Monday, March 15, 2010

New Syro-Malankara bishops consecrated

India’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Church consecrated four new Bishops on Saturday at a well-attended function at the Mar Ivanios Vidya Nagar, Nalanchira, near Trivandrum.

Catholicos Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, led the ceremony as chief celebrant.

The new bishops are; Vincent Mar Paulose (Vincent Kulapuravilai), Samuel Mar Irenius (Samuel Kattukallil), Philippose Mar Stephanos (Stephen Thottathil) and Thomas Mar Anthonios (Antony Valiyavilayil), the Express Buzz reports.

The church, which was formed in 1930 but which traces its lineage back to St Thomas, has 13 bishops.

Vincent Mar Paulose has been appointed Bishop of Marthandam, Samuel Mar Irenius as the Auxiliary Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram, Philippose Mar Stephanos as Auxiliary Bishop of Tiruvalla and Thomas Mar Anthonios as Bishop of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia.

Tiruvalla Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos and Pathanamthitta Bishop Yuhannon Mar Chrysostom assisted the Catholicos in the consecration ceremony as co-celebrants.

All the bishops of the Syro- Malankara rite were present on the occasion.

Patriarch of the Greek Melkite Church Gregorios-III Laham was the chief guest. Latin Catholic Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram Soosa Pakiam gave the benedictory address.

Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem Bishop Julus Elzare, Patriarchal Vicar of Damascus Bishop Joseph Abdi and representative of the Catholic Patriarch of Antioch Archbishop Raboula Beylouni were also present.

A public function was held after the ceremony.

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy, Syro-Malabar Archbishop of Thrissur Mar Andrews Thazhath and Kerala Congress (M) leader K M Mani attended.
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