Christmas Celebratory Again In Holy Land Amid Ongoing War; Patriarch Urges Pilgrims To Return
Vatican: Former Choir Director, Manager Convicted Of Embezzlement, Abuse Of Office
Christians in Aleppo feel an uneasy calm amid rebel takeover of Syrian city
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Indian Cardinal opposes anti-conversion law in poll-bound state
12,000 gather as Goa starts exposition of St. Francis Xavier relics
I differ from Bishop Vijayanandh Nedumpuram CMI, in his write up on ‘Synod decision’ for the ‘unification of Syro-Malabar Qurbana (LIGHT OF TRUTH, Nov.16-31, 2021), My question is the unification of Qurbana ‘essential or not? I am for the unification in the interests of Unity in the church. Now what is going on is celebrating Qurbana in different forms particularly in Ernakulam-Angamali Archdiocese and Changanacherry Archdiocese. A section of priests in Ernakulam-Angamali Archdiocese are more particular for the ‘Qurbana’ towards the faithful, how they were celebrating ‘Qurbana’ for the last five decades. At the same time in other Archdiocese particularly in Changanacherry Archdiocese, they are celebrating the traditional ‘Syrian liturgical Qurbana towards the ‘Altar’ where the Holy Eucharist is kept permanently. Because of different forms of worship in some of the dioceses, the ‘Synod’ of the Syro-Malabar church after two years of discussions and study they decided on majority opinion of Bishops for ‘unification of Qurbana’ in the interests of unity in the church. According to the ‘Synod’ decision and approval from the Vatican the Hierarchy of the church prepared a new ‘text’ to follow the Priests and laity in all the dioceses in the Syro-Malabar church. So, there is no question of ‘Unanimous’ decision. But the ‘Synod’ took a decision based on majority support. As long as the
Although I had suggested many practical proposals of crisis prevention and management in my previous articles I feel it worth repeating many of them. I suggest the following practical tips after experimenting and found fruitful over last three decades. • Start interfaith prayers in the school assemblies and boarding houses to promote the pluralistic spirituality (You may make use of the book ‘Sangam’ with selected readings from eight different religious scriptures). • Display the preamble of Indian constitution in all the prominent places in the institution and class rooms. It contains Gospel values. • Stop saying traditional Christian prayers in the schools which have majority of teachers and students of other faiths. Organize Alumni Association in the schools and colleges and make it more effective that these ex students may come forward to defend the institutions in difficult times. Create emotional attachment to their alma mater. • Value education classes should be converted to leadership training of students with the values enshrined in the Constitution. Use motivational films suitable for this purpose. • Give exposure and leadership training to selected student leaders with the help of USM, Indore (It is successfully experimented over the last 30 years) • Form Peace Clubs with high school students in every school and delegate committed teachers to mentor them. • Have a full time co-ordinator
November 19 this year marked a great history in India’s Independence history. On this day ‘sovereignty’ of India was reaffirmed, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi a announced the repeal of three Farm Laws. They are: 1. The Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation)Act 2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment)Act The chronology: June 5, 2020 Governnebt promulgated three Farm Bills. September 14, 2020 ordinance was brought to Parliament. September 17, 2020 Ordinance was passed in Lok Sabha. September.20,2020 Ordinance was passed in Rajya Sabha by voice vote Septenber 24, 2020 Farmers in Punjab announce a three day rail rook September 25, 2020 farmers across India took to the streets September 27,2020 Farm Bills were given presidential assent and became laws India is a ‘sovereign country’. The words, “We the people of India” indicate the ultimate sovereignty of the people of India. It means, ‘sovereignty’ lies with the people. Democracy means for the people, of the people and by the people. The recent success of the farmers’ protest re-affirms the same and we are proud that we are the largest democracy in the world. Right to protest is one’s fundamental right. “The power of people is always greater than the people in power” said, Wael Ghonim who galvanized pro-democracy d
Families in the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum in Kerala credit the home visits by nuns from multiple congregations with unknotting their problems and refreshing their Christian life. Nuns who have been part of the Home Mission program say it has revitalized their vocation as well. “I received lots of positive energy when people told me that our visits were a big blessing for them as they were waiting for someone trustworthy to pour out their heart,” says Missionary Sisters of the Queen of Apostles nun Felcy Mangalath, a member of the Home Mission. Sister Mangalath was among 25 nuns from 25 congregations working in the archdiocese who started visiting families in 2016. “People also told us that our visits have brought a new light to their homes and their neighborhood,” Sister Mangalath told Global Sisters Report. The Home Mission is an attempt by the Latin rite bishops of Kerala to implement Pope Francis’ 2016 call to strengthen and fortify families, says Father Suresh Pius, the director of the Basic Christian Community, a guide that helps diocesan ministries function, in Trivandrum Archdiocese. The mission continued until the end of 2019. The coronavirus pandemic and nationwide lockdowns forced its suspension. However, the nuns kept in touch with the families over the phone and through video calls for the past two years, said Holy Spirit Sister Sheeba Thottittekizakkathil, one of the coordinators of the m
“Where is the Life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? The cycles of Heaven in twenty centuries Bring us farther from God and nearer to the Dust.” -T.S. Eliot Even as we struggle to limp back to normalcy from the onslaught of Covid-19, we seem to be bringing home an infection of another more dangerous virus – a virus of hate, intolerance, dishonesty, greed and deception – cautioning us of a plight, one that we can ill afford, that led the great Swami Vivekananda to describe Kerala 125 years ago – a lunatic asylum. A septuagenarian, I feel sad to see our deliberate, persistent departure from Christ and His message. Yet, I would rather avoid any controversy, for truth is the first casualty in any controversy. Let’s fix the problem, instead of fixing the blame. Prisoner’s dilemma does not take us anywhere. Restoration of mutual trust, and respect for one another, is the need of the hour. As a Civil Servant, who has had the onerous tasks of controlling communal strife, I could see for myself the unimaginable frenzy and fury of this satanic evil, which originates from our thoughts, magnifies into words and hardens into deeds. Seeds of violence, once planted, develop deep roots and spread its lethal canopy preventing access to the bright sunshine of reason. That is precisely the prompt for this note. When dark clouds portend assaults on our cherished edifice of communal ami
