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The 'Caput et Pater' who governs and loves
Saturday, 14 May 2005, marked a day of history for the Syro-Malankara
Church, due to the official ceremony for its elevation to Major
Archiepiscopal dignity and the installation of its first "Caput et Pater",
Cyril Mar Baselios Malancharuvil, a member of the Order of the Imitation
of Christ.
The Pontifical announcement of 10 February culminated a succession of
significant steps involving Pastors and faithful. These began on 20
September 1930 with the reunion of Mar Ivanios with Rome, who was joined
thereafter by various other ecclesiastics and faithful.
Like the small mustard seed of biblical fame, the Syro-Malankara
Church, blessed by the Lord and sustained by him during these 75 years
of communion with the Bishop of Rome and with the entire Catholic
Church, has become a huge tree which might be emulated by everybody and
a venerable source of praise to God.
With the further development of conferral of this noteworthy title
comes greater responsibility. There is, indeed, similarity with the lamp
referred to in the Gospel, which was placed high so as to give light to
everyone in their home. In fact, the Syro-Malankara Church is now
recognized as ecclesiastically fully-matured.
With a renewed enthusiasm for carrying out the universal Church's
mission, particularly in the context of India, as well as in ecumenical
and interreligious settings, this Church ably asserts its fidelity to
authentic religious tradition.
Moreover, it promotes a qualified and generous contribution towards
solid coexistence that pursues the spiritual and material well-being of
the Indian identity.
An unforgettable event
Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, Prefect of the Congregation for the
Oriental Churches, presided over the unforgettable celebration held at
Trivandrum, capital of Kerala and site of the historic See of the
Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
The Divine Liturgy for the enthronement of the first Major
Archbishop, the "Holy Qurbono" and the "Sunthroniso Ceremony", was
concelebrated by the Syro-Malankara Bishops in the presence of numerous
Syro-Malabar and Latin Pastors including: Mar Varkey Vithayathil,
Cardinal Major Archbishop of Ernakualam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar
Church; Archbishops Mar Joseph Powathil of Changanacherry and Mar
Kuriakose Kunnacheey of the Syro-Malabar Church; and the Latin
Metropolitan of Trivandrum, Archbishop Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam, who
also gave an exhortation to the faithful.
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, proclaimed the
Latin texts of both the Pontifical Bull which designated the elevation
of the Church, and that which announced that the Church's Head was
accorded the title Major Archbishop.
Both Bulls carry respectively the signature of the Supreme Pontiff at
the time, Pope John Paul II, as well as of the Secretary of the State,
Cardinal Angelo Sodano. During the ceremony, the Archiepiscopal
Chancellor read a translation in the Malayalam language.
During his homily, Cardinal Daoud expressed thanks to God and
recognized the profound communion which exists between the Roman Pontiff
and the Syro-Malankara Church. He recalled the memory of the recently
departed Pope John Paul II, amid applause which combined grief and great
veneration.
He also conveyed the paternal greetings and Apostolic Blessing of the
newly-elected Pope Benedict XVI, which were conveyed to the Cardinal
Prefect on the day prior to his departure for India. Again, the faithful
responded with great joy and devotion.
In his remarks, Cardinal Daoud outlined the salient historical
features of the evolution of this event, such as the early phase and its
first contacts with specific intent of union with the Petrine See.
"We can find a man of fire, thirsty for unity", the Cardinal said,
"one who is capable of reading the signs of the times; who in his
prophetic sight has seen clearly and afar: Mar Ivanios. He cherished a
great dream that became a great project: unity. With his steadfast
companion, Mar Theophilos, Mar Ivanios was received into the Catholic
Church, along with one priest, one deacon and one layperson, each of
whom made their Catholic Profession of Faith before Bishop Benziger of
Quilon.
"Within one year, there was an expanded reunification within the
little Malankara Catholic Church, with the admission of the majority of
the members of the Order of the Imitation of Christ. This incorporated
all of the Sisters of the same Order, in addition to 35 priests and
about 4,500 faithful.
"By 1950, the community extended to 65,000 members. Currently it
numbers some 500,000 adherents. Eight bishops constitute the Synod of
this Church, and besides Trivandrum, there are four other Eparchies:
Tiruvalla, Bathery, Marthandom and Muvattupuzha. There are 700 priests,
600 seminarians and more than 2,000 religious priests and sisters".
'Caput et Pater'
The Cardinal Prefect paid sincere homage to this Church, indicating
his strong encouragement for its future mission and imparting good
wishes to the new Major Archbishop, Mar Baselios. While recalling the
early years of their common programme of study in Rome and their
friendship in Damascene College, the Major Archbishop was praised for
his devotion to the Church.
Mention was also made of the various offices which he held on the
local and national levels as well as within the organizational setting
of the universal Church, especially in the Congregation for the Oriental
Churches, of which he is a member.
He was upheld for being a true "Caput et Pater," the Oriental Canon
Law's description of the Major Archbishop (cf. Code of Canons for the
Eastern Churches, canon 152). Being the "Head and Father" who
governs and loves, he needs to orient missionary initiative with an
apostolic dynamism and an ecclesiastical zeal.
