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

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

12 e-books on Christian India

www.indianchristianity.com celebrates its 12 years in existence by hosting the 12th e-book The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India celebrates its Ruby Jubilee by publishing the 3rd Volume and by hosting 40 articles and papers on www.indianchristianity.com, www.nazraney.com, www.menachery.org

Prof. George Menachery "The Famous Ollur Church" (Malayalam)

Prof. George Menachery -Thomas Christian Culture: Indianisation, Indigenisation, Inculturation

Christian Presence in Indian Architecture	Life of Apostle St. Thomas

 

Prof. George  Menachery Malayalam Book:The Elephant and the Nazraney -
 Elephant Theme and Sculptures in Kerala Thomas Christian Churches

 

‘Buon Natale’ enters Guinness World Records
TODAY'S PAPER » NATIONAL » KERALA
THRISSUR, December 28, 2014

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT (THE HINDU)

For the record:Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath addressing a gathering of Santa Claus (right) on Saturday.— Photos: HINDU

: ‘Buon Natale’, a Christmas procession taken out here on Saturday by the Thrissur Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, entered the Guinness World Records for having the largest number of people dressed up as Santa Claus (Father Christmas).
18,112 people
With 18,112 people donning the red-and-white costumes, the procession was declared at 4.35 p.m. “the largest gathering of Santa Claus” by authorities of the Guinness World Records.
Pontifical Lateran University Major Rector Archbishop Enrico dal Covolo witnessed the procession.
Elaborate arrangements
Elaborate arrangements were made for counting the participants.

Manorama Photo
M.P. Vincent, MLA, Thrissur Mayor Rajan Pallan, District Collector M.S. Jaya, Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, Auxiliary Bishop Raphael Thattil, KPCC general secretary Padmaja Venugopal, and Cochin Devaswom Board president M.P. Bhaskaran Nair were present.
 

Dear scholars,

May I invite your attention to the attachment where details of the International Conference proposed to be held from 23-25 Feb. 2014 on megalithic burial sites of south India wsrt Kerala and possible Jewish Connection of these sites followed by a tour of megalithic monuments on the 26th are given. You are invited to participate. If you have suggestions for papers pl. share it with me.

-Prof. George Menachery, Chairman Organising Committee.

kunjethy@gmail.com 00919846033713

Pope declares as Saints two Blessed from Kerala

COURTSEY THE HINDU

Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sr. Euphrasia Eluvanthinkal

Pope Francis on Sunday declared Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluventhinkal from India as Saints at Vatican.

With their Canonisation, as the finale of the long-drawn process is known in Catholic parlance, the centuries old Syro Malabar Catholic Church has three Saints, the first being Sister Alphonsa raised to the revered rank in 2008.
The two from Kerala were declared as Saints during a special mass at St Peter’s Square at Vatican, Syro Malabar Catholic Church sources said here.

According to church scholars, Syro Malabar Church, which traces its origin to the visit of Apostle St. Thomas to the Kerala coast in the first century AD, is one of the 22 Eastern Churches in Full Communion with Rome.
The Pope declared Chavara and Euphrasia as Saints during a special mass at St Peter’s Square at Vatican, a moment shared in elation and spiritual fervour by churches across Kerala where the faithful throng in large numbers for thanks giving service and prayers.

A large number of devotees, two Cardinals, bishops and clergy and nuns from Kerala attended the ceremony at Vatican also.

Three places closely associated to the lives of Chavara and Euprhasia at Mannman in Kottayam, Koonammavu in Ernakulam and Ollur in Thrissur have already been in a jubilant mood for the last several days.

Founder of the congregation Carmalites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), F. Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805-1871) was more than a spiritual leader of Syro Malabar Catholic community.

Historians and church chroniclers consider him as a social reformer who gave thrust to secular education of not only Catholics but also of children other communities, especially the depressed classes. Incidentally, one of the first institutions he founded was a Sanskrit school.

As the Prior General of the congregation, Chavara also took initiative for setting up a printing press and encouraged the community leaders to launch its own publications.

The CMI has over the decades set up a large number of educational and charity organisations within and outside Kerala, drawing inspiration from the work and vision of its founder.

He was born in a family of modest means at Kainakari village in Kuttanad in Alappuzha district on February 10, 1805. He entered the seminary for training as a priest at a young age. After his ordination in 1829, he took the initiative to form the CMI in 1831, the first congregation for men in the Syro Malabar Church.

The Canonisation procedures in his case began long back and was declared a Venerable in 1984 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II, during his visit to Kerala in 1986.

Sister Euprhasia was a spiritual person who chose to live in the confines of a convent in Thrissur helping the people who came seeking her support

“Evuprasiamma”, as she is known to the members of the local community around her convent in Ollur, brought spiritual solace to the people who approached her through prayers and wise counsel.

Sister Euphrasia, who was born on October 17, 1877 at Arnattukara in Thrissur and died in 1952, was significantly a member of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC), founded by Chavara for women.
She was declared Servant of God in 1987 and beatified in 2006 after the approval of a miracle attributed through her intercession by the Vatican panel set up to consider her case for Sainthood.
 

Euphrasia was living saint for the faithful

Sister Athanasia studied at St. Mary’s Convent School, Ollur. “I used to watch Sister Euphrasia praying with a rosary in her hand in the chapel. Whenever we faced some problems either in school or at home, we used to ask Sister Euphrasia to pray for us. She was a living saint,” says Sister Athanasia.

Later when she became a nun, Sister Athanasia had opportunity to spend time with Sister Euphrasia in the convent. Sister Cleopatra, Mother of St. Mary’s Convent, was another nun who had an opportunity to be with Sister Euphrasia. She initiated the procedures for the canonisation of Sister Euphrasia. She will be in the group going to Rome to witness the canonisation ceremonies.
Sister Euphrasia’s family has another Euphrasia — granddaughter of her brother. She was named after Sister Euphrasia when her mother developed complications during her delivery. The family believes that the blessings of Sister Euphrasia helped overcome the crisis. Sister Euphrasia herself named the child Euphrasia.

Devotees are thronging the tomb of Sister Euphrasia at St. Mary’s Convent, Ollur.

Since the Vatican announced the date of canonisation of Mother Euphrasia on November 23, special prayers are being held regularly at the chapel.

The chapel that housed the tomb was a popular pilgrim centre much before Sister Euphrasia was named Servant of God by the Church, Sister Cleopatra, Mother of the St. Mary’s Convent said.

She was considered a saint by her fellow nuns and the people of Ollur long before the Church took the decision to canonise her. She spent her entire life in prayers and was an epitome of sacrifice. Many miracles have been attributed to Sister Euphrasia even when she was alive, said Sr. Cleopatra.

She said she was lucky to be with Sister Euphrasia at St. Mary’s Convent. Sister Cleopatra took the initiative for the procedures of canonisation as provincial at the convent.

“I have been visiting the chapel every week for the last one year,” said Rosy Francis of Thrissur. Life of Sister Euphrasia is a role model for each devotee, she said. More than 600 people are going to Rome from the district to take part in the canonisation ceremonies. Meanwhile, a torchlight procession will be taken out by the State Committee of the Christian Life Community on November 23. It would start from Kattur, Sister Euphrasia’s hometown and conclude at St. Mary’s Church, where she served for many years. –THE HINDU

It took more than 28 years to complete the canonisation procedures of Sister Euphrasia.

