last six months of 2009—is rarely mentioned in the Western media.

• In July, the BJP government in Karnataka refused to extend a property lease and demanded that a Catholic social service agency return 58 acres to the government. In 1977, the state government had leased the property to the agency to help care for leprosy patients. Over the years, the agency built 60 houses for leprosy and AIDS patients, as well as a factory, a job training center, and a dispensary. Upon implementation, the government decision will leave 360 homeless.

• On July 6, the Supreme Court of India reversed an earlier court ruling and decided to consider a lawsuit by a Muslim student at a Catholic school in Madhya Pradesh. The Muslim student argued that the school was infringing on his religious rights by requiring male students to be clean shaven. Bishop Antony Chirayath of Sagar said he was prepared to undergo a lengthy legal battle to uphold the right of the Church to set disciplinary policies in its schools.

• On July 30, Father James Mukalel was brutally murdered in Karnataka as he was returning from the funeral of another priest. No arrests were made in the case.

• On September 5, Father Varghese Thekkekut, a priest who heads a mission school in Chhattisgarh, was kicked and almost strangled by two young men. No arrests were made in the case.

• On September 29, Maoists in the eastern state of Jharkand kidnapped and beheaded a Catholic police officer.

• In October, thousands of Catholics in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh faced the prospect of the destruction of their homes as the government developed plans to confiscate largely Catholic villages and agricultural land in order to build industrial parks.

• On October 13, a BJP government official in Madhya Pradesh gave the Diocese of Jhabua three days to provide the government with details about Church property and cemeteries. A Church spokesman feared that the order portended a government attempt to control Church institutions.

• On the night of November 7, vandals broke into a parish in Karnataka, desecrated the tabernacle, stole a chalice and two ciboria, and scattered the hosts around the church. Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore— India’s fifth-largest city— denounced government and police apathy.

• On November 20, the bishops of February2010_Complete1.indd 17 1/22/2010 1:03:04 PM 1188 THEE CATHOLLIIC WORLLD REEPPORT,, FFeebbrruuaarryy 22001100 the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka issued a statement against the rise of “moral policing,” in which Hindu fundamentalist groups attack youths from different religions when they socialize together.

• On December 19, a politician and his bodyguards used their rifles to beat Father Lawrence Chittuparambil, director of a Catholic school in the northwestern state of Punjab. Police did not arrest the politician; after the Church closed 150 Catholic schools and the local diocese organized a protest in which 1,500 people blocked all entries to the town where the school was located, the politician turned himself in to police.

• On December 20, a group of militants, invoking the names of Hindu deities, attacked a Christmas fair in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and set fire to biblical representations. The local archbishop lamented that authorities rarely respond to attacks on Christians. Despite these and similar incidents of violence and discrimination, Father Hector D’Souza, provincial of the South Asian Jesuits, told UCA News upon leaving office in 2009: What we need now is real persecution. Persecution can purify us of our lethargy, inactiveness, and failure to live the Gospel. If purification does not come within the Church, God will use other means to purify us. Wherever the Church faced persecution, it has become very strong. For example, the Church in Gujarat…has become alive and vibrant after Hindu radicals targeted it a decade ago. The Church in India was very vibrant when the Bharatiya Janata Party ruled India. People were out on the streets for their rights. Similar things happened after the attacks on Christians in 2008. However, the violence we have experienced is only pinpricks. Real persecution will come only when our structures are affected.

MISS IONAR IES AND REL IGIOUS Although the Church in India is known for its education and charitable institutions, “Indian Catholicism will be mainly associated with missionary activity” in the decades ahead, Father Madathiparampil believes. The statistics support his claim: Catholic missionary vocations are flourishing in India. In 1968, Syro-Malabar Bishop Sebastian Vayalil founded the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle to preach the Gospel in non- Christian regions, principally in India. Today, the order has more than 300 priests. In 1984, the late Father Jose Kailett, a Latin rite priest, founded the Heralds of the Good News, an Indian missionary order whose priests serve in areas where local vocations are lacking, including Guatemala, Italy, Kenya, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States. The order now has 211 priests and 745 seminarians. These male religious congregations, while growing, are not among the world’s largest. Four of the nine largest women’s religious communities, however, are now Indian. Each has more members than the Benedictines, Dominicans, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, School Sisters of Notre Dame, and other well-known women’s communities. The Franciscan Clarist Congregation, founded in 1888, is based in Kerala and combines the spirituality of St. Francis with that of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Assisting the elderly, orphans, lepers, AIDS patients, and others in need, it has 7,078 members, a gain of 156 between 2006 and 2009. The Congregation of the Mother of Carmel, founded in 1866 by Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, was the Syro- Malabar Catholic Church’s first women’s institute. Working in 500 schools and running 18 hospitals, these active Carmelite sisters gained 109 members between 2006 and 2009 and now number 6,508.

The Missionaries of Charity, renowned the world over for of the sanctity of their founder, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-97), serve the poorest of the poor in 133 countries. The Missionaries of Charity have grown to 5,128 members, an increase of 236 between 2006 and 2009.

The Syro-Malabar Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, founded by Bishop Thomas Kurialacherry in 1908, have spread to 100 dioceses. Centered upon Eucharistic adoration, the sisters also serve in the areas of education, health care, missionary work, and publishing. In the past decade, they have begun to staff missions in Kenya and Tanzania. Their membership now stands at 4,654, an increase of 135 between 2006 and 2009.

THREATS TO GROW TH In a November National Catholic Reporter column, John Allen discussed the influence of “adventurous” Indian theologians, including Father Felix Wilfred and Jesuit Fathers Michael Amaladoss and Aloysius Pieris, who “have been controversial because of the various ways in which they try to give positive theological value to non-Christian religions.”

The greatest threats to the dynamism of the Church in India, however, according to those interviewed by CWR, are Western-style secularism and smaller families. “Things are changing even here with all the modern media giving a secular picture and a culture of consumerism,” says Father Parippil.

“Many of the congregations in India struggle hard to find sufficient vocations,” adds Professor Thomaskutty. “Ever increasing secularizing forces, leftist thinking, antagonism on the part of the governments, and a host of similar factors contribute to this phenomenon.” “A weakening in this strong and active Catholic life is happening nowadays as the children move out of this strong Catholic ambience to join professional colleges in big cities,” says Father Madathiparampil. “In those situations, parents [still] take a lot of pains to insist that the children go to church for Sunday Masses.”

