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SYNODAL COMMISSION FOR
THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE FAITHFUL
OUTSIDE INDIA
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Chairman: Most. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas |
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Secretary: Rt. Rev. Corepiscopo Geevarghese Mannikarottu,
Mar Ivanios Malankara Catholic Centre,
950 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park, NY 11040 |
Consultors |
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Rev. Fr. Augustine A. Mangalath,
St.Paul Church, 41 Alling Street,
West Haven, CT 06516, USA
Tel.: 001-2039341871 |
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Rev. Fr. Mathai Iranithara OIC,
Malankara Catholic Mission,
P.O. Box 12230, Doha,
Qatar,
Tel.: 009745549710 |
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Rev. Fr. Cherian Mambrakuzhil,
44 Broadway, Avenue, Toronto,
Ontario M4P 1T4,
Canada. |
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Rev. Mother Mary Sosamma OSS,
Heiling Geist Schwestern,
Pfarrer Bendel Weg 2,
Mammolshain, D-61462 Koenigstein,
Germany
Tel.: 0049-6173-956050 |
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Rev. Sr. Arpitha SIC
1653 Highland Avenue,
New Hyde Park, NY 11040,
Tel.:001 516-658-4597 |
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Rev. Sr. Anjaly DM
530 East 234rd Street,
4249 Webster Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10466,
Tel.:001 7182311462 |
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Mr. T.M. Jacob (Rajan),
Brannon Str.8, 5347 Alfter-Oedekoven,
Bonn, Germany
Tel.: 0049-228216179. |
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Mr. Mathew M. George
P.O. Box 24600,
Doha, Quatar
Mob: 9744339188 |
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Mr George James
14 Best street, Westwood,
NJ 07675, USA |
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Mr. John Panicker
212 Canyon Oak Drive,
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Tel.:9792973531 |
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Mr. George Kakkanatt,
14014 Cobalt Glen Drive,
Sugarland, TX 77478 |
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R. A. Varghese |
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Mr. Koshy Parappatt
Radio Vaticana,
Via Della Concilliazione 34,
Vatican, 00193 Roma
Tel.: 0039.06.631519 |
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Mr. T.E. Yohannan
P.O.Box 4270, Sharja,
UAE |
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Mr. Abraham Ponmelil
3 McKinley Place,
Bergenfield, NJ 07621,
USA |
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Mr. Philip John,
194 E., Church Street,
Bergenfield,NJ 07621 |
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Mr. Varghese Vazhapilleth
P.O.Box.32857, Dubai,
UAE
Phone: 00971-43372843. |
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Mr. Santhosh A. Mathew IAS
Flat A, Institute of Development studies,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton, BN -19/ RE
UK, Tel.: 0044-7776060551 |
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Report of the
Synodal Commission for
Pastoral Care of the Faithful Outside India
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The Synodal Commission for the Pastoral Care of the Faithful outside India was held on 4 February, 2006 at Hilton, Parsippany, New Jersey. His Excellency Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas presided over the meeting. Sixteen members were present. The meeting began with prayer. Mr. Philip John read the Word of God. The Treasurer Mr. George James welcomed the gathering. In the absence of the Secretary of the Commission, Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mannikarott Corepiscopo, Rev. Fr. Augustine Mangalath was deputed to note down the proceedings of the meeting.
The members of the Commission prayed for his Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos as the Church celebrates 5 February, as Catholicos Day.
In his introductory address, His Excellency gave a brief resume of the main topics deliberated in the Episcopal Synod held in August and December 2005, namely, the constitution of eighteen Synodal Commissions and their functions, the construction of the Catholicate Center, the functioning of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia Office, the publication of the Bulletin ‘Malankara’ and the necessity of each member of the Synodal Commission to subscribe for a copy of the ‘Malankara’ for better know-how of the functioning and decisions of the Synod. His Excellency also informed the members about the new mission started in Doha, the Malankara Catholic Convention to be held in the usA on 4, 5, 6 August 2006, the common retreat for the New York Mission scheduled to be held on 10, 11,12 March 2006; retreat for the priests working in North America to be held on 6, 7, 8, February 2006.