Given the responsibility to maintain intact the proper tradition, and
according to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, it is his
prerogative not only to conserve that tradition but also the liturgical
language: Syriac. Indeed, explicit fidelity to the ecumenical and
interreligious perspective was an objective of the same Council.
In the second part of the liturgy, after the epiclesis and the
commemoration of Holy Mary and of the Saints, the "Sunthroniso" took
place. The prayers spoken by Cardinal Daoud in the Syriac language,
together with the rites themselves, were very moving and solemn.
First, there was the "divine call" of the elected, and later the
enthronement, the bestowal of the pastoral and apostolic benediction
interspersed with hymns and psalms.
Then came the evangelical letter and Profession of Faith by the
candidate: "In the name of One God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen. I, Cyril Mar Baselios, elected as Head and Father of the Malankara
Major Archiepiscopal Church, profess my faith before this holy Sanctuary
and this holy Synod. I will defend the true faith that our Lord Jesus
Christ has conferred upon his Apostles and through them to all the
Fathers and the Doctors of the true faith... ".
The proclamation of the elected (Korususo) and the prayer of Mar
Cleemis were recited in a low voice by Cardinal Daoud in Syriac.
Meanwhile, the ministers accompanied the rite by ringing the "marbahasa"
and bells, and the assembly sang the Kyrie Eleison.
In the final segment, there was the triple elevation by 12 priests of
the new Major Archbishop, seated upon his throne. Throughout, the song "Axios"
(He is worthy! He is worthy!) was sung several times, amid shouts of joy
by the Syro-Malankara faithful.
For their promise of obedience, the Major Archbishop was approached by
the Bishops and by representatives of the priests, Religious and laity.
The celebration began at 8 a.m. and lasted five hours. More than
40,000 devotees participated. Many followed the ceremony via short
circuit video.
Once the procession, which had started from the central School
compound, reached the Major Archiepiscopal House, Mr Oommen Chandey,
Chief Minister of Kerala, along with other dignitaries, delivered a
congratulatory address. A public meeting had also been arranged after
the "Sunthroniso" ceremony, in which Cardinal Vithayathil and other
ecclesiastical and civil Authorities greeted the new Major Archbishop.
In response, Mar Baselios conveyed his gratitude to all.
The Cardinal Prefect presented to the new Major Archbishop a gold
medal from the last year of the Pontificate of John Paul II, a gift of
the late Pope to the Syro-Malankara which he so loved. Indeed, the
celebration was originally scheduled for 7 April and was changed due to
the death of the Holy Father.
The homage of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches for this
historic event was symbolized by the gift of an artistic pectoral cross.
Additional visits
Subsequently, Cardinal Daoud visited other eparchies of the
Syro-Malankara Church. On his arrival at Trivandrum on Thursday morning,
12 May, accompanied by Mons. Maurizio Malvestiti, Rev. Johnson Varughese
Kaimalayil and personnel of the Oriental Congregation, the Cardinal was
cordially received by Mar Baselios, with Auxiliary Bishops Joshua Mar
Ignatios and Joseph Mar Thomas, and Youhanon Mar Chrysostom, Bishop of
Marthandom. A short prayer was recited at the Major Archiepiscopal
house, after which greetings were delivered by ecclesiastical
representatives.
The visit to Tiruvalla followed later that same afternoon, and the
Cardinal was received there by Bishop Isaac Mar Cleemis and Bishop
Emeritus Geevarghese Mar Timoteos. A blessing was formally conducted by
the Pushpagiri Pharmacy College, another praiseworthy social initiative
of this Church.
Evening Prayer was then held at the new cathedral, truly a beautiful
and artistic tribute to the Syrian heritage. Afterwards, there was a
reception with the Bishops, leaders of the Orthodox and Protestant
Churches, and delegates from the political and social sectors.
On Friday, 13 May, there was a brief visit to Muvattupuzha. This
included a liturgical welcome at the Cathedral, led by Bishop Thomas Mar
Koorilos, with attendance by priests, Religious and faithful. Later,
numerous youngsters met the Cardinal for a cordial dialogue. This is the
newest Diocese of the Syro-Malankara Church, which has been guided since
2003 by its youthful Pastor and has many accomplishments to its credit,
including various charitable and educational activities.
Finally, on Sunday, 15 May, there was a visit to the Eparchy of
Marthandom, thus leaving the state of Kerala and arriving at Tamil Nadu.
Here many people also assembled at the Bishop's House for a reception,
prayer service and an exchange of greetings.
This continued later, at the Minor Seminary, followed by an extended
public meeting at the Cathedral. There, Bishop Mar Chrysostom and local
lay Authorities welcomed Cardinal Daoud and Mar Baselios. This was the
latter's first official act after his installation.
Next, a series of brief visits took place with different Religious
Communities, such as the Bethany Fathers at Kottayam, Bethany Sisters at
Nalan-chira and the Daughters of Mary at Kudappanakunnu and at
Marthandom.
Before leaving Trivandrum for Rome, the Cardinal Prefect blessed the
first stone of the new office of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia,
expressing his fervent desire for the continued growth of the very
promising Syro-Malankara Church.
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