Rome: Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church, held an important meeting at the Dicastery for Eastern Churches in Rome on Friday December 12.
The meeting was held with His Eminence Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, and His Excellency Monsignor Filippo Ciampanelli, the Under Secretary of the dicastery.
Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil was accompanied by Mar Joseph Pamplany, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Syro Malabar Church, and His Excellency Mar Stephen Chirappanth, Procurator of the Major Archbishop in Rome.
Church sources said the discussions focused on matters concerning the life, mission and pastoral responsibilities of the Syro Malabar Church, along with ongoing coordination between the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Holy See. The meeting formed part of the Major Archbishop’s official visit to Rome, which includes engagements with various Vatican offices.
The visit comes at a time when the Syro Malabar Church is addressing important pastoral and administrative issues both in India and abroad. Vatican officials and church leaders highlighted the importance of dialogue and cooperation in strengthening unity and mission within the Eastern Catholic tradition.
Further meetings during the Rome visit are expected to continue these discussions in the coming days.