The Commission held elaborate discussion and deliberation on our missions outside India and made the following proposals:
1. Developing and Empowering the Existing Missions in North America, Europe and the Countries of the Gulf Region.
For developing and strengthening our ecclesial activities in regions mentioned above, the meeting suggested the following:
a. to explore the possibilities for starting new centres in other areas of the USA, such as, California, San Francisco, Rochester, Kentucky, Okalahoma, Colorado, etc.
b. to take steps for bringing the existing Missions under an ecclesiastical system
c. to establish our Center/ Headquarters in New York
d. to acquire land for constructing a building for New York Mission
e. to renew and edit the Liturgical Texts in the American context
f. to edit and print catechism texts and make them available
g. to give adequate importance to youth activities
h. to continue the ongoing spiritual journey and make use of ecclesiastical organs, as for example, the Bible Apostolate.
i. to explore the possibilities of opening new religious houses.
j. to strengthen the Malankara Catholic Convention of the USA
k. to utilize the present favorable circumstances in order to erect a new Malankara Catholic Diocese in North America.
2. The System of Activities in North America may be implemented in Europe and Gulf Countries
a. Mr. T. M. Jacob from Germany was authorized to organize a meeting to propose a viable program for German Missions and that it shall be in consultation with the Apostolic Visitator.
b. No specific proposals were made on behalf of the Missions in the Countries of the Gulf region, since no representative was present.
c. We must make initiative to establish a Malankara Center in Rome.
3. Find out possibilities for starting new Missions in other Countries, where there are Malankara Catholic Communities, such as in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Mexico.
A committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Apostolic Visitator for the afore-mentioned purpose. The members are: Mr. John Panicker,
Mr. George Kakkanatt, Mr. Georgekutty and Mr. Roy Varghese. The ex-officio members are the Synodal Commission Secretary, the Treasurer, the Mission Superior of the Malankara Catholic Mission in North America, and Rev. Fr. Saji Mukkootumannil.
4. Human Resources
a. Ensure lay participation and co-operation in all mission activities.
b. Explore possibilities to start old age homes, nursing schools, etc. Mr. George James and Mr. John Panicker are assigned to explore possibilities for the same in consultation with the Apostolic Visitator.
5. Finance
a. Since we have a centre in North America, developing as a strong base for the Church, we should find financial resources to meet its needs.
i. We should not depend solely on people for the support of parishes and maintenance of priests.
ii. Explore new possibilities.
b. Synodal Commission members should find out some viable programme for financial stability:
i. Publishing a Souvenir of an academic nature, promoting the authentic teaching of the Church, relevance of our existence in North America, Europe & Gulf Countries and the possibility of missionary activities outside India.
ii. The editorial board of the Souvenir consists of Mr. Roy Varghese, Mr. Baby Thomas, Mr. John Panicker, Mr. T.M. Jacob, Mr. Koshy Parappatt, Mr. James George, Mr. George Kakkanatt and Mr. George Jacob (Gulf) under the chairmanship of Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas.
iii. The Souvenir is scheduled to be published by December 2006.
iv. The project for publishing the Souvenir needs a minimum amount of $10,000.
v. All Synodal Commission members are requested to get at least two advertisements for the Souvenir
c. For financial affairs the Synodal Commission need not be a registered body.
d. The Account shall be jointly operated by the Chairman and the Treasurer. The Commission’s account shall not be a separate account; instead, it shall be a subsidiary account of the Malankara Catholic Mission of North America.
6. Other Proposals
a. All arrears of North American missions should be collected as per statutes without any exception.
b. If anyone needs exception, he/she should get the written permission from Catholicos / Apostolic Visitator.
c. Publish a bulletin to give timely information of the activities of the pastoral care of the faithful outside India. Mr. George Kakkanatt is put in charge under the chairmanship of His Excellency. The Synodal Commission Secretary and the Treasurer are the ex-officio members. Mr. George Kakkanatt is the PRO. The Apostolic Visitator should be consulted before publishing the bulletin or giving out any news.
d. Sufficient information about the Synodal Commission for the Pastoral Care of the Faithful outside India should be given to the missions.
e. Co-operate in expediting the canonization process of Metropolitan Mar Ivanios of venerable memory
f. An amount of $ 700, incurred to convene the synodal commission meeting will be reimbursed to Mr. James George as and when funds are available.
g. Next meeting of the Synodal Commision will be held during the Malankara Catholic Convention USA 2006
The meeting ended at 4 pm with the blessing of His Excellency Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas.
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Fr. Augustin Mangalath
Deputed Secretary |
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