The temptations to secularism become greater with emigration. “One of the major challenges is the emigration of the young looking for jobs in Europe and America. It is then they lose the support of a culture that is permeated with religion. They become easily susceptible to the secularism of the countries in which they live and fall from the practice of their faith.” “Indian Catholics always had large families,” Father Madathiparampil adds. “Now things are changing. Families are becoming smaller. Smaller families pose a great danger to the flourishing of the faith, as then the number joining the missionary ranks of the Church will be fewer.”

Father Parippil agrees. “Now the families are becoming smaller and smaller. Within a few years we too will have to face a sharp fall in vocations to religious and priestly life.” n Jeff Ziegler writes from North Carolina. February2010_Complete1.indd 18 1/22/2010 1:03:05 PM

 

The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India
OLLUR Thrissur City India
680306

www.indianchristianity.com , kunjethy@gmail.com , +914872352468, +919846033713 

Cardinal Gracias and Cardinal Toppo Dedicate the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India to the Nation

GUWAHATI, March 3

The publication of the three volumes of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India is a worthy model for the world Churches and an incomparable achievement and contribution of the Church in India, stated Oswald Cardinal Gracias in Guwahati, dedicating the work to the nation. The publication of the third and final volume is something of which the Encyclopaedia team can be justly proud, but they should not rest on their oars but must continue their much needed work of service to the Church in India today, His Eminence went on to say. Telespore P. Cardinal Toppo dedicated the volumes to the world Christian community. The two Cardinals officially released the Encyclopaedia by exchanging copies of the work, in the presence of Archbishops and Bishops from all over India and members of the CBCI Commissions. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Prof. George Menachery the Editor of the Encyclopaedia, and Dr. George Plathottam the secretary of the CBCI Commission for Media also spoke on the occasion.

                           

The Encyclopaedia comprises the contributions of hundreds of well-known scholars from all over India and abroad. There are articles on almost every aspect of Christianity in india, dealing with all chronological, denominational, and geographical divisions. The more than thousand illustrations on art plates, half of them on full colour art plates, in addition to the dozens of maps including a whole Christian and Linguistic atlas of India, and the graphs, tables, figures, and sketches go to make the work an exhaustive reference tool. Each major article is supported by bibliographies and inclusive end-notes, making the encyclopaedia an indispensible reference work for seminaries and teheological colleges. universities and colleges, and libraries of ecclesiastical establishments and headquarters and formation houses of religious congregations.


 

Church in India
C. B. C. I.

 

Origin and Aims

C.B.C.I. is permanent association of the Catholic Hierarchy of India. It was formally constituted in September 1944 at the Conference of Metropolitans held in Madras. Its objectives are to facilitate co-ordinated study and discussion of questions affecting the Church, and adoption of a common policy and effective action in all matters concerning the interests of the Church in India.

General Body

The C.B.C.I. has now 201 members of whom 38 are honorary members. The 163 members with voting right consist of 27 Archbishop-Metropolitans (including one Archbishop-Patriarch), 122 Diocesan Bishops, 1 Co-adjutor Archbishop, 1 Co-adjutor Bishop, 13 Auxiliary Bishops. The members meet for Ordinary General Meetings once in every two years, while Extra-ordinary Meetings are held according to need. At the General Meetings the C.B.C.I. reviews the situation of the Church in India and takes appropriate decision on future plans and actions that are called for. These meetings also consider the annual reports presented by the Secretary General and by the various Commissions.

The C.B.C.I. Centre

The C.B.C.I. Centre is the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. It is headed by the Deputy Secretary General who is assisted by various Secretaries of the C.B.C.I.. The Centre started functioning in 1962. Besides the C.B.C.I. Secretariat the Centre houses the Offices of some of the C.B.C.I. Commissions. Caritas India the Social and Developmental wing of the C.B.C.I. has its headquarters at the centre.

The C.B.C.I. Secretariat

Right from the establishment of the C.B.C.I. in 1944 the Secretariat was functioning in Bangalore until 1962 when it was shifted to Delhi. The functions are to watch over the various movements, to study legislative measures in the States and the Centre; to link together the various sections of the C.B.C.I. and to give information and guidance whenever required.

Statistics at a Glance


1. Ecclesiastical Units

 

Archdioceses
30

Dioceses
129

Total
159

2. Rite
    a) Latin
    b) Syro-Malabar
    c) Syro-Malankara


23
5
2


105
21
4


128
26
6

3. Bishops
    a) Diocesan
    b) Coadjutors
    c) Auxiliaries
    d) Apostolic Visitator
    e) Retired


29
-
10
-
11


123
1
-
2
33


152
1
10
2
44

4. Cardinals

3 (3)

-

3 (6)

Statistics (2003)

Total number of diocesan priests
Religious Priests
Religious Brothers
Religious Sisters
Total no. of Religious Congregations
For men
For women
 

14, 000
13, 500
 4, 300
90, 000
300
70
230
 

Educational Institutions

Institutions

Students

K. G. & Nursery Schools
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Colleges
Medical/Nursing
School/Colleges
Engineering College
 

3, 785
7, 319
3, 765
240

28
5
 

600,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
500,000

10,000
1,500
 

Social Welfare Activities

Technical Training Schools & Polytechnics
Hostels & Boarding Houses
Orphanages
Creches
Hospitals
Dispensaries & Health Centres
Leprosaria
Rehabilitation Centres
Homes for Aged, Destitutes & Physically
Challenged
 

Caldwell’s language laboratory was a small shack
 
CHENNAI: Conversion of the house of Bishop Robert Caldwell at Idayankudi in Tirunelveli district into a memorial will be the second honour bestowed on the scholar, who came to India as a Protestant missionary, by the Tamil Nadu government.

The house was originally a small shack measuring just 17X11 feet when Caldwell occupied it in 1841 after walking down to Idayankudi from Chennai, covering about 800 km. He started the journey in July 1941 and reached the poverty-stricken backward village towards the end of that year, says H Vincent Kumaradoss, a former office bearer of the Church History AAssociation of India (CHAI) , who has written a biography of the Christian missionary from United Kingdom.

