Kottayam: Mar Andrews Thazhath, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), has called on all aspiring priests to remain steadfast in their fidelity to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. He was addressing seminarians and faculty members during the official inauguration of the 2025–26 academic year of St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, the premier formation house of the Syro-Malabar Church, and its academic affiliate, the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Kottayam.

Delivering the keynote address, Mar Thazhath emphasized that every seminarian and priestly candidate must root his vocation in deep, unwavering loyalty to the person of the Messiah and to the mission of the universal and particular Church.

“A priest is not merely a minister of rites or a community leader. He is a visible sign of Christ’s presence among His people. Loyalty to Christ and to His Church must define his very identity,” Mar Thazhath said, urging seminarians to embrace a life of holiness, humility, and obedience.

He further stressed the importance of understanding and preserving the rich spiritual, theological, and liturgical heritage of the Catholic Church—particularly the Syro-Malabar tradition, one of the most ancient Eastern Catholic rites. He noted that deep familiarity with one's ecclesial roots empowers a priest to serve with authenticity and clarity in a rapidly changing world.

The event was attended by prominent Church leaders and scholars. Rev. Dr. Polly Maniatt, President of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, and Rev. Dr. Dominic Vechoor, Rector of St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, addressed the gathering and encouraged students to strive for both academic rigor and spiritual maturity.

Deacon Henry Thekkechuranolil, representing the student community, also offered reflections on the challenges and opportunities in priestly formation today.

A scholarly highlight of the day was a paper presentation by Rev. Dr. Arun Kalamatthil, who explored the theme “Tradition and Progress”, inviting participants to reflect on how fidelity to ancient ecclesial traditions can coexist with the necessary evolution of pastoral approaches in contemporary contexts.

Currently, 346 seminarians are enrolled in various academic streams—undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels—at the Pontifical Oriental Institute. The institution remains a key intellectual and spiritual hub for the Syro-Malabar Church, forming future leaders and shepherds grounded in the Eastern Christian heritage and capable of engaging with modern theological questions.

The inauguration marked not only the beginning of an academic year but a reaffirmation of the Church’s mission to form priests who are intellectually prepared, spiritually deep, and pastorally effective.

In a closing exhortation, Mar Thazhath reminded the seminarians that the Church is counting on their generation to carry forward the light of Christ: “You are not just students—you are future witnesses. Stay rooted in Christ, loyal to His Church, and always ready to serve.”