The procedures for the nomination of Sister Euphrasia for the sainthood were started in 1986 when Mar Joseph Kundukulam was Bishop of Thrissur.

She was declared Servant of God in 2002 and Blessed in 2006. The Vatican has recognised many miracles that have happened through Sister Euphrasia’s intercession.

Satsang

Satsang, a Thrissur-based socio-cultural group, has organised a story telling programme on life of Sister Euphrasia. Hundreds of school students attended the story telling session Oru Muthumaniyude Kadhaorganised at St. Mary’s Convent on Wednesday.

Self denial makes a person a saint, said Mon. Francis Alappat, patron of the Satsang. Great people like Mahatma Gandhi, Sree Buddha and Sister Euphrasia practiced self denial. Human values are much greater than money, he said.

 

 

ISBN 81-87133-10-4
Mega Malayalam Book by Prof. George Menachery
Price Rs. 1200/- Pre publication price till March Rs. 800/- Send money to SARAS,[ South Asia Research Assistance Services],
OLLUR 680306 Kerala India pallikkalakal@gmail.com  www.indianchristianity.com

Mega Malayalam Book on the art, architecture and cultural heritage of the Thomas Christians. Full book printed on art paper in full colour. One thousand full colour photographs, sketches, plans, maps, epigraphic reproductions on Nazraney heritage. Published on Easter Day, 2014. Price Rs. 1200/- Pre-pub price until March 800/- only. Book your copy by remitting the amount to SARAS, Ollur, 680306. Or transfer amount to A/c SARAS , South Indian Bank, Holy Angel’s Road Branch, Ollur, 680306. A/c Name : SARAS A/c No. 0533073000000008 IFSC Code SIBL 0000533 SWIFT Code SOININ55

Wednesday Morning

More black smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 11:40 a.m. March 13, though it is “no smoking day”,  indicating that the 115 cardinal electors failed to elect a pope on their second and third ballots.

The cardinals had voted once yesterday March 12 without electing a pope. According to the schedule published before the conclave, the cardinals were to take two votes in the morning of their first full day in the Sistine Chapel and return to their residence at 1 p.m. for lunch if the voting was unsuccessful. Now they will be back in the Cappella in the afternoon for two more votes today.

Romans, pilgrims, and tourists began arriving in St Peter's Square early today  morning in spite of the almost torrential rains, hoping to get a glimpse of history by watching for white smoke from the chapel chimney. "It's an incredible moment, but we want the rain to go away," said one chimney watcher.

And in the afternoon white smoke came out. He who entered the Conclave as Cardinal has come out in the white cassock. Except for the much expected election of Cardinal Ratzinger always a dark horse had won. And South America with more than a third of the world Catholic population surely deserved it and as I earlier remarked it was a football match between Brazil and Argentina and Argentina won. If any place needs a counter-reformation, even more than Africa, it was South America, and the Cardinals have chosen well. And now the South American dictators have reason to shiver in their shoes, as JPII's election made Eastern Europe tremble and burst. By choosing the name Francesco he has shot down two birds at one shot: Francis of Assisi is the beloved of Italy and the new Pope's mode of operation resembles the saint's. And the veneration for the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier could be hidden in the choice, and some regard for India and the East too.

The evening was even colder than Tuesday and the rains were almost incessant. But an even greater crowd waited patiently for the smoke, black or if luck could have it, white. The slogan shouting and occasional prayers gave some relief. But the real relief was the bird which came and perched for such a long time on the cap of the smoke-stack. Probably it was a little warm as the tube was connected to the stoves below in the Sistine Chapel. Anyway the Albatross like vision of the bird gave the rain hoisting crowd something to rest their eyes on. An old fashioned journalist like me thought of the bird as the Holy Ghost whispering the necessary inspiration to the befuddled Cardinals through the thin pipe, and so I was sure it would be white smoke this time. And wnen a small, infinitesimally small, row of lights was switched on some fifteen minutes before the smoke show I was certain the Cardinals had come to a decision. Soon, not so soon, followed the Habemus Papam which was followed by the Pope’s appearance on the central balcony which was now adorned with the papal maroon? tapesties.

 

Black Smoke for the first time in 2013
 

After a short siesta I started back to the Piezza San Petro by about 4 p m. When I reached the Square the huge screens installed there were showing the oathtaking of the Cardinals in the Sistine after their colourful procession to the Sistine form the Pauline chapel, gliding two by two along the Scala Regia. Although Cardinal Alencherry is third in the lists of Electors he was seen taking the oath as 87^th or 88^th and Cardinal Thottunkal followed after three or four other Cardinals in the oath taking. The Vatican spokesan,  Federico Lombardi, who was present for the swearing in said with a smile “They were all there. We counted”.

Soon after that the papal master of ceremonies, Msgr. Guido Marini, pronounced the words “extra omnes” that is “Everyone Out”. A large number of attendants, clergymen, and Vatican officials were seen trooping out of the huge wooden door. Then he closed the doors with a loud click and locked. The Con – Clave had begun. They wrote the name of their candidate on rectangular pieces of paper and tipped them into a flying-saucer-shaped urn, to be counted by hand and recorded by three cardinals chosen by lot

Then the waiting of the crowd began. The day was long, rainy, and very cold. But the crowd only increased as time went on. As it grew dark and the Sistine smoke stack became invisible the giant screens captured it for all to see. But for the flying of birds near the chimney which was seen on the screen there was little else going. The the lights on the Basilica and the Palace came on step by step. Finally it was a wonderful sight. By seven of the clock the Square must have contained thousands upn thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and tradition loving Romans. At 7.41 the tube began to spew black smoke, not like the wisps of smoke in past conclaves, but huge billows of really black smoke thanks to the second electronic stove this time and the chemicals used for black smoke: The Vatican now uses a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene and sulphur to produce black smoke and potassium chlorate, lactose and rosin for white, the Vatican says on its website. I still remember the straw and coal pieces or pitch I took and put in my coat pocket as souvenirs from near the single stove in 1978 when a few of us were allowed to see Area Conclava. The new arrangements makes it certain that black smoke is black and white smoke white, and you need not listen to the huge Vatican bell Kanchenone or other Roman church bells to make sure a new Pope has been elected.

As the whole periphery of the Bernini colonnade was barricaded the crowd found it difficult to go out of the Square, and many old priests and elderly nuns even were found jumping the barricades, with unfortunate results sometimes. Hope a few openings will be left in the coming days.