After reaching Madras in 1838 as a 24 year-old evangelist, Caldwell spend three years before setting out on the odyssey down south and choosing Idayankudi for his missionary work.

It was at that point that he lived in the small house, even as he was struggling to build the Holy Trinity Church in Idayankudi. It took Caldwell 33 years to build the church, which was consecrated in 1880.

Besides pre a ch i n g , Caldwell, who had graduated from the University of Glasgow, spend enormous time on linguistic research. In 1849 he published an ethnographic treatise on Shanars, the local community of people, and then in 1856 came out with a book on Dravidian grammar.

Besides coining the term ‘Dravidian’, he was the one who first who pointed out that the south Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada - had their origins outside the Indo-Aryan family and that they were distinctly different from Sanskrit.

Honouring the seminal work on Dravidian grammar, the DMK government headed by C N Annadurai installed a statue of Caldwell on the Marina during the second World Tamil Conference that was held in Madras in 1968.

The statue still stand hidden from public glare in a corner.

The shack became a proper house much later when the Idayankudi church congregation felt the need for a bigger accommodation for their pastor.

Caldwell vacated it only in 1882 to move into a Bishop bungalow in Thoothukudi.

The shack, whose both walls you could touch by stretching both hands, was subsequently converted into a parish hall, says Kumaradoss, whose book, Robert Caldwell - A Scholar- Missionary in Colonial South India, is perhaps the only biography of the man who devoted his entire life for the uplift of the backward region in Tamil Nadu, besides setting the tone for the later day Dravidian movement.

Caldwell died in 1891 and his body was interred beneath the chancelled floor of the Holy Trinity Church.


Indian President Pratibha Patil, Vice Prez, Other Dignitaries 
attend Christmas celebration at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The President of India recieives a present at the Christmas function in New Delhi.

The official residence of the President of India witnessed moments of Christmas cheer. There was a Christmas tree and Carols.

The Ashoka Hall in Rashtrapati Bhavan saw important dignitaries enjoying the Carols presented by troupes from the North East and Delhi itself.

In addtion to the President Pratibha Patil herself the Vice President Ahmed Ansari, the wife of Prime Minister Manhoman Singh Gursharan Kaur, Lok Sabha Speaker Meera Kumar and some cabinet Ministers were present.

The Programme featured carol singing by the Shillong Chamber Choir, Meghalaya; the Centenary Methodist Church, Delhi; Zowe Madrigal, Nagaland; St. Thomas Mar Thoma Syrian Church Choir, Delhi; Golden Jubilee Choir, Delhi; Mizo Minstrels Choir, Mizoram; Jesus and Mary College Choir, Delhi and Paranjoti Academy Chorus, Mumbai.

The Christmas Message was delivered by Archbishop of Delhi, Rev. Vincent Concessao.

Last year, the annual traditional programme was not held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in view of the terrorists’ attacks in Mumbai. The festivities were cancelled as a mark of respect for the victims of the attacks.

However, Rashtrapati Bhavan had sent grocery items such as Rice, Sugar, Dal and Ghee to orphanages in Delhi on behalf of the President.

The Christmas celebrations, last year, were also toned down in the wake of violence against Christians in Orissa and Karnataka.

Churches that anticipated huge turnout of pilgrims apparently were discouraged as less people turned up.

In Orissa, although there were no reports of violence, it was a gloomy Christmas for many. Still thousands are said to be living as refugees with lack of food and shelter.

Few of these victims on Dec. 25 will be joining a carol-singing programme at India Gate organised by the Delhi Archdiocese.

"Christmas carols will be sung by the victims of Kandhamal riots who would like to let the world know that Jesus' birthday is a good occasion to be reconciled with all and to share his message of love," said a note from the Archdiocese.

[Courtesy Christian Today India]

India Leads World In Women Religious
 

India led the world in the number of vocations to women’s Religious life in the Catholic Church, statistics show.

 

Asia and Africa made considerable gains in the number of female Religious since 2000, while Europe, Americas and Oceania showed a downward trend, according to Jeff Mirus of Catholic Culture, who analyzed the statistics for the website.
 

In Asia, India recorded an increase of 9,398 women religious during 2002-2007 while Vietnam added 2,545 more nuns. South Korea and the Philippines increased by about 500.

Three Kerala-based congregations and Blessed Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity were among those showing an upward trend in world-wide scenario.

 

The Franciscan Clarist Congregation, the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel and the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continue to attract more members. Another rapidly growing congregation was the Claretian Missionary Sisters.

 

Major losers worldwide are the Salesian Sisters, the Order of Discalced Carmelites, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, the Sisters of Charity of Saints Bartholomea Capitanio and Vincenzia Gerosa and Benedictine Nuns.

 

Upward trend was noticed all across Africa: Tanzania and the Congo increased by around 1,500 while Nigeria, Madagascar, Kenya andAngola added 500 to 800 more nuns.

 

The Middle East and the Caribbean also have added more nuns. Women Religious increased in 99 nations since 2000, according to the analysis.

 

Unfortunately, their gains are not yet quite enough to offset the 4.6 percent decline among women Religious worldwide during 2002-2007.

 

Most losers are the Western nations. For example, Italy had 11,156 less nuns during 2002-2007. The United States came second, losing 10,454 nuns during the period.

 

Germany and France lost around 6,000 nuns each, followed by Canada and Spain each had 4,000 less women Religious. Ireland,Belgium and the Netherlands in Europe, Argentina, Brazil and Columbia have also lost nuns in hundreds.

 

Between 1965 and 1995, the United States had lost 49 percent of its female Religious, while the number dropped by 46 percent in Canada, 44 percent in France, 48 percent in German, 43 percent in Great Britain, 51 percent in the Netherlands.

 

All together, there are about 750,000 women religious serving around the world, or approximately one nun for every 9,000 humans.

