Preparation of the Liturgical Texts

The general mode of procedure in drafting the Liturgical texts shall be:

The Commission appoints a drafting committee when found necessary to prepare the initial document as per the guidelines given for that purpose. These guidelines shall include:

• The sources to be translated revised or at least consulted.

• Special norms and methods if any to be followed.

• Time limit to submit the draft

• The draft prepared by the committee will be sent to the members of the SMCLC.

• The SMCLC members shall discuss it in their respective forums and bring their suggestions to the SMCLC.

• The draft will be discussed in SMCLC and the committee will make the second draft.

• The second draft will be presented in the Synod with the specifications of the alterations. The Commission will incorporate the suggestions of the Synod.

• As per decision of the Synod the draft may be sent to the Eparchies for their comments.

• The draft with the suggestions from the Eparchies and SMCLC will be submitted to the Synod.

• The Synod may give the final approval and take necessary steps