The Mass for the Election of the Pope

Missa Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice (Mass for the Election of a Roman Pontiff) 

So Tuesday has dawned the 12th of March, the day the Conclave starts. But before the Cardinals enter the Conclave, today early in the morning at 7 am, they go to occupy their room for the Conclave duration in St. Martha's House ( many reporters call it a hotel, of course it has 3-star amenities in 100 odd suites and more than a dozen single rooms, but it was ordered by John Paul II as a residence for those coming with official appointments with the Pope and for Cardinals during the election, esp. because of the cramped accommodation in the Sistine area, experienced by John Paul himself as Cardinal during the two elections of 1978) which each has drawn in Saturday's lot. From there they proceeded to the Basilica at around 9.30 for the mass for the election of the Pope. I have just rushed out of the Basilica after Cardinal Sodano’s sermon during the mass. The ceremonies began at around 9.30 with the rosary followed by various prayers and ceremonies given in the special liturgical palmphlet distributed to all as is the custom. Last time in 1978 I could not attend all these pre-mass prayers and ceremonies because as one of the fourteen journalists out of 1300 allowed to photograph the event I was still waiting outside the Basilica side entrance for Cardinal Parecattil to arrive for the mass whom I wanted to photograph, and he was the very last to come. So I entered the Basilica only after the preliminary ceremonies. But this time I took my seats provided for the press up front in the Basilica just behind the 115 princes of the Church - in 1978 only we 14 were given such seats, if I remember right early enough so that I could witness and enjoy all the pomp and glory of the opening of the Solemn Mass, this time by Cardinal Sodano – a non electorunlike the last time in 2005 when Cardinal Ratzinger an elector himself said the Mass and gave the sermon – and the sermon also by Sodana. But entering the Basilica late last time I was fortunate catch the latecoming Cardinal Woijtiw on my Minolta  which was the last picture of John Paul II as Cardinal and one of his rarest  preconclave photos (see www.indianchristianity.com/html/menachery/html/GeorgeMenachery.htm )

The beautiful procession of the cardinals to the altar (which already had its six lighted candles), following the sleeba cross flanked by two candles and all the red of the cardinals and the huge crowd of Archbishops, Bishops, Monsignori, Priests, nuns, lay men and colourfully dressed women was a sight to see. I especially noticed with delight a large number of Indian Cardinals kissing the Bible (I think) one by one before the Mass. Especially Cardinal Alenchery who is always No. 3 of the electors by virtue of his alphabetical primacy, and Cardinal Thottunkal ( the second Thottungal to be Bishop I think after Clemens) though at the end of the lists as T is towards the end prominent in all assemblies because of his head dress and because he is the youngest Cardinal Elector. As I am typing from a portal in the media center after rushing out of the Basilica on a typewriter with Italian keyboard and typing in a hurry there will be many mistakes. Hope to send a better message from my room later.Bye for now. (I just discovered the apostrophe and now I shall change all the commas used instead till now). (The American journalist next to me was telling me that she thought that there was no apostrophe for the Italians. OK)

The Cardinals go to Martha's at around 12 and return to the Pauline chapel to begin the precession into the Sistine for prayers, meditation by the Maltese non-elector Cardinal Prosper GRECH and for the oath of secrecy followed by the first vote of the conclave this very evening. At around 5 pm the first smoke will come out, probably black. In any case I want to see that and before that let me take a bite of something from the menu which has a lot of things I can't understand at the Media Canteen.

Possible Popes

I do not want to pick any for the future papacy. First of all almost all prophecies in the past have proven wrong. In most cases, except perhaps in the case of Cardinal Ratzinger, the Italian proverb has proved right: He who enters the Conclave Pope comes out Cardinal. We saw this happening again and again, the last time in 1978 Cardinal Siri was believed sure to be elected Pope and also Cardinal Benelli but the pundits were proved wrong by the reality. This time around, as often in the past, the Cardinal electors are supposed to be looking for "personal holiness and a keen mind combined with a global vision, a capacity to evangelize, and the ability to govern “ in the would be pope.

And yet it would be unnatural for a Vatican – Watcher to keep mum about the matter. And hence here we go:

The pundits and the punters have given us many names. Some of the names suggested have ceased to have buyers any more. A few new names have taken the place of some of the old papabili. The following is only some musings on the topic, based on watching the Vatican for well nigh 35 years and having researched the ways of the Church for four decades, but let me say it again this is mostly only a media game to keep the suspense alive, because the final winner might well be a dark horse.

One of the very first who rose into first place as the papal contender both according to the media and the punters was Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, of Ghana. The exhortations for an African Pope in modern times found Turkson the fittest papabile. But two things have slightly marred his prospects. One: a speech he made depicting muslims not in the best of colours. Two: His remark on the day after benedict’s resignation announcement in which he said he is ready to be pope if God so wished. This type of self projection has been looked down upon by cardinals for a long time and I pointed out this on the same day. In fact Cardinal Siriri’s bright prospects were dimmed because he gave a press conference the day before a previous Conclave.

From the English speaking world and the Commonwealth countries there are half a dozen papabili: From North America we have Cardinals Timothy Dolan of New York, Sean O’Malley of Boston and Donald Wuerl of Washington from the USA and Cardinal Marc  Ouellet from Canada. However the front runners as of today are Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milan – previously of Venice- of Italy and Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Brazil. Others perceived as having a chance are Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary, Cardinal Sandri (now heading the Oriental Congregation) from Argentina, and Cardinal Tagle of Philippines. Cardinals from Sri Lanka, Austria are also among those tipped. As i have mentioned on my site and elsewhere India’s Oswald Gracias might be discerned as the most suitable, perhaps.Each Journalist I question give a different name depending upon his own perceptions, wish list, and nationality.

Whatever might be the prophecies as things stand only the third or fourth day of the Conclave can  give us a definite answer.

SUNDAY MORNING

As I was saying, when I went into the Sistine Chapel on Saturday I had wanted to compare the arrangements in the Cappella now with that of 35 years back when John Paul Second was elected. Indeed the situation was entirely different. First of all now the transferring of the Chapel and adjoining halls was only at the initial stages. In 1978 I visited the Area Conclave when all the changes were already in place. Because the Cardinals were staying this time in the St. Martha’s House (Domus Sanctae Marthae), a modern 3 star quality residence building near St. Peter’s completed by John Paul II in 1996 to avoid the inconveniences and hardships of the Cardinals, all forced to stay during previous Conclaves in the little makeshift cubicles in the halls adjoining the Chapel, the only place this time to visit was the Chapel itself. Last time our tour took a long time as we scrutinised the beds, the dining arrangements, the sanitary sections for the electors. Then I remember to have pointed out to some of the leading world pressmen that every table in the dining area had containers with India’s own pepper. Since the tour this time was quite short, though I was able tospend an hour in the Chapel area, more Journalists were allowed to visit this time. Somehow the sense of wonder that was with all the media men allowed to visit was lacking this time, perhaps because all the secrets of the secret Conclave were coming out in the media every day and at length and with lots of graphics and videos.

Sunday was a day of rest, with even the energetic Fr. Francisco Lombardy s.j. deciding not to give one of his lengthy briefings. The Cardinals were free to visit their titular churches in Rome and to say the Mass and pray. Most of them did so while I went to the papal summer resort where I had an appointment with an ecclesiastic acquaintance in Castel Gandolfo which I had visited last Sunday also. The Alba lakeshore is a magnet that no one who has gone there once could resist, with its cycles, cats, birds, calm, chill, and Shanthi, and of course the rustic Tratorias and Pizzerias.

The Sistine Chimney and the Two Stoves Installed

Early in the morning of Saturday 9^th March, 2013 when I was heading towards the Media Centre of the Vatican Press Office (catering to the 4000 odd Temporarily accredited media persons) for perhaps the final briefing session before the Conclave by Frederico Lombardi and his efficient team, situated between the first left columns of Bernini, I looked up once again to see whether the chimney has been erected on top of the Sistine Chapel to snake out black and white smoke to indicate non-election or election of a new Pope as the case may be. Yesterday even late in the evening it was not there. In 1978 I went up to the top of the Chapel when the thin pipe had just been installed and in spite of the policemen guarding the pipe was able to just touch the historic tube to the furious reaction of the arm of the law which I have described in my “Vatican Adventure and Roman Holiday”. Click here for the whole story: www.indianchristianity.com/html/menachery/html/GeorgeMenachery.htm  But now I found the Vatican firefighters , I could count at least three of them, hard at work to install the world attention grabbing Chimney. I took a few photographs and was pleased to find Reuters’ photographers just in front of me trying different angles to get the best pic. In case my own pictures turn out not so  good  I could always steal theirs after one or two days, or was it ethical to do so. I checked to see whether my name was there among the first lot of Journalista selected to visit the Conclave Area, but did not find it in the list. But soon Father Lombardi announced that those who still wanted to make that visit could go to the right fountain in front of the Basilica (that is Bernini’s fountain for you) where arrangements would be made to take the Media personnel to the Sistine, though the Sistine was closed to visitors as of Tuesday noon.