Fabulous 50s Christmas Carols

A Holly Jolly Christmas
Burl Ives

Away In A Manger
Loretta Lynn

Christmas Alphabet
The McGuire Sisters

Christmas Country Christmas
The Statler Brothers

Christmas In My Hometown
Sonny James

Christmas Song
Alvin & The Chipmunks

Christmas Times A Coming
Bill Monroe
And The Bluegrass Boys

Christmas Waltz
Frank Sinatra

Christmas Without You
Kenny Rogers
Dolly Parton

Frosty The Snowman
Gene Autry

Grandma Got Run Over
By A Reindeer

Elmo & Patsy

Hard Rock Candy Christmas
Dolly Parton

Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Nat King Cole

Have Yourself A Very
Merry Christmas

Rosemary Clooney

Home For The Holidays
Perry Como

Its Beginning To Look
A Lot Like Christmas

Bing Crosby &
The Andrew Sisters

I Saw Mommy Kissing
Santa Claus

Jimmy Boyd

Its a Most Wonderful
Time Of The Year

Johnny Mathis

Jingle Bell Rock
Bobby Helms

Jingle Bells
Roy Rogers
Most Interesting Middle!

Jingle Bells
Perry Como

Jingle Bells
The Jingle Bell Piggie

Joy To The World
Nat King Cole

Leroy, the Redneck Reindeer
Joe Diffie

Let It Snow
Andy Williams

Lets Put Christ
Back Into Christmas

Tammy Wynette

Little Drummer Boy
Neil Diamond

O Christmas Tree
Nat King Cole

Please Come Home
The Platters

Pretty Paper
Roy Orbison

Rocking Around The
Christmas Tree

Brenda Lee

Rudolph The Red
Nose Reindeer

Gene Autry

Rudolph The Red
Nose Reindeer

Unknown Group

Santa Baby
Cynthia Basinet

Santa Claus Is
Coming To Town

Bing Crosby

Santa Claus Is
Watching You

Ray Stevens

Silver Bells
Bing Crosby/Peggy Lee

Silent Night
Dean Martin

Sleigh Ride
Johnny Mathis

The First Noel
Andy Williams

Up On The Housetop
Gene Autry

White Christmas
Bing Crosby

White Christmas
The Drifters (1954)

Winter Wonderland
Brenda Lee

Christmas
With Elvis

Father Joseph Neuner, SJ, at 96 : A Retrospect from ExpressIndia 

Father Joseph Neuner, SJ, 96 Fr Neuner is a renowned theology professor teaching at different theological institutes. Through his long life he has witnessed landmark events such as the two World Wars, the rise of Nazism and communism and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. Fr Neuner came to India and Pune due to an accident of fate - two others who had been appointed to be sent to Pune were not able to get the certificate of tropical fitness while Fr Neuner was able to do so. Neuner has written several books.

TREASURED TIMES: “Working in the service of Church life in India has always being my mission. I treasured the moments when I shared my insights on theology with the priests and parishes. I have been lucky to have been in close association with Mother Teresa and a committee member when preparatory steps had been taken in the process of beatification. Not only that, I was in close contact with Mother Anna Huberta in setting up the Helpers of Mary, a diocesan congregation of the Archbishop of Bombay, “ muses Fr Neuner.

A FULL DAY: Ask him what is his way of life today and he smiles. “By God’s grace, I do not suffer from any ailments. I spend time meeting with people who come to seek my spiritual guidance. I read books on the Church life from across the globe. I also write forewords and prefaces for books penned by theology scholars as well as letters to my Jesuit friends.”

His day starts at 5.30 am with prayers, followed by a walk. My meals are a typical Indian breakfast and lunch, while for dinner I prefer a bowl of soup with chappatis. My day ends at sharp ten pm.”

LONGEVITY LINES: ‘‘Life is immortal. It must be carried on in the service of humanity without thinking about dying,”he believes.

WISHES: To meet the new Pope when he is elected.

Jesuit Father Joseph Neuner, dead at 101, eulogized
by Thomas C. Fox on Dec. 07, 2009
Courtesey NCR Today

Jesuit Father Jesuit Father Joseph Neuner, spiritual advisor to Mother Teresa and probably the world’s oldest Jesuit, died Dec. 3 at 101 in Pune, India. Neuner, born in 1908 at Feldkirch in Austria, had been a Puneite since 1938. For many years, he taught theology at the city-based Jnana Deep Vidyapeeth. In the 1960s, Neuner served as an expert at the Second Vatican Council.

Janina Gomes, an NCR contributor and author of the recently published "Prayers from the Heart," (Pauline Publications @ Sister Bombay Society), wrote the following tribute.

IDEAL PRIEST

By Janina Gomes

If ever there was an ideal priest, I knew one. Father Joseph Neuner, who died at the ripe age of 101 years, sowed many seeds in his life and also reaped a spiritual harvest that is only possible for the faithful, humble and true servants of God.

I knew him for well over 30 years. As a friend, he saw me through the best and the worst, through moments of failure and moments of success. He wrote letters faithfully, even to those others had given up on, and I was one of them. I remember Fr. Richard De Smet, another Jesuit giant telling me that Neuner had an apostolate of letters. He wrote faithfully to those who needed spiritual direction and help in their lives.

A great theologian, who worked on documents for the Second Vatican no doubt, but his spirituality was practical and down to earth. I remember once writing to him about a bathroom leakage I had in my flat. When he visited next, he walked in and immediately asked to see the leakage. That must be what great theology is like, irretrievably linked to the daily and mundane details of life.

How did such a prolific priest who wrote regularly for, the Indian theological journal, Vidya Jyoti, in a series called ‘Listening to the Spirit’ get his originality and wisdom? When he was teaching theology at De Nobili College, he would everyday take a walk to the graveyard and meditate, most in touch with life by reflecting on death.

I remember the long walk he once took me on, the open maidan outside De Nobili. He was able to understand and resonate with the young as well as the old. I also remember the times I would meet him at Shradhha Vihar (He was founder of the Daughters of the Helpers of Mary and wrote their constitution.). He would share with me the special meals made for him by the nuns and be the generous host that he was.

Neuner was a walking marvel. He could walk from Bandra Station to my house and back, taking everything in his stride. When he had a fall and injured himself, once again it was the hardy, determined side of him that won over and gave him a longer lease of life. He was still exercising through most of the latter years.

