Kochi: In a significant move aimed at strengthening the social and spiritual foundations of the faithful, Mar Raphael Thattil, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, has officially declared 2026 as the ‘Community Empowerment Year.’ The announcement, made through a pastoral circular issued from the Major Archiepiscopal Curia at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, calls upon bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and the laity to unite in an all-encompassing mission of empowerment, rooted in faith and driven by social responsibility.
Church and the World: A Shared Mission for God’s Kingdom
The Major Archbishop began his circular by recalling the teachings of the Second Vatican Council’s document Gaudium et Spes (The Church in the Modern World), which emphasizes that the Church and the world are not opposing realities but complementary parts of God’s plan. The Church, while distinct in its divine mission, exists within the world and must engage with it actively and compassionately.
He wrote that the Church’s mission extends beyond spiritual ministries to include the promotion of justice, truth, and love in society. “The Church,” he said, “must attend not only to the spiritual but also to the material needs and daily struggles of God’s people. Every act that promotes human well-being becomes part of our mission to prepare the world for the Kingdom of God.”
Synodal Decision Following In-depth Studies
The decision to observe the Community Empowerment Year was taken during the Synod of Bishops held in January 2025, after years of meticulous study and discussion. The Public Affairs Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church undertook comprehensive analyses of surveys and reports at both governmental and ecclesiastical levels.
The research findings were presented at the Fifth Major Archiepiscopal Assembly convened in Palai in August 2024, highlighting several key areas where the Christian community faces challenges such as population growth, agricultural issues, economic and political representation, employment opportunities, access to government schemes, and participation in education, commerce, and media.
Based on these findings, the Synod resolved that the year 2026 should be dedicated to enhancing the community’s collective capacity and social presence through systematic and faith-inspired efforts.
‘Community’ A Word with Deeper Meaning
Explaining the deliberate use of the term ‘community’ rather than just ‘Church,’ the Major Archbishop noted that the choice was intentional to emphasize the social dimension of Christian life. “When we understand ourselves not merely as a Church but as a community,” he said, “our internal unity strengthens, our social awareness deepens, and we become more capable of addressing the challenges before us.”
Citing the early Christians who were “of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32) and St. Paul’s exhortation to “work for the good of all, especially for those of the family of faith” (Galatians 6:10), the circular calls on the faithful to live out true Christian brotherhood loving, supporting, and helping one another both spiritually and materially.
Three Phases of the Empowerment Plan
The observance of the Community Empowerment Year 2026 will unfold in three distinct phases designed for comprehensive participation and lasting impact.
Preparatory Phase (September 2025 – December 2025)
This phase, commencing with the reading of the circular, focuses on creating awareness and laying the groundwork for the year-long activities. Awareness programs are to be conducted in parishes, eparchies, seminaries, religious houses, and educational institutions.
A comprehensive handbook, prepared by the Public Affairs Commission, will guide these efforts. The Archbishop urged prominent Church media such as Deepika, Shekinah, Shalom, and Goodness TV, along with online platforms, to actively support the campaign. “Media participation is essential,” he stated, “as our goal is to identify the challenges of our community and together seek viable solutions.”
Implementation Phase (January – December 2026)
The official inauguration of the Community Empowerment Year will take place on January 6, 2026, coinciding with the Feast of Denaha (Epiphany). During this phase, all proposed programs and projects will be executed at multiple levels from family units and parishes to eparchial institutions.
Some initiatives are expected to show immediate results, while others will develop gradually, contributing to the Church’s long-term empowerment mission.
Follow-up Phase (From 2027 Onwards)
The Archbishop clarified that empowerment is not a one-year task but a continuous journey. Therefore, the years following 2026 will serve as a follow-up phase to sustain and expand the initiatives begun during the empowerment year. “The celebration of 2026 is only the beginning the first step and practical training for long-term transformation,” he noted.
Organizational Structure for the Empowerment Year
To ensure effective implementation, each eparchy is to form an Eparchial Community Empowerment Committee, chaired by the Protosyncellus or a designated Syncellus. This committee will include representatives from the clergy, consecrated persons, and laity, along with subcommittees at the forane and parish levels.
One priest will serve as the director, and one layperson will act as the convener. These committees will organize awareness programs, coordinate activities, and guide implementation according to the handbook prepared by the Public Affairs Commission.
The Major Archbishop also emphasized the vital role of community movements and associations such as Mathruvedi, SMYM, Mission League, DCMS, and various lay and professional groups, encouraging them to take active roles in planning and execution.
A Biblical Vision of Rebuilding and Renewal
Drawing a parallel from the Book of Nehemiah, the Archbishop invoked the call to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. “Each person in Israel built his part,” he reminded, “and thus the wall was completed.”
Likewise, he encouraged every member of the Syro-Malabar community priests, religious, and lay faithful to contribute their share in strengthening the community’s social, spiritual, and cultural fabric. “When each member and section of our Church uses their God-given abilities for the common good, our entire community will stand fortified in faith and unity,” he said.
Invoking the Intercession of Saints
In his concluding message, the Major Archbishop invoked the intercession of Holy Mary, St. Thomas the Apostle, and the Saints and Blesseds of the Syro-Malabar Church, particularly St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara the visionary of Kerala’s renaissance and St. Devasahayam, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV as the special intercessor for the laity of India.
“May the blessing and mercy of our Lord be with all our endeavours,” Archbishop Thattil prayed. “Let us move forward together as one community united in faith, rooted in service, and committed to building a stronger, more compassionate Church.”
The declaration of 2026 as the Community Empowerment Year thus marks not only a spiritual initiative but also a historic step in mobilizing the Syro-Malabar Church toward collective renewal, social engagement, and faith-driven development that echoes the mission of Christ in today’s world.