I straight away gathered my things together and was about to get up and don my overcoat (today, unlike yesterday, there were no rains) when an Italian Journalist and her Cameraman asked me for my Portal seat if I were leaving.  I gladly gave them my seat and went like an arrow to Bernini’s fountain. Actually the media briefings were getting a little boring as there was mighty little to announce because the media made everything known much before the briefing. Visiting the Chapel being prepared for the Cardinal Electors was much higher up on my agenda. Actually I wanted to compare the present arrangements with the 1978 Conclave Area arrangements which were allowed to be visited by a team of only 60 journalists (out of 1300) which number fortunately had included the present writer also.

At the fountain I met a young person with the Accreditation Card hanging from his neck. So I asked him “Is this the  rendezvous”, and he said yes.  He was from Chicago and his name was John Paul. I said “Oh!”. He explained that when John Paul II had come to Chicago in 1980 his parents were in the audience. His mother was expecting then. She made a vow then if the child was a boy they would call him John Paul. And he was the outcome. At that time the gentle Bruno from Sala Stampa appeared from behind and said, “So, Prof. Menachery, you want to come with us to the Chapel”. It seems he had arranged a special tour for some vvips I understood. I said I would love to. And we proceeded to the Sistine, climbing the scores of steps of the Stairs of the Kings. I do not remember whether in 1978 we had taken the same steps. But then at forty climbing those steps did not make much of an impression, but now at 75 it really felt like climbing the Everest. We saw the many workmen transferring the Chapel to suit the needs of the election. Restorers, electricians, mechanics, carpenters, seamstresses, assemblers, electronic technicians and other labourers from various areas of competence suddenly have replaced the hundreds of tourists who visit the Sistine Chapel every day (20,000 tourists per day in summer to be exact). I took some photos of the levelling of the floor – for three reasons: to provide a level surface for the chairs (115 cherry wood chairs) of the electors, for them to walk to the altar to vote and to work. Secondly to conceal the electronic devices to prevent the use of mobiles and hidden cameras, and also to protect the wonderful floor of the Sistine. I also photographed the two stoves. This time there are two: one for burning the ballots of the cardinals – for this the old stove cast in 1938 (I remember this because I was born in that year) used for the election of five popes already is used, which has the popes’ names etched on it as I had noticed in 1978. Now it has the names of  Pius XII elected in 1939 to that of  Benedict XVI (2005). The modern one, equipped with an electronic device, will add the chemicals to produce the black or white smoke indicating the result of the voting until the election occurs. The second stove has a key, a red start button and seven tiny temperature indicator lights. Flares will be electronically ignited inside it to send out either white or black smoke. I finally had one more look at the great Last Judgement of Michelangelo under which the cardinals will stand to put their ballots into the paten and then slide it into the chalice.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias for Pope

I propose Cardinal Oswald Gracias for Pope. Two weeks back I would not have made such a, perhaps. surprising statement. Then I was thinking that one of the media’s proposed papabili or a punters’ choice would be and should be elected Pope without much ado. But having arrived in Rome on the 25th of February and having watched with concern almost bordering on consternation the chaos and confusion caused also by the media revelations each and every day and the Cardinals’ own responses and reactions in public and in private I have been forced to suggest an entirely new name for the meditation of the electors.. My experiences in Rome during papal elections and other occasions and my four decades long research into and study of the Church emboldens me to make this suggestion. Cardinal Gracias who considers himself a Goan Catholic, comes from “non-aligned” and generally independent thinking India, a Commonwealth country, a leader of the third world, and a country which still provides a large number of religious and priestly vocations, with an almost self-dependent Church, and active in all mission fields globally. Cardinal Gracias is known to be impartial, highly knowledgable,  an excellent leader, heading with demonstrated skill in holding together a Catholic community divided by heterogenous groups of rites, castes, tribes, languages, and regions in a country whose population is as large as the world Catholic population. He heads one of the largest Archdioceses in the world, is the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, and was elected FABC Secretary General. His good record in the fields of ecumenism and dialogue has been much appreciated.  Of course I am carrying coal to Newcastle as the Cardinals surely know their man. He is a man for all seasons and the man for our own turbulent and uncertain times. --Chev. Prof. George Menachery, Chief Editor: Christian Encyclopaedia of India, a temporarily accredited journalist in the Vatican.