He did present me with his memoirs which he wrote at the age of 90. But, his personality and person were much richer than a book could capture. He had a capacity to reason and analyze that would be the envy of many a scholar, but it was balanced by an earthy humaneness, compassion and quite strength.

I have a vivid memory of him in a bright yellow cotton checked shirt showing me the original rosary presented to him at his ordination, which he had tucked below his pillow.
The last I saw him was about a year ago still concelebrating mass from a wheelchair. Though he did not recognize people, he was still lucid in mind in many respects.

I once wanted to write a profile of him, but did not do it to his satisfaction and he was a little bit of a perfectionist in his work. What I could not do when he was alive, I am now attempting to do after his death- to pay tribute to a great soul and an ideal priest.

 

Josef Neuner S.J. passed away last night (Dec. 3);
Funeral today (Dec. 4)at Papal Seminary, Pune

Forwarded by Srampikal, sj, from Rome 

4th December 2009 

This is Fr. Noel Sheth, S.J. writing. I am at present in Manila, the Philippines, teaching a course on Buddhism at the Ateneo de Manila. I just got news about the passing away of Fr. Josef Neuner, S.J. Please pass on this news (see below) to those who knew him. The death of this renowned theologian, peritus of Vatican II, and one of the pillars of Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, leaves a great void in Pune, in India and the world.

 

Centenarian Fr. Josef Neuner, S.J. passed away last night (3rd December, the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, Patron of India) at the Pune Provincial's House, Sanjeevan Ashram. His funeral is at 4.30 p.m. today in Papal Seminary-Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth. He will be buried in the Campus Cemetery, in accordance with his wish to be buried in the place where he spent most of his life, animating the professors and the students, building up the Church in India and radiating his influence throughout the world. 

 

I thank God for the gift of Neuner to Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, to Pune, to India and the world. May he continue to be an inspiration to all of us and in this way live on in our memories and our deeds. 

RIP

Noel Sheth, S.J.--

Prof. Dr. Noel Sheth, S.J.
Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth
Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Religion
Ramwadi, Pune 411014,
India.
Tel.(Residence): 91-(0)20-41036237.

CHAI Southern India Branch 14th Triennial Conference
Thrissur Deepavali 2009
 

The CHAI SIB 14th Triennial commenced with a welcome procession in which the delegates and dignitaries assembled at the Archbishop's House Junction were ceremonially received and led to the venue of the Conference by the Caparisoned Elephant Unnikrishnan of the Thiruvambady Devaswom, one of the two Devaswoms most closely associated with the Thrissur Pooram Festival.

Invocation : Thamasorma Jyothir....
The CHAI SIB 14th Triennial Thrissur
DBCLC Hall 17th October, 2009.

 

 

Welcome Speech : Chev. Prof. George Menachery, General Conveneor of the Conference and CHAI Nat'l General Secretary. Dr. Thonippara and Dr. Thomas Edmunds are also in the picture.


 


Seated on the dais are (l to r) : Dr. Francis Thonippara (SIB Secretary cum Treasurer), Dr. "Cardinal " Thomas Edmunds (CHAI Nat'l Vice-President), Metropolitan Dr. Mar Aprem, Catholicos Elect Paulose Mar Milithios who inaugurated the Conference, Therambil Ramakrishnan MLA and former Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Dr. Oberland Snaitang (CHAI Nat'l President), Dr. P. Manesseh (SIB President), and Charls Dias MP (CHAI SIB Executive Committee Member).
 
Catholicos Elect Paulose Mar Milithios inaugurates the 14th SIB Triennial by lighting the bronze Nilavilakku. Second in the picture from the left is P. C. Chacko MP who presided over the function.
 
Delegate Gudrun Lowner with Unnikrishnan the caparisoned elephant.
 

Adv. Therambil releases the CHAI Thrissur Conference Souvenir

 


Dr. Thonippara toasts Charls Dias MP, our Exe. Com. member, newly nominated to the Lok Sabha by the President of India


New Delhi
Pre-View Function of Volume III of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of इंडिया
 


 


 


 

 

 

 

PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE 14th CHAI TRIENNIAL SHILLONG 2009

And the Study Tour and Panel Discussion

Dr. Jose Kalapura:

Christianity and Marginalised Communites in India

Academic Session I

Moderator: Dr. Kranti K. Farias

Dr. Samuel Jayakumar:

Christianity as a Change Agent in Indian Society: Ministry of the Poor and Oppressed Chridren of India

Dr. Varghese Perayil:

Christianity and Dalit Liberation

Dr. Thomas Edmunds:

The Impact of Christian Charismatic Songs of Rev. Fr. S. J. Berchmans on the marginalised communities in Tamil Nadu, India : A Critical Study

Dr. P. C. Laltani:

Women as Marginalised Community within the Mizoram Presbyterian Church

Academic Session II

Moderator: Prof. George Menachery

Dr. Jeanette Pinto:

The Siddis of Karnataka: From Slaves to Scheduled Tribe

Dr. S. Santha Prabhuraj:

Missed Dei Marginalis : The Nilgaria: A Case Study

Dr. Charles Dias:

European Descendants in Kerala: A Discriminated Sect

Dr. John Alexander:

Christianity as a Factor in Stamping out of Head Hunting Practice in Nagaland

[Study Tour of Don Bosco Musem Guided by

Dr. George Maliekkal]

Academic Session III

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Edmunds

Dr. Gladson Jathanna:

Representation of Bhoota Worshippers of South Kanara in the Annual reports of Basel Missionaries (1834 - 1860)

Dr. D. Christin Das:

V. V. Thomas -Understanding Subaltern History

Dr. V. L. Hruaia Khiangte:

Analysis of Sources in the History of Christianity in Mizoram: A Critique from a Mizo Christian Perspective

Academic Session IV

Moderator: Dr. Vanlalchhuanawma

Dr. Joan Dias:

Folklore and Oral Tradition as an Expession of Progress and Development in South Gujarat

Dr. Alex Mathew:

The Role of Pratyaksha Reksha Daiva Sabha: Emancipation of Dalits w.s.r.t. Sri Kumaragurudevan

Prof. George Menachery:

Impact of the Christian Presence on the Situation of Women in 19th Century Kerala

Dr. Pratap Digal:

Khonds in Khondamal: Problems and Prospects

Academic Session V

Moderator: Dr. Francis Thonippara

Dr. N. Benjamin:

Up from Agricultural Backwardness - Life and Times of San Higginbuttom (1874 - 1958)

Dr. Kranti Farias:

Within Bounds No More: Christian Work with the Marginalised Communities of Maharashtra

Dr. Anto Florence:

Contribution of Christianity to Education

Dr. Cosme Jose Costa:

Apostolic Christianity in Goa

Panel Discussion:

Christianity in North East India : A Vision for the Future

Academic Session VI

Moderator: Dr. Jeanette Pinto

 

Dr. George Oommen:

Gandhi’s Early Christian Encounter

Sandeep Gaikwad:

Sale of Church Property in Mumbai &c. : Issues and Remedial Actions

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Dr. John Alexander:

Christianity as a Factor in Stamping out of Head Hunting Practice in Nagaland

[Study Tour of Don Bosco Musem Guided  by Dr. George Maliekkal]

Academic Session III

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Edmunds

Dr. Gladson Jathanna:

Representation of Bhoota Worshippers of South Kanara in the Annual reports of Basel Missionaries (1834 - 1860)

Dr. D. Christin Das:

V. V. Thomas -Understanding Subaltern History

Dr. V. L. Hruaia Khiangte:

Analysis of Sources in the History of Christianity in Mizoram: A Critique from a Mizo Christian Perspective

Academic Session IV

Moderator: Dr. Vanlalchhuanawma

Dr. Joan Dias:

Folklore and Oral Tradition as an Expession of Progress and Development in South Gujarat

Dr. Alex Mathew:

The Role of Pratyaksha Reksha Daiva Sabha: Emancipation of Dalits w.s.r.t. Sri Kumaragurudevan

Prof. George Menachery:

Impact of the Christian Presence on the Situation of Women in 19th Century Kerala

Dr. Pratap Digal:

Khonds in Khondamal: Problems and Prospects

Academic Session V

Moderator: Dr. Francis Thonippara

Dr. N. Benjamin:

Up from Agricultural Backwardness  - Life and Times of San Higginbuttom (1874 - 1958)

Dr. Kranti Farias:

Within Bounds No More: Christian Work with the Marginalised Communities of Maharashtra

Dr. Anto Florence:

Contribution of Christianity to Education

Dr. Cosme Jose Costa:

Apostolic Christianity in Goa

Panel Discussion:

Christianity in North East India : A Vision for the Future

Academic Session VI

Moderator: Dr. Jeanette Pinto

 

Dr. George Oommen:

Gandhi’s Early Christian Encounter

Sandeep Gaikwad:

Sale of Church Property in Mumbai &c. :  Issues and Remedial Actions

Communication for Proclamation

CICS - General Information - Director F. Jacob Srampickal, SJ

a. Introduction

The Centre for Interdisciplinary Communication Studies (CICS) was established at the Pontifical Gregorian University, with the purpose of "examining the problems and opportunities which mass communication offers for proclaiming the Gospel message and in general for theological and philosophical language," and thus being "of service to all Christian communities in their dialogue with the contemporary world." (Carlo Maria Martini, S.J., Opening Address for the Academic Year 1978-79, and repeated on February 28, 1981, when the CICS was instituted.)

b. A Vision of Communication Studies within the Church

The Gregorian is an ecclesiastical university, and so the primary aim of the CICS is to develop a vision for communication and media involvement in the Catholic Church as envisaged by the documents Inter Mirifica, Communio et Progressio, Aetatis Novae and others. The primary mission of the CICS is to train church leaders in communication through academic research in areas relevant to the church’s mandate in communication. The focus of the programme is three-fold: theological, philosophical and socio-cultural. The CICS promotes a research-oriented approach rather than a technical-equipment-related approach in all its training. Hence areas of study such as communication as communion, the philosophy of and theories of communication, theology and communication, the psychology and spirituality of communication, semiotics, ethics of the media, communication and development, cultural and group media, media aesthetics, media and religion, sociology of the media, etc are important. Besides giving the students basic technical know-how through hands-on training in all aspects of media production, the courses in pastoral communication, theology of communication, homiletics, training of the diocesan directors of communicators, are all aimed at directly aimed at serving the church’s mission.

The CICS plays an important role in preparing persons for leadership in communication in the church, including the training of professors of Communications in Catholic universities and seminaries, of directors of communication and of media offices on the diocesan level and for Episcopal conferences, and of educated and capable Catholic men and women who can play a crucial role in formulating communications and media policies in their own countries.

Many of our former students are now providing valuable services in these areas in various parts of the world.

Staffed by a group of international professors, CICS invites students from all over the world, who are trained to work meaningfully in various areas of communication in their country.

c. The Philosophy of the CICS programme

The Centre for Interdisciplinary Communications Studies envisages the development of clear perspectives on the complex reality of communication; with a mix of theory and research, it intends to adapt to the changing situations in and needs of the Church.

In fact, reaching beyond the confines of any specific local church or nation, communication studies in the CICS stresses the following three areas:

  • The importance of a cultural studies approach and a design and development of media to promote local cultures;

  • The importance of a participatory, community media approach;

  • The importance of developing media products which favour justice and democratization.

With these general goals as background, the CICS aims to help those preparing for administrative, planning and teaching positions in the communication work of the Church worldwide. It focuses on preparing future Church leaders, who understand the world and the Church and who think critically with the Church, enabling it to face the complex challenges generated by the explosion of media messages in the modern world.

The CICS programme of study concentrates on the impact of mass media on culture and on the consequences such impact has for proclaiming the Gospel in the contemporary world.

The programme therefore is articulated into four areas or dimensions:

  • The «theological-philosophical dimension»,

  • the «semiotic-cultural dimension»,

  • the «socio-cultural dimension»,

  • the «practical, pastoral dimension».

Taking its cue from the Church document, “Redemptoris Missio”, people trained in media in ecclesiastic universities must be “evangelisers of the media”.

The media products they create or develop must, along with a high level of professional expertise, demonstrate the following qualities:

  • be able to discern and promote the issue of human rights and of Christian values;

  • be able to move their viewers to influence communication policies for the welfare of society, they must be a “leaven, that spreads the hope of the gospel”;

  • give voice to the voice-suppressed, empower the weak, the marginalized, women, minorities, etc.

