Mount Vision’ Covers the Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry’S Notes Emerging from the Online Synod, Press Releases and Various Events of the Archiepiscopal Curia
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | Vol. 01 | Issue 02 | a Syro-malabar Major Archiepiscopal curia newsletter Faith in the Digital Age Editor’s Desk Covid-19 paved ways to meet the communication needs of the people across the world in the digital platform more profusely than ever since. Nowadays most of the formal and informal group communications are maintained with online communicative techniques. The religious field is no exception. The Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church is convened in two Sessions in a year since 1992 when the Syro-Malabar Church was elevated as the Major Archiepiscopal Church. This was the Second session of the XXVIII Synod that went online for the first time in the history of the Syro-Malabar Church due to Covid-19 protocol. The Congregation for the Eastern Churches in Rome gave norms and directives on conducting Bishops’ Synod using the electronic platform in the context of the existing restrictions of Covid-19 pandemic. Message of hope is what we see before us at this time of the pandemic! The month of August is special to us as we celebrate the Indepence day of Mother India and the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Unlike last year a ‘homely Onam’ is celebrated under Covid-19 restrictions. This issue of ‘Mount Vision’ covers the Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry’s notes emerging from the online Synod, press releases and various events of the Archiepiscopal Curia. FR. ALEX ONAMPALLY SECRETARY, MEDIA COMMISSION INSIDE STORIES Curia Bishop’s Thoughts 04 EVENTS Synod Inauguration MOUNT VISION SEPTEMBER 2020 | VOL.01 | ISSUE 02 A SYRO-MALABAR MAJOR ARCHIEPISCOPAL CURIA NEWSLETTER 05 CHIEF EDITOR Hungry are Given Sustenance 07 FR. ALEX ONAMPALLY SECRETARY, Protect the Farmers and Agriculture 08 MEDIA COMMISSION First Preshithatharam Award 09 LANGUAGE EDITOR Online Meeting with Curia Officials 10 DR. GEORGE MADATHIPARAMBIL Reception and Farewell 11 CONSULTORS Global Youth Retreat Online 12 MAR SEBASTIAN VANIYAPURACKAL Xavier Leadership Centre Inauguration 13 CURIA BISHOP, MEMBER, MEDIA COMMISSION Deacons from Ruahalaya Major Seminary, Ujjain 14 Marian Gallery Inauguration 15 MAR JOSEPH PAMPLANY Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary 16 CHAIRMAN, MEDIA COMMISSION Independence Day 16 MAR PAULY KANNOOKADAN Onam Celebration 16 MEMBER, MEDIA COMMISSION Book Releases 17 DR. VINCENT Website for Liturgy Commission 18 CHERUVATHOOR CHANCELLOR 80th Birthday (Aseethi) of Fr. George Madathiparambil 18 DR. ABRAHAM PRESS RELEASES KAVILPURAYIDATHIL VICE-CHANCELLOR, PRO Implementation of Court Order Peacefully 19 FR. SEBY KOLANGARA New Rector for Santa Anastasia 19 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNET MISSION Ten Percent for Economically Backward New Secretary for Commission for Institute of Consecrated Life 20 SYRO-MALABAR MEDIA COMMISSION Mathruvedhi News 20 MOUNT ST. THOMAS, P.B. NO. 3110 KAKKANAD P.O., KOCHI - 682 030 CURIA NEWS Email: [email protected] Reports of the Commissions & Affiliated Offices 21 Phone: +91 9946162280 Website: www.syromalabarmc.in Major Archbishop’s Diary 22 Curia Bishop’s Diary 23 DESIGN & LAYOUT JOSEMON VAZHAYIL Events, Feasts & Birthdays 23 MUMBAI MOUNT VISION | SEPTEMBER 2020 | 04 Curia Bishop’s Thoughts The Second Issue of Mount Vision is reaching same time, a new way is being emerging in every its readers with the news and events of August walk of life. As of now, we are not in a position 2020 from the Syro-Malabar Major to make a value judgment of the changes Archiepiscopal Curia at Mount St. Thomas. As far occurred. But we live it as a reality, for the time as Mount St. Thomas is concerned, the month of being, hoping to overcome the told and untold August is normally one of the busiest months of sufferings of the pandemic. We should acquire the year. The Synod of Bishops of the strength and immunity not only for the bodily Syro-Malabar Church was scheduled to be held fitness, but for the wellbeing of the soul. This from 17-29 of August 2020 and our bishops from new situation of not being able to attend the different continents of the world were supposed celebration of the Holy Qurbana and other to attend it, but the Covid-19 pandemic changed Sacraments, has compelled us to live our faith in the whole scenario. For the first time in the a different way. The exhortation of St. Paul history of our Church, the Bishops’ Synod was becomes all the more relevant in this context: convened online from August 18 to 21, following “Stand, therefore, and fasten the belt of truth the special directives from the Congregation for around your waist, and put on the breastplate of the Oriental Churches. Of the 64 Bishops, 62 righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on Bishops participated in the online Synod, which whatever will make you ready to