POPE RESIGNS Papal Election. Eye Witness Account of the Pope’s Election in the Vatican. John Paul II Election Surprises by Prof. George Menachery. VATICAN ADVENTURE AND ROMAN HOLIDAY ELECTING A NEW POPE: THE CONCLAVE AND ALL THAT LAST DAYS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II     Church Elephants of Kerala Every old Syrian or Thomas Christian or Nazraney Church of Kerala has two exquisitely carved wooden elephants supporting its main beam, one a fully caparisoned Festival Elephant and the other a Plain Working Elephant used mainly to pull and carry heavy weights like timber.      iNDIA'S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE Ed. Dr. O. L. Snaitang & Prof. George Menachery  CHAI Publication The Church History Association of India  Rs. 1200 US$ 60 Order from: CHAI, Dharmaram College Dharmaram College PO, Bangalore - 29   Cardinal Oswald Gracias  of Mumbai (Bombay) Speaks at the Synod of Bishops   Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and General Secretary  of the Federation of Asian Bishops said that the continent of Asia is experiencing "the hopes and joys of a constant rebirth in the Spirit." While saying that the continent has a rich culture, the cardinal identified three major areas of work that focus on three major challenges in the area. Cardinal Gracias said that "we need to have dialogue with cultures, a dialogue with the poor and a dialogue with religions: to study what the Gospel mandate means to us in our relationship with these three major realities." The greatest challenge he identified within the continent is that of globalization, stating that it first began as an economic process which led to free competition, many times at the expense of poorer countries, has now turned into "phenomenon of culture". "It impacts cherished Asian cultural values bringing in its wake materialism, individualism, consumerism and relativism. The youth in particular are very vulnerable to its effects. The effects of globalization are seen overall affecting our value systems. Traditional Asian values, much cherished traditions and cultures are being impacted and eroded. " Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, went on to tell the synod that Asia is experiencing a boom in communications technology. "This is not to be viewed as a threat, but a great gift from God to be used to spread the good news." The cardinal said the church must help parents, pastors and teachers who can train young people to use the new media and to benefit from them. Bishops at the Synod, HB Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, Syro Malabar Major-Archbishop in the foreground. VATICAN 7-28 Oct 2012: World's bishops at synod - 50 years after Vatican II The 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will focus on a new missionary consciousness "aimed primarily at Europe and North America, concentrating on the societies where Christianity was once dominant but has seen a dramatic drop in influence in recent decades." The statement suggests the bishops won't be wrestling with an issue widely attributed the drop -- clergy sex abuse scandals, which haven't spared bishops. The Second Vatican Council, announced by Pope John XXIII in 1959, opened on 11 Oct 1962 and lasted for three years. It remains a symbol, controversial to some, of the church's readiness to adapt to modern life. Few see any Vatican readiness to place the sex abuse scandals at the top of the issues confronting the venerable Church, though Church-based inquiries have been launched on both sides of the Atlantic. According to The Guardian newspaper on Nov 30, Amnesty International has called for an independent inquiry into clerical child sex abuse in Northern Ireland after internal Catholic Church reports found the clergy guilty of inaction over paedophile priests. The Church in the United States has also had to deal with numerous cases of clergy abuse of children. Cardinal Bernard Law resigned in disgrace as Boston’s archbishop in 2002 after the priest sex abuse scandal erupted in the United States. AP reported on Nov 21 that he has resigned from the Rome job that followed. In a Dec 2 address to US bishops, Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the sex abuse issue, defended the Church's handling of it, then moved on to "the new evangelization," the official theme of the October synod as the recommended primary focus of US bishops. He noted that many of the bishops shared with him their concern about the "grave challenges" presented by an increasingly secularised society in the United States. In March, Catholic Culture noted that the “new evangelization” is a term introduced into regular usage at the Vatican by Pope John Paul II, and taken up by Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, the first president of the new body, has said the effort will be aimed primarily at Europe and North America, concentrating on the societies where Christianity was once dominant but has seen a dramatic drop in influence in recent decades. The world’s episcopal conferences, and to the synods of the Eastern Catholic churches will be asked to comment on the preliminary document on which the Synod's deliberations will be based. The preface to the document, the lineamenta, explains evangelization as a constant duty of the Church, and the “new evangelization” as an effort designed to reach “those who have moved away from the Church, those who have been baptized but not sufficiently evangelized.” The Pope urged the world's bishops on Sunday Oct. 7 2012 to try to bring back Catholics who have left the church as he opened a three-week meeting to reinvigorate the church's evangelization mission. Some 262 cardinals, bishops and priests from around the world are in Rome for the meeting, or synod, called to give impetus to the pope's efforts to re-evangelize parts of the world where Catholicism has fallen by the wayside. At the start of the Mass, Benedict named two new "doctors" of the church, conferring one of the Catholic Church's highest honors on the 16th-century Spanish preacher, St. John of Avila, and the 12th-century German mystic, St. Hildegard of Bingen. They join the ranks of only 33 other church doctors who have been singled out over the course of Christianity for their contributions to and influence on Catholic doctrine. Benedict has long lamented that in Europe and the Americas, Catholics no longer practice their faith or pass it onto their children. That concern is reflected in the synod's working document that will form the basis of discussion over the next three weeks. "There is a clear link between the crisis in faith and the crisis in marriage," the pope said. The so-called "new evangelization" is a top priority for Benedict, who routinely laments how cultures in Europe and the West that were once profoundly Christian have become increasingly secular. The church has been beset by competition from rival Protestant churches in Latin America, dissent from Catholics who oppose church teaching on homosexuality and desertions in the U.S. and Europe from Catholics fed up by years of sex abuse scandals. "The church exists to evangelize," Benedict said in his homily, urging a new missionary spirit among the church's pastors to reawaken the faith among Catholics who have been baptized but no longer practice their faith. The synod coincides with the 50th anniversary of the start of the Second Vatican Council, the 1962-65 church meetings that modernized the church. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, was named by Benedict to run the meeting. At the start of the Mass, Cardinal Angelo Amato, head of the Vatican's saint-making office, read aloud the reasons why the church was proclaiming St. John and St. Hildegard doctors, saying their "holiness and eminent doctrine" shine hundreds of years after they lived. Benedict is particularly fond of Hildegard, who was considered a saint in her native Germany but was never officially proclaimed one by the Vatican. Benedict, who himself referred to Hildegard as a saint, earlier this year passed the decree making her one officially, a requirement for her to be named a church doctor. The last church doctor named was St. Therese of Lisieux, France, in 1997. The first church doctors were Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome and Gregory the Great.   Pope Benedict XVI leads a Mass for the opening of the synod of bishops in St. Peter’s square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012.   Pope Benedict XVI, standing on a car at right, waves to faithful as he is leaves after celebrating a mass for the opening of the synod of bishops in St. Peter's Square.. Pope Benedict has also named two new "doctors" of the church, conferring the Catholic Church's highest honour on a 16th-century Spanish preacher St. John of Avila, and to St. Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century German mystic who was canonised earlier this year. The tapestry of St. John of Avila hangs from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica during the opening of the synod . The tapestry of St. Hildegard of Bingen hangs from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica during the opening of the synod.

Church Historian Dr. A. Mathias Mundadan Passes Away World renowned Indian Church Historian Dr. A. M. Mundadan, General Editor of the prestigious History of Christianity in India series of the Church History Association of India (CHAI), and first president of the Dharmaram Pontifical Institute, Bangalore passed away at 4.30 p. m. yesterday the 31st of August 2012 at Alwaye, Ernakulam.  The funeral will take place today 1st September at 2.30 p. m. at the St. Ant[h]ony’s Monastery, Alwaye next to the railway station and a few metres away from the KSRTC station, where he was residing now for a number of years nursing the research institute Jeevass which was very close to his heart. A member of the editorial board of the St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India from 1971 and the organiser of a number of Christian Cultural and Historical Exhibitions, beginning with the exhibition at Dharmaram College, 1972, he has a number of publications to his credit including: The History of Christianity in India upto the Middle of the Sixteenth Century(CHAI 1984), The Arrival of the Portuguese in India and the Thomas Christians under Mar Jacob, 1498 – 1552 (1967), Sixteenth Century Traditions of St. Thomas Christians (1970), Indian Christians: Search for Identity and Struggle for Autonomy (1984). He was the Rector of Dharmaram College and the Provincial of the Sacred Heart Province, Rajagiri of the CMI Congregation for more than one term each. The last article he had completed was autobiographical in nature written for CHAI’s Platinum Jubilee Volume India’s Christian Heritage, edited by Oberland Snaitang and George Menachery. Bishop Gratian Mundadan is the younger brother of the deceased.  May his great soul rest in peace. The Church History Association of India is being represented at the funeral by Prof. George Menachery and Sebastian Edathikkavil CMI who will  convey  condolences on behalf of Dr. Oliver Jetti, President, Dr. George Oommen, Gen. Secretary, and D r. Francis Thonippara, Treasurer of the CHAI.