  • create awareness among people regarding the real issues in their society, without getting lost in the inevitable glamour and manipulation of the media world;

  • educate people to become watchdogs of democracy, contributing to the development of an egalitarian society;

  • be respectful of indigenous cultures, demonstrating a clear understanding of their uniqueness and richness.

As the Puebla document of the Church in Latin America emphasizes , "Media training must equip professionals to adopt a critical attitude toward the bombardments launched by the mass media and to counteract the impact of media’s alienating messages, whether ideological, cultural, or promotional."

Syro Malabar Processions / Pradakhinams in NRK NRI Cities / Communities 

May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself.

From

Prof. George Menachery

Ollur Thrissur City 680306

0091 487 235 2468, 0091 487 235 4398, 0091 98460 33713

kunjethy@gmail.com,kunjethy@yahoo.com

Your Esteemed and Respected Grace,

May I humbly request your Grace to go through the following and take appropriate action if thought fit.

In the circumstances obtaining among the NRK/NRI Syro-Malabar communities in many Indian and foreign cities the Nazranies hardly get any chance to get together or to maintain their identity. Hence one possibility is for them to celebrate the Ormapperunnal of our father St. Thomas the Apostle with at least a public procession inside the church campus or if possible outside it, with all the cultural elements of our Pradakhinams or church processions.

It could be any one of the four types of processions we have - 1.intra-church procession, 2.procession rounding the open-air cross (this won’t be possible in most cases outside Kerala), 3.procession around the church building or campus, or 4. procession along the streets or Angadies.

I have found how happy our people are to congregate on such occasions - whether in the Americas or Europe or the Middle East, especially in the US and the Gulf, and how proud our people are of our cultural traditions and individuality.. A Syro- Malabar Mass may be said where ( and only where) the local hierarch permits it. Otherwise it can be a well attended religio-cultural event to which there could be no objection from any quarter. Such a programme, I feel - and am convinced from experience in different parts of the world - could and will go a long way to unite our people and to hold them together in the memory of our heritage and roots. AND it could be a first step in many ways.

These Pradakhinams or processions must have as many of the following elements as possible: 1. A gold(en) processional cross with the red (or other) sheath. 2.Two silver(y) crosses with sheaths. 3.Many colourful parasols or umbrellas viz. Muthukkudas. 4. At least one processional Roopakkoodu to carry the image of St. Thomas &c. typically decorated. 5.Band sets and typical Kerala Vadyams and Melams including drummers. 6. Fancy fire-works where permissible. 7. Public and common preparation and distribution of Kozhalappam, Achappam, Unni Appam, Neyyappam, and other Syro-Malabar confectionaries.

May I humbly request your Grace to immediately issue a special circular to the NRKs/NRIs exhorting them to hold such a procession and celebration beginning with this July 3rd itself.

Thanking Your Grace,

Your Graces’ obedient servant,

Prof. George Menachery.

p.s.Establishing a Bahya Kerala - Bahya Bharata Diocese for agreeable areas at least must be another priority.

p.p.s. Could we think of a reserve team of priests willing to serve these communities from time to time on special occasions and to give them cultural experiences and guidance in the form of seminars, video fests, power-point talks &c. occasionally?

Prof. George Menachery elected General Secretary of CHAI (Church History Association of India)

SHILLONG, May 10

At the Church History Association of India (CHAI) Triennial General Body Meeting held at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) , Shillong, Prof. George Menachery was elected General Secretary of the Association for the next three years. He was working as national vice-president for the last three years.

Dr. O.L. Snaitang, Meghalaya (President), Rev. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmunds, Tamil Nadu (Vice- President), Dr. Agnes de’Sa, Maharashtra (Joint Secretary), S. Edathikavil, DVK, Karnataka (Treasurer), were also elected. Dr. Verghese  Perayil (Aroor), Dr. George Oommen (Deradun) were the other members elected to the Board of Trustees, . Dr. A. M. Mundadan will continue as the Editor-in-Charge of the ongoing History of Christianity in India project while Dr. Joe Kalappura (Patna) was appointed editor of the CHAI Journal, Indian Church History Review (ICHR).

The 14th Triennial of the Southern India region will be held in Thrissur in October, 2009 while the 15th Triennial of the National Association and the Platinum Jubilee will be hosted by the Southern India Branch.

The Vice-Chancellor of the NEHU, Dr. Pramod Tandon inaugurated the meet, presided over by the President of CHAI, Dr. Kranthi Farias. The Key Note address was delivered by Dr. J. Kalappura, Secretary.

The NE regional president Dr. O. L. Snaitang, secretary and Registrar cum Controller of the NEHU Dr. David Syiemlieh were the main organisers of the meet at which more than 20 papers on the Theme of the Conference "Christianity and the Marginalised in India" were presented by scholars from every region of india.

 

The new office-bearers and members of the Board of Trustees of CHAI, the Church History Association of India elected at the Shillong Triennial. (From left to right):Dr. Varghese Perayil (Member of the BOT), Dr. Agnes de'Sa (Joint Secretary), Prof. George Menachery (General Secretary), Dr. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmonds (Vice - president),  Dr. O. L. Snaitang (President), Fr. Sebastian Edathikkavil (Treasurer), Dr. George Oommen (Member BOT), and Dr. Jose Kalappura ( Editor, ICHR).

Some of the distinguished participants and delegates at the 14th Triennial of CHAI at Shillong.



