Syro-Malabar Synod has commenced

Kakkanad: Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church, has demanded that the central government should take immediate action to solve the buffer zone issue, which is of great concern to the farmers, and also the crises that are making life miserable for the coastal residents. The Cardinal was speaking after inaugurating the second session of the Thirtieth Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas. He pointed out that the people in the affected areas are worried about the criminal negligence on the part of the government in making timely interventions in the problems faced by farmers and coastal residents.

The Major Archbishop pointed out that the declaration of sainthood of Devasahayam Pillai and the blessed status of Sister Maria Celine Kannanaikal are blessings given by God to the Indian Catholic Church. He congratulated the bishops who are celebrating their Jubilee and Double Saphire. Fifty-one Syro-Malabar Bishops are participating in this synod which started with meditational thoughts given by Hosur Bishop Mar Sebastian Pozholiparambil, followed by Holy Mass, with the Major Archbishop as the main celebrant.

Cardinal Alencherry inaugurated the Synod meeting at 2.30 pm. He lauded the celebrations held in dioceses and various other places, especially in Palayur and Kodungallur, in remembrance of the 1950th anniversary of the martyrdom of India's apostle St. Thomas. The Cardinal also recalled that the 1950th Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas was observed on July 3 on the 'Syro-Malabar Day' at the church level.

This conference will discuss the revision of the curricula of clerical training and the 16th Ordinary Synod of Bishops on 'Synodality' announced by the Holy Father Pope Francis. The Cardinal hoped that the synod would be guided by Pope Francis's thought that "may we be open to the Spirit; he will guide us forward as the wind helps the ship to move forward".

Various topics will be discussed in the coming days of the two-week long Synod.

Fr. Antony Vaddakekara V. C.
Secretary, Media Commission
16 August 2022.