Kochi: The global community of Syro Malabar Catholics will turn its attention to Rome this October as the Catholic Congress, the official community organisation of the Syro Malabar Church, prepares to hold its Global Meet from October 19 to 23.
Representatives from 40 countries across different parts of the world are expected to take part in the gathering. Participants will come from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia and Oceania, bringing together members of the Syro Malabar community from different continents.
A major feature of this year's Global Meet will be the presence of Pope Leo XIV. Representatives arriving from different countries will have an opportunity to meet the Pope, receive his message and seek his blessing. The presence of the Pope is expected to give particular significance to the gathering as the global Syro Malabar lay community comes together in Rome, the centre of the Catholic Church.
The preparations are being carried out under the guidance of Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church Mar Raphael Thattil and Catholic Congress Bishop Legate Mar Remigius Inchananiyil. Catholic Congress Global President Rajeev Kochuparambil, Director Fr Dr Philip Kaviyil, General Secretary Dr Joscotty J Ozhukayil, General Convener Benny Pulickakara and coordinators from different regions are leading the preparations.
Months of preparations have been under way at different levels for the Rome gathering. Bishops, priests and representatives from 40 countries are expected to participate. Prominent figures from political, social and cultural fields, elected representatives, professionals, entrepreneurs and business representatives are also expected to attend.
The Rome Global Meet is being presented as a significant gathering in the history of the Syro Malabar Church and the Catholic Congress, which traces its organisational history back more than a century. Sessions, discussions and dialogues will focus on different aspects of community empowerment, challenges and opportunities at the global level, global connectivity and business networking. Discussions on future initiatives and policies are also expected to form part of the programme.
Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, leaders of the Church's Eastern Catholic structures, Bishop Legate Mar Remigius Inchananiyil, Archbishops Mar Andrews Thazhath, Mar Joseph Pamplany and Mar Thomas Tharayil, and bishops including Mar Stephen Chirappanath, Mar Joy Alappatt, Mar Jose Kalluvelil, Mar George Madathikandathil, Mar Poly Kannookadan, Mar John Nellikunnel, Mar Tony Neelankavil and Mar Joseph Arumachadath are among the Church leaders expected to participate. Community leaders, ministers and elected representatives are also expected to attend the three-day conference.
As part of the preparations for the Global Meet, a Catholic Congress flag handed over by Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil is travelling through different countries.
The flag has travelled through countries in the Middle East, Canada, the United States, Australia, the Far East, Europe and Africa, where it has been received by members and supporters of the organisation. It is expected to return to India before travelling through various dioceses in the country during October.
The flag will then proceed to Rome on October 18. Catholic Congress Global President Rajeev Kochuparambil is expected to hoist the flag in Rome on October 19, marking the beginning of the Global Meet.
The Catholic Congress has long been associated with the social and Church life of Kerala. Along with the migration of Syro Malabar Catholics to different parts of the world, the organisation has expanded its activities across several continents.
As Syro Malabar communities have developed in different countries, Catholic Congress activities have also expanded into new regions. Europe has emerged as one of the important areas of this global growth. As the number of Syro Malabar Catholics in European countries has increased in recent years, activities of the Catholic Congress have also become more active.
In the United States, Canada and Australia, efforts are being made to connect migrant families, young people and professionals and encourage their participation in Church and social activities.
The Syro Malabar presence is also growing in Africa. Families, professionals and missionary communities serving in different African countries have become part of the Church's wider global presence.
The Catholic Congress is also working to strengthen unity and community networks among Syro Malabar Catholics in the Middle East and the Far East, which are major destinations for migration. With coordination and leadership from India, these activities are intended to contribute to the development of a wider global network.
With representatives from different regions gathering in Rome, the Global Meet is expected to provide a platform for sharing experiences and perspectives from different countries and communities.
Behind the organisation's present global presence is a history spanning more than a century. The movement began in 1918 as the Kerala Catholic Mahajana Sabha and later developed into the Akhila Kerala Catholic Congress before expanding its activities at the global level as the Catholic Congress.
Over the decades, society, generations and circumstances have changed, but the organisation's basic objective of bringing lay people together and strengthening their participation in matters concerning the Church and society has continued.
Its activities have expanded into areas including education, social development, agricultural issues, business, employment, family welfare and youth development.
The history of the organisation is also connected to the ancient Saint Thomas Christian heritage of Kerala. The tradition traces its roots to St Thomas the Apostle and has been passed down through generations before spreading to different continents alongside the migration of Kerala's Christian communities.
The Catholic Congress flag is travelling through different countries ahead of the Global Meet. Members and organisers in various locations receive the flag and share the message of the upcoming gathering.
The journey across national borders and languages has become a symbol connecting members in different parts of the world with the Global Meet. Its arrival in Rome will mark the completion of an important stage of the journey.
While looking back on its long history, the Catholic Congress is also expanding its activities to address the needs of a changing world.
Efforts to connect members across countries in areas such as education, employment, entrepreneurship and professional cooperation form part of this wider approach. The Catholic Congress Global Business Network is one such initiative.
The platform seeks to bring entrepreneurs and professionals from different parts of the world together, creating opportunities to exchange business ideas and explore areas of cooperation. It also aims to strengthen communication and mutual support among members while building professional networks at the global level.
The Rome meeting will address social, cultural and public life issues alongside global networking. Study sessions and discussions led by subject experts are expected to form an important part of the conference. The participation of prominent figures and elected representatives from political, social and cultural fields from different countries is expected to provide a wider context for these discussions.
The third Global Meet of the Catholic Congress is being held in Rome, bringing together Syro Malabar Church leaders and lay representatives from different parts of the world in the presence of the Pope.
The gathering brings together more than a century of Catholic Congress history and the nearly 2,000 year old heritage of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition. At the same time, it reflects the presence of a new generation of Syro Malabar Catholics growing across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Australia, the Gulf and other regions.
As the movement that began in Kerala more than a century ago carries its flag across continents to Rome, the gathering represents not only the history of an organisation but also the faith heritage passed down through generations, the experiences of migrant communities and the aspirations of a new generation.