 

ANNOUNCEMENT

14th CHAI Southern Branch Conference


My Dear CHAI SIB Members,
A General Gathering of the CHAI Southern Branch was held on May 5, 2009 at Shillong. It was decided to have the next CHAI Southern Branch Conference held at Trichur from the Afternoon of Saturday October 17th to the Afternoon of Monday October 19th, 2009 in the premises of the Archbishop’s House, Trichur. SIB members please note down the dates and make sure of your participation. Prof. Chev. George Menachery (Ollur, 680306. 09846033713, kunjethy@gmail.com) has already begun the local level planning of the Conference. Rev. Dr. Samuel Jayakumar will co-ordinate the scholarly papers to be presented at the Conference.
The main theme of the Conference will be: " Challenges and Prospects of Christianity in India Today". Those who are interested in presenting papers may contact: Rev. Dr. Samuel Jayakumar. 19/C (new No. 26), Appadurai Main Street, Ayanavaram, Chennai 600023, Tel.: 044- 26602134, 09445107984, revsjayakumar@yahoo.co.uk
Registration fee for the Conference (Rs. 300) may be sent to me by M.O. Early confirmation of your participation would be appreciated.
With warm regards,
Francis Thonippara
CMI, CHAI Southern Branch Secretary.080 41116230, 09480582973 fthonippara@dvk.in, president@dvk.in
Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara, CMI, President / Principal, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Pontifical Athenaeum of Philosophy, Theology, and Canon Law, Dharmaram College, Bangalore, 560029.
 

Archbishop Cyril Vasil New Secretary of Oriental Congregation 

Congratulations of Indian Christianity to
Archbishop Cyril Vasil New Secretary of Oriental Congregation

 

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Jesuit Fr Cyril Vasil as the new Secretary of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Until now he has been Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute. The Holy Father has also appointed him titular Archbishop of Ptolemais in Libya.

Biography:
Fr Cyril Vasil, S.J., was born on 10 April 1965 in Košice, Slovakia. He attended the University of Bratislava's School of Theology from 1982 to 1987. He was ordained priest in 1987.

He entered the Society of Jesus on 15 October 1990 and was solemnly professed in 2001.

He earned a license in canon law (JCL) in 1989 and a doctorate (JCD) in 1994, both from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome.

In 2002 he was elected Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Canon Law and Pro-Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute. In May 2007 he was appointed Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute.

He is a consulter to the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. He attended the Synod of Bishops in 2005 as an expert. He is a visiting professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and the Universities of Bratislava and Trnava. In 2003 he was named spiritual counsellor to the International Union of the Guides and Scouts of Europe.

In addition to Slovak, he knows Latin, Italian, English, Russian, Ukrainian, French, German, Spanish, Greek and Old Church Slavonic.

He is the author of a number of books and articles and is a collaborator of the Vatican Radio.

Cordial and Personal THANKS of the the Editor and Christian Encyclopaedia Staff to Dear Fr. Matthew Elapanickal 

On Monday, 20th April 2009 the inmates of Mount St. Thomas including the Major Archbishop Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil together with Their Graces Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, Mar Andrews Thazhath and Their Excellencies Mar Mathew Arackal, Mar Thomas Chakiath, and Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath and the Rev. Sisters belonging to the FCC, CMC and SABS Congregations who had rendered service at Mount St. Thomas and the distinguished guests and Rev. Fathers from the CMI Generalate, MST Media Centre, representative from CNEWA and others somehow connected with the ministry of Fr. Mathew Elappanickal at Mount St. Thomas gathered to bid him farewell during a lunch organized in his honour. Fr. Mathew Elappanickal having completed two terms of as the Finance Officer of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia handed over the reins of administration of the Curia to his successor Fr. Mathew Pulimoottil, from the eparchy of Thamarassery who was serving as the Director of the Pastoral Missionary Orientation Centre and the Procurator of START in the eparchy of Thamarassery. Fr. Antony Kollannur, the Chancellor and the newly appointed Superior of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia welcomed the guests. His Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil in his address summed up the sentiments of everyone present and said that Fr. Mathew Elappanickal has transformed Mount St. Thomas to a beautiful garden, to a family of love for the inmates and a home for anyone who visited it by his amazing hospitable nature. He presented Fr. Mathew with a bronze plaque as a memento of his meritorious service at the curia for the past ten years and wished him further success in his future ministry. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Bishop Mathew Arackal and Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath and Sr. Teresitta, the mother superior of the SH Convent at Mount St. Thomas acknowledged the great service of Fr. Elappanickal and gave expression to the deep gratitude each one of them and the entire Syro-Malabar Church owed to Fr. Mathew Elappanickal. Fr. Mathew Pulimoottil, the newly appointed finance officer introduced himself and assured the gathering that he would be at the service of the Church in this new office with total dedication and commitment. In his reply, Fr. Mathew Elappanickal thanked the gathering for the fine words and expressed his satisfaction that he could serve the Church effectively for the last 10 years as the Finance Officer of the Curia. Fr. Pauly Kannookadan, the Executive Director of LRC, was the Master of Ceremonies and gave the vote of thanks. Fr. Mathew Elappanickal will assume his new office (which is yet to be disclosed) by the middle of May. We wish him continued success in his future ministry in the Archeparchy of Kottayam.

JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND, FEB. 19, 2008, 16.20 Hrs (CBCI News)

Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly has been elected new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) today at Jamshedpur.

Also, Archbishop of Bombay and President of CCBI (Latin Rite) Cardinal Oswald Gracias has been elected as the First Vice President, Major Archbishop of Trivandrum Moran Mor Baselios Mar Cleemis Catholicos as the Second Vice President and Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes re-elected as Secretary General.

80-year cardinal Vithayathil is presently head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

Cardinal Vithayathil was born on 29th May 1927 of Thresiamma and Justice Joseph Vithayathil at North Parur, had his school education at North Parur and Thiruvanathapuram, and his college education at University College Thiruvanathapuram, and St. Joseph College, Trichy.

Joining Redemptorist Order, Varkey Vithayathil professed as its member on 2nd August 1947, and after completing his studies in Philosophy and Theology he was ordained Priest on 12 the June 1954.

In 1955 he went to Rome for his studies in common law at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) from where he took doctorate in 1959 on “The Origin and Progress of the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy”.

After coming back from Rome, Dr. Varkey Vithayathil served as professor of Canon Law for about 25 years at the Redemptorist Major Seminary, Bangalore.

In 1972 he took his Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Karnataka University. He also taught different subjects in several other Seminaries in Bangalore. He served as the Provincial Superior of the Redemptorist Order from 1978 to ’84, and as president of the CRI from 1984 to ’85.

Rev. Dr. Varkey Vithayathil was nominated Titular Bishop of “Antinoe” and the Apostolic Administrator of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church and of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. He was consecrated bishop in Rome by Pope John Paul II on 6th January 1997.

He assumed charge of the