proclaim the practically opened a new horizon and redefined gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield the traditional concepts in this regard. Out of 64 of faith, with which you will be able to quench all Bishops, 31 are residing in Kerala, 27 outside the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the Kerala in India and 6 Bishops abroad. One helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, beautiful part of this Synod was the participation which is the word of God” (Eph.6:14-17). Let us of the Bishops Emeriti, who otherwise would not be prepared more than ever to be the watchful have made due to difficulty of travel. There was a and ever ready soldiers of Jesus. perfect communication, a new way to get connected! The Covid-19 restrictions have practically paralyzed the conventional style of functioning +MAR SEBASTIAN VANIYAPURACKAL of every sphere of human life and activity. At the CURIA BISHOP MOUNT VISION | SEPTEMBER 2020 | 05 || SYNOD INAUGURATION There should be Radical Changes in Pastoral Ministry: Cardinal Mar George Alencherry Mar Peter Kochupurakal, the new auxiliary bishop of Palghat. The Cardinal thanked Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Vicar General of the diocese of Rome and the Congregation of the Eastern Rites for assigning the lives of the faithful. Just as in the past when the Santa Anastasia Minor Basilica for the use of the Church was very active in educational and the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Rome. He noted that health-care areas, so now the focus of the Church this was a fulfillment of the long-cherished dream should be turned to the development of the of the Syro-Malabar Church. He also thanked all economic situation of the faithful. By encouraging the dioceses and various organizations of the and promoting industrial and agricultural ventures Church for their dedicated and painstaking effort of the faithful, the Church could participate in the they took to alleviate the sufferings of the people economic development of the country, the during this Covid period. Cardinal noted. It is because of the Covid restrictions imposed by The Major Archbishop during his inaugural address the various countries of the world that the present recalled the meritorious services of Mar Synod is held online. Sixty-one bishops including Anikuzhikattil, the late Bishop of Idukki especially those who have retired are participating in the in the matters of protecting the rights of the Synod. The special topics selected for discussion farmers as well as of the unborn. The Cardinal will form the agenda of the Synod. The Synod that Cardinal Mar George Alencherry inaugurated online offered his prayers for the repose of his soul. The has begun on Tuesday will continue for three days, the second session of the 28th Synod of the Cardinal also acknowledged the great services two hours in the evening every day. This is just to Syro-Malabar Church and appealed to the Bishops to rendered by Mar Mathew Arackal, the former make it possible for all the bishops to participate in think of making radical changes in the Pastoral ministry of Bishop of Kanjirappally and offered the greetings the Synod because of the differences in time the Church. In the new pastoral environment, more of the Synod to Mar Jose Pulikal, the new Bishop zones in different countries. emphasis should be placed on the total development of of Kanjirappally. He offered a special welcome to MOUNT VISION | SEPTEMBER 2020 | 06 Mar Peter Kochupurakal, the new auxiliary bishop of Palghat. The Cardinal thanked Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Vicar General of the diocese of Rome and the Congregation of the Eastern Rites for assigning the lives of the faithful. Just as in the past when the Santa Anastasia Minor Basilica for the use of the Church was very active in educational and the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Rome. He noted that health-care areas, so now the focus of the Church this was a fulfillment of the long-cherished dream should be turned to the development of the of the Syro-Malabar Church. He also thanked all economic situation of the faithful. By encouraging the dioceses and various organizations of the and promoting industrial and agricultural ventures Church for their dedicated and painstaking effort of the faithful, the Church could participate in the they took to alleviate the sufferings of the people economic development of the country, the during this Covid period. Cardinal noted. It is because of the Covid restrictions imposed by The Major Archbishop during his inaugural address the various countries of the world that the present recalled the meritorious services of Mar Synod is held online. Sixty-one bishops including Anikuzhikattil, the late Bishop of Idukki especially those who have retired are participating in the in the matters of protecting the rights of the Synod. The special topics selected for discussion farmers as well as of the unborn. The Cardinal will form the agenda of the Synod.