The 15th Triennial Conference of the South Indian Branch of the Church History Association of India CHAI (15 – 17 May 2012) was inaugurated at Bangalore by the Vice-Chancellor of the Christ University Dr. Thomas C. Matthew by lighting a bronze lamp in the DVK Philosophy auditorium in the presence of Dr. Saju Chackalakkal (President DVK), CHAI Natioal President Dr. Oliver Jetti, Dr. Prameela Devi, Prof. George Menachery, Dr. Pasupulethi Manasseh (CHAI SIB Secretary), and Dr. Francis Thonippara (CHAI SIB President). The valedictory function was addressed by Dr. Thomas Aykkara, Rector, Dharmaram College

 

The Bishop Vazhappilly Memorial Church History Award was presented to Prof. George Menachery at the Basilica Hall, Thrissur by Sri P. C. Chacko, M. P. in the presence of the Mayor of Thrissur Sri I. P. Paul, Bishops Antony Chirayath of Sagar, Bp. Thomas Vazhappilly of Mysore, Bishop Emeritus Paul Chittilappilly, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, Bp. Raphael Thattil, M.P.Vincent MLA, P. Madhavan MLA, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Rector Dr. Louis Edakkalathur, Prof. V. G. Thampy and others. The Award purse of Rs. 25,000 was handed over to Chev. Prof. Menachery by Archbishop Thazhath.      Award for church historian Menachery Press Trust of India / Thrissur May 08, 2012, 21:35 Prof George Menachery, considered an authority on Christianity in India, has been selected for the Bishop Francis Vazhappilli memorial award for his contrbutions to church studies. The award, instituted by Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours here to recognize outstanding contributions in the field of the history of Christianity in India, carries a purse of Rs 25,000, citation and memento. It will be presented to Menachery at the commemorative function on the 70th death anniversary of Bishop Francis Vazhappilly on May 12. Vazhappilly was the first Bishop of Thrissur Diocese and also the founder of the Basilica. Menacherry was selected for the award by a panel of church historians headed by Basilica Rector Rev. Louis Edakkalathur, a press release issued by the Basilica said. He had edited and produced "The St. Thomas Christian Enyclopaedia Of India", acclaimed as the first Christian Encyclopaedia based on a particular country. He has to his credit a large number of publications, research papers, articles, radio talks and TV programmes. His research activities and lectures have taken him to more than 25 countries in four continents. India's George Alencherry among 22 new cardinals inducted by Pope       Pope Benedict, putting his mark on his Church's future, on Saturday inducted 22 men including India's George Alencherry into the exclusive group of cardinals who will one day elect one of their own to succeed him as leader of the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics. Among the most prominent in the group is New York's Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who is already being touted by some Vatican experts as a possible future candidate to become the first American pope. Benedict, who turns 85 in April elevated the men to the highest Church rank below him at a ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica known as a consistory. "Cardinals are entrusted with the service of love: love for God, love for his Church, an absolute and unconditional love for his brothers and sisters, even unto shedding their blood, if necessary (in defence of the faith)," the pope told the new cardinals before giving them their rings and red birettas, or hats. "Furthermore, they are asked to serve the Church with love and vigour, with the transparency and wisdom of teachers, with the energy and strength of shepherds, with the fidelity and courage of martyrs," he said. The new cardinals are from the United States, Hong Kong, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, India, Canada, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Romania, Belgium, and Malta.   Eighteen of them are aged under 80 and thus will be eligible to enter the secret conclave to elect the next pope from among their own ranks. Twelve of those are Europeans, bringing the number of "cardinal electors" from the continent to 67 out of 125. With the new appointments, Benedict, who was elected in a secret conclave in 2005, has now named more than half the cardinal electors. The others were named by his predecessor John Paul. Compared to the 67 "cardinal electors" from Europe, Latin America now has 22, North America has 15, Africa has 11, Asia has nine and Oceania has one. Cardinals are the pope's closest collaborators in the Vatican and around the world. They lead major archdioceses and run key Vatican departments that help the pope decide Church policy and doctrine that can affect the lives of Catholics worldwide. FIRST, BE MEN OF RELIGION, POPE TELLS NEW CARDINALS At the ceremony, the pope told the new cardinals that while they will cooperate closely with him in "the delicate task" of governing the worldwide Church, they must first and foremost be men of religion. "May your mission in the Church and the world always be 'in Christ' alone, responding to his logic and not that of the world, and may it be illumined by faith and animated by charity which comes to us from the glorious Cross of the Lord," he said. Benedict also asked for prayers so that he can guide the Church "with a firm and humble hand". Numerically, at least, the pope has increased the chances that the next pontiff will be a conservative European but there have been surprises in past conclaves. The pope is a conservative on matters of faith and sexual morals such as birth control, homosexuality and the ban on women priests. Each time he names cardinals he puts his stamp on Roman Catholicism's future by choosing men who share his views. Besides Dolan, other prominent new cardinals are John Tong Hon, archbishop of Hong Kong, and Rainer Maria Woelki, archbishop of Berlin in the pope's native Germany. Seven of new "cardinal electors" under the age of 80 are Italian - six of them members of the Vatican's central administration and the other the archbishop of Florence. Popes usually reign for life but in a book last year, Benedict said he would not hesitate to become the first pontiff to resign willingly in more than 700 years if he felt himself no longer able, "physically, psychologically and spiritually", to run the Catholic Church. Several popes in recent history, including the late Pope John Paul, considered resigning for health reasons, but none did so. The last pope to resign willingly was Celestine V in 1294 after reigning for only five months. Gregory XII reluctantly abdicated in 1415 to end a dispute with a rival claimant to the Holy See. The Vatican says the pope's health is good but he needs to conserve his strength. Last October he started using a mobile platform which aides use to wheel him up the central aisle of St Peter's Basilica. Kerala elated as Alencherry ordained cardinal  Catholics, and the people at large,  in Kerala were elated as Mar George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, was on Saturday ordained a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Many of the Catholics, who form 50 per cent of the over seven million Christians in Kerala, were glued to the live coverage from the Vatican as Alencherry was ordained by the Pope along with 21 other bishops from various countries. Alencherry, 66, becomes the youngest cardinal in the country and the fourth Keralite to be ordained. Cardinal Mar George Alencherry (right) helps Monsignor Kuriakose Bharanikulangara with the episcopal sash after announcing his appointment as the first bishop of new Faridabad diocese, in Kochi on Tuesday. — DC Cardinal clears the air Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday created a new diocese of Faridabad for the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and appointed Monsignor Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, 53, the deputy nuncio of Vatican in Germany, as its first bishop. The announcement was made simultaneously in Vatican and in Kochi. Mar Bharanikulangara will have the title of archbishop as well. Making the announcement at Mount St Thomas, Kochi, the seat of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry said the new diocese covers the region of National Capital Territory of Delhi and states of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu Kashmir and the Gautambudhanagar and Ghaziabad districts of UP. The new diocese will look after the spiritual needs of nearly one lakh Syro-Malabar catholics. With this, the number of dioceses of the church has gone up to 30, including the 10 outside Kerala. The Faridabad diocese will have multiple jurisdiction like the Kalyan diocese of the Church (Other 8 dioceses outside Kerala come under the territorial jurisdiction of Latin Catholic dioceses). Mar Bharanikulangara, born to Alia and late B.V. Antony on February 1, 1959 at Karippassery in the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, has served as a diplomat of the Vatican in the last 18 years, including its nunciatures in the UN, Iraq, Jordan, Venezuela, Republic of Congo and Gibon.   Muziris letter to  Defence Minister AK Antony Respeced Minister for Defence, Sir, Kindly go through the two attachments.Your Excellency,It would be great , both for India and Kerala, if a Muziris Voyage along the lines of the First century voyages from and to the Red Sea Ports of Berinice, Aden- and Socotra - which were frequent in the early centuries - could be re enacted as suggested by the KeralaHistory Association headed by the venerable Justice V R Krishna Iyer. Such a trip would get immense world media attention and will go a long way to promote Tourism in the country and to project a glorious image of India's and Kerala's culture and achievements in the early centuries BCE and ACE. The Indian Navy could play a pivotal role in such a trip as was played by the Omani Navy in the voyageof the 'Jewel of Muscat'.Entreating your good selves and the Navy to kindly take immediate and effectivesteps in the matter, and to include the necessary funds in the forth coming budget itsef for 1. a feasibility study, 2. for a Project Report, 3. for the construction of a Sail Ship at Beypore or elsewhere, and 4. for the training of a dedicated team of sailors and navigators, and 5. to form a team of researcheras for the purpose. Thanking you, Yours sincerely, Prof. George Menachery, West Bazaar, Ollur, Trichur District, Kerala 6803060091 98460337130091 487 235 43980091 487 235 2468kunjethy@gmail.com,kunjethy@yahoo.com Muziris Red Sea Voyage   Re-enact Muziris voyages, KHA tells Navy K.A. MARTIN & S. ANANDAN  (THE HINDU 21/I/12) Defence Ministry told to take the lead in rebuilding such a vessel at Beypore The Kerala History Association (KHA) headed by jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer has urged the Indian Navy to join hands with the Departments of Cultural Affairs and Tourism to re-enact the voyages of ancient trade vessels from the ancient port of Muziris to the Red Sea around 2000 years ago. In a key resolution, passed early this month, the association asked the Union Defence Ministry to take the lead in rebuilding such a cargo vessel at Beypore, a historical boatbuilding hub in northern Kerala renowned for its esoteric technology adept at building ‘urus' [cargo sail yachts] using locally available timber and coir. The association felt that recreating a cargo vessel that plied the seas from Muziris to link ports in the Red Sea on the Egyptian and the Yemeni coasts would highlight the strong historical links between the two important regions of the world besides bringing to the world's attention their cultural exchanges. Historian K.N. Panikkar endorsed the idea when he told The Hindu on Friday that it would be good if the Navy undertook such a mission. He recalled that such efforts had been made in other parts of the world, including in the recreation of journeys along the old Silk Route. It must have taken 40 days to reach Muziris from Egypt by sea in the olden times, said George Menacherry, a church historian, who piloted the resolution at the association's meeting. He, however, added that the ‘Jewel of Muscat,' a replica of the late first-millennium trading vessel that sailed around the world jointly created by the Sultanate of Oman and the Government of Singapore, had shown that the journey would take just 27 days now. Approached for its comments, the Navy said although it had not received the proposal yet, it would study the merits of the project before taking a call on that. “While the Navy has always taken a keen interest in understanding, conserving, and contributing to build upon the rich maritime history that India boasts, collaboration in such ventures require decision at the highest-level,” said Navy sources. In the State, the Navy has earlier assisted the archaeological excavation team at Pattanam (where vestiges of Kerala's trade with the Mediterranean countries were exhumed) by sending its deep-sea divers to conduct underwater surveys. It sustains a chair on maritime history at Calicut University and the local chapter of the Maritime History Society is headed by the Southern Naval Command's Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST). When the ‘Jewel of Muscat', currently installed as a maritime history museum in Singapore after a historical sail along the ancient Middle East and the Far East, was constructed in Oman on the lines of a shipwrecked ninth-century cargo vessel, uru-builders of Beypore were called in to build it. Built without nails or screws and with planks sewn together using coconut fibres, the sail yacht was made by over a dozen carpenters and rope-makers from Beypore. “There was a time when the boatbuilding industry here had its hands full, building about 60 urus simultaneously. Even now, they build about six to seven urus for foreign customers who use them for tourism promotion. They recently constructed one for a French customer. Exponents of the esoteric technology of uru-making are not many now. But still there are a few and scores of workers are employed by them to carry out the job. They can create mock-ups of ancient ships as well,” said M.P. Padmanabhan, INTUC national leader and an authority on the subject.   HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE GOVT. SUBSIDY Andhra Pradesh Govt. Minority Welfare Dept. Scheme &  Govt. Order  High Court Verdict Setting aside objections to Pilgrimage Subsidy Letter to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Kerala Prof. George Menachery From Chev. Prof. George Menachery Chief Editor St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India Member Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Member Of the Governing Body Christian Chair, Calicut University Pallinada Ollur Kerala 680306 09846033713, 04872352468, 04872354398 kunjethy@gmail.com,kunjethy@yahoo.com www.indianchristianity.com,www.nazraney.com.www.menachery.org To Sri Oommen Chandy Honb'le Chief Minister of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Respected Sir, We the representatives of the Nazraney Maha Kudumbayogam (Myself as President) had visited you at your residence and submitted a petition signed by the President, Secretary, Office Secretary, and Fr. K. M. George of the Pazhaya Seminary humbly requesting you to kindly grant a State subsidy to the Holy Land pilgrims from Kerala. At that time you had kindly consented to consider the the also the desire for setting up a St. Thomas University, to make arrangements for the protection and conservation of ancient Christian monuments, and to consider the Holy LandPilgrimage subsidy. However when you asked for details of such subsidies granted by other South Indian States we were unable to provide the details during such a short interview. I am herewith sending the copy of the AP Government Order granting Holy Land Pilgrimage Subsidy to the tune of Rs. 20,000/- per pilgrim.The detailed GO also lays down conditions for tour operators and parameters for the aselection of pilgrims. In the first year AP Govt. had set aside an amount of Rs. Two Crores for the purpose to subsidise the pilgrimage of 1000 pilgrims. This and the other exemplary schemes of the AP Minorities Development Finance Department are also enclosed.whichcould perhaps be followed by your honourable Goverment also. Also enclosed is the Court Judgement of the AP High Court setting aside all objections raised by interested parties against the granting of the said subsidy. We had also met in Trivandrum other ministers and legislators, including Sarvasri K. M. Mani, T.M. Jacob, P.J.Joseph, K.C. Joseph, Abdl Rabb, and the MLAs C.F.Thomas, Mons Joseph, Ravindranath, M. P. Vincent and C. who all expressed their support and goodwill for all these efforts, and many had also asked for copies of the AP GO which I was able to procure from the AP Ministry in Hyderabad recently. Awaiting your government,s kind and favorable response and action, Yours faithfully, Prof. George Menachery. Copy to: Hon'bleMinister Sri K. M. Mani Sri Abdul Rubb Sri. T. M. Jacob Sri P. J. Joseph Sri K. C. Joseph Copies also to Sri P. C.George C. F. Thomas Mons Joseph Prof. Ravindranath M. P. Vincent & Other Hon’ble Minsters and Legislators we could not meet on that occasion. Copy of letters recd. From AP with copies of AP GO on Subsidy to Holy Land Pilgrims and High Court Order setting aside all objections to proceeding with the Holy Land Pilgrimage Subsidies and also Summary of Schemes of the AP Govt. Minorities Welfare Finance Corporation and AP Govt Minorities Welfare Department. Dear Prof.George Menachary, Just a short note to send you the attached GO concerning the Holy Land Pilgrimage for Christians of Andhra Pradesh. All the best for your efforts to get similar benefits to the Christians in Kerala. With warmest regards, Dr.Jetti A.Oliver JAO/kbm Dear Prof. George Menachery, Hope you had a safe travel back home. This note is to send you the attached copy of the judgment of the AP High Court lifting the ban on pilgrimage of Christians to the Holy Land duly sponsored by the Minority Welfare Department of the Govt. of A.P0. Attached also are a few paper clippings as desired. With warmest regards, Dr.Jetti A.Oliver JAO/kbm Download  Affidavit - High Court Hyderabad Download  Abstract Govt of Andhrapradesh Download  News - paper Copy of the petition personally handed over to your good selves at the Chief Minister’s residence, Trivandrum by the Mar Thoma Nazraney Maha Kudumbayogam: Petition made by the delegates empowered by the extraordinary conference of the St. Thomas Maha Kudumbayogam and invited scholars held at Kuruvilangad on 3rd July, 2011 to the Hon’bleChief Minister of Kerala Sri Oommen Chandy Esq.:, Thiruvananthapuram. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sir, We the delegates of the St. Thomas Maha Kudumbayogam and representatives of the scholars and cultural activists of the various Nazraney Christian Denominations take this opportunity to bring to your attention the incomparable record of service rendered by these Thomas Christian Communities to the people of Kerala in the fields of culture, education, and social service and to request you and your respected Government to kindly take the initiative to implement and realise the following : 1. To establish a University in the name of St. Thomas the Apostle of Christ who was the founder of the Christian Faith adhered to by the lakhs and lakhs of members of the Syro Malabar Church, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Jacobite Syrian Church, the Mar Thoma Church, the Syro Malankara Church, the Chaldean Church and many other Churches and denominations of Kerala, on the pattern of the Sri Sankara Sanskrit University of Kalady or the Mahathma Gandhi University of Kottayam. 2. To allow a pilgrim grant and/or subsidy to all Christians of Kerala, irrespective of sect or denomination or rite desirous of making a Pilgrimage to the places associated with Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament and the Venerable Fathers of the Old Testament in the Holy Land to promote spirituality and true religious fervour. 3. To instruct the Departments of Archaeology and Tourism to protect, conserve, and popularise all the different Jewish and Christian Monuments in the State, including the Megalithic monuments.. Yours faithfully, 1. Rev. Dr. K.M. George., Old Seminary, Kottayam 2. Chev. Prof. George Menachery, Historian, Trhrissur, President 3.Abram Ben Hur, General Secretary, St. Thomas Maha Kudumba Yogam, Archadeacon Centre, Pakalomattom P. O., Kuruvilangad, Kottayam. 4.Jacob Thomas Edassery, Kuravilangad. 5.Prof. Dr. Tarsis Joseph, Kuravilangad. CHURCH HISTORY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA      15th TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE AND PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS Hyderabad 2011 Inauguration of the 15th Triennial Conference of CHAI, the Church History Association of India at Jeevan Jyothi CRI Andhra Pradesh Centre by the Cultural Secretary of the Govt. of AP Dr. Chellappa IAS presided over by Dr. Sen IPS DGP and Bishop Rajaratnam of Medak. In the picture (l to r) are Prof. George Menachery (Secretary General CHAI), Dr. Oberland Snaitang (President),  Dr. George Oommen (Dehra Dun), Dr. Jos Kalappura (Patna), Dr. Francis Thonippara (President DVK, Bangalore) and Prof. Agnes DeSa (Bombay Jt. Secretary) (6th Oct)     Inauguration of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of CHAI  the Church History Association of India at the Jubilee Hall of the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh by Sri Francisco Sardhanha, former speaker and Chief Minister of Goa and at present MP and Chairman of the Plarliamentary Estimates Committee by releasing the 1000 page Platinum Jubilee Volume of CHAI "Christian Heritage of India". Others  in the picture are Sebastian Edathikkavil cmi (Treasurer), Dr. Oliver A. Jetti (Allahabad University and President of the Organising Committee), Ms. Christine MLA, Swami Aravinda (President of the State Hare Krishna Movement), Prof. George Menachery (Secretary General), Dr. Oberland Snaitang (President CHAI), Dr. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmunds (Vice-President), and Dr. Charles Dias MP (Chai Member and Office Bearer). Download - "India's Christian Heritage" - The Dust Jacket   CHURCH HISTORY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA      15th TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE AND PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS “INDIAN CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES: YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW”                                        6TH – 9TH OCTOBER, 2011 – JEEVAN JYOTHI, BEGUMBET, HYDERABAD-500016                                                                                Prof. George Menachery                                                                              Secretary General, CHAI                                                                   The Church History Association of India 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  1. CHAI is pleased to invite Scholarly Papers related to the above theme, adhering uniformly to any of the standard style sheets, from CHAI members and other scholars. The duration of the paper will be 20 minutes followed by discussion which will not exceed 10 minutes. Title of paper to be sent before the 10th of August 2011; Synopsis to be received by 20th August 2011; and the complete paper to be received before 31st August, 2011 and in any case not later than the 10th of September 2011by e-mail (preferably in MS Word or Adobe Pagemaker) in addition to a hard copy by post or courier addressed to the Secretary General Prof. George Menachery, Pallinada, Ollur, Kerala, 680306; 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.com 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

