Melbourne: Rev. Dr. Sijeesh Pullankunnel, the chancellor of the Syro Malabar eparchy of Melbourne, will attend the synod in Rome to deliberate on the synodality of the Church in October 2023. He will represent the Oceana region.

Dr. Sijeesh Pullankunnel holds a doctorate in Canon Law and is a visiting professor at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. His presence in the synod affirms the role of Syro Malabar church in the journey of faith in Asia Pacific region. The Melbourne eparchy has a wider presence across all of Australia and the neighbouring countries.

Alongside him, several other representatives from the Catholic Church in Kerala will participate in the synod. Cardinal George Alanchery, the head of Syro of Malabar Church, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Bava, the head of Syro Malankara Church, Bishop Andrews Thazhathu, the head of CBCI, Bishop Alex Vadakkumthala, the bishop of Kannur Roman Catholic diocese and Bishop Joseph Pamplani, the Archbishop of Tellichery Archdiocese will attend the synod.

The 16th global synod will start with a three days retreat on the 1st of October and will be attended by 378 representatives from the Church across the globe. There will be representatives from every sui iuris church in the Catholic communion, 57 theologians, 85 women delegates and 8 special invitees at the synod.