CARDINAL VITHAYATHIL LAID TO REST KAKKANAD, 12 Apr, 2011, 10:30 Hrs (UCAN) Tens of thousands of mourners bid a tearful farewell to Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, head of the Syro-Malabar Church (SMC) April 10. The 84-year-old cardinal, who died of a heart attack on April 1 in Kochi, Kerala, was interred with full state honors at the city’s St. Mary’s Basilica Cathedral. Archbishop Cyril Vasil, secretary of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, represented Pope Benedict XVII at the funeral. Bishops from the other two Latin and Syro-Malankara Catholic rites, other Christian denominations, priests and Religious, also attended the funeral. Nitin Gadkari, president of the Hindu right wing Bharatiya Janata Party, federal minister Vayalar Ravi, Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, several state ministers and other senior politicians were also present. The ceremonies started at 3:30 p.m. with a requiem Mass led by Bishop Bosco Puthur, the interim administrator of the SMC. The cardinal’s body was then taken out in a procession around the parish before his return to the cathedral for the funeral Mass and his interment in the sanctum of the basilica. The cardinal’s last journey started the day before from Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly when his body was taken to St. Thomas Mount, Kakkanad, headquarters of the SMC, 40km away, and then to the basilica where people paid their respects. During the funeral orations, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India President Cardinal Oswald Gracious said Cardinal Vithayathil was a man full of faith, peace and devotion. “We have to carry forward his vision by following his footsteps.” Condolence messages from Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were also read out.
Pope John Paul II’s final resting place ready VATICAN CITY, 13 Apr, 2011, 10:50 Hrs (CatholicNewsAgency) The final resting place of Pope John Paul II has now been prepared. In a private ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica April 8, the remains of Pope Innocent XI were moved from the altar in the Chapel of St. Sebastian to make way for the soon-to-be beatified Pope John Paul. Pope John Paul is presently buried in the crypt below the basilica’s high altar. His body will be transferred following his beatification on May 1. “This is the place where Blessed John Paul II will go because it is a particularly suitable chapel,” Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, said in remarks to journalists. “It’s quite near to the entrance of the basilica and just next to (Michelangelo’s) Pieta.” Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the senior Italian cleric in charge of St. Peter’s, presided over the brief ceremony to move the body of Pope Innocent. The service included a candle-lit procession during which the names of all the popes who’ve become saints were intoned. The remains of the 17th century pope were transferred to the basilica’s Altar of the Transfiguration. The altar sits to the left of the high altar, which is overshadowed by a marble statue of St. Andrew the Apostle. Meanwhile, the altar of St. Sebastian has been restored with work being undertaken to improve its lighting and audio systems. The translation of Pope John Paul’s coffin will also take place in private. The public, however, will be able to venerate the newly beatified Pope beginning from the afternoon of May 1 onwards. “Beatification” is the second step in a three-stage process the Catholic Church has created for declaring a deceased person a saint. Beatification confers the title “Blessed.”

His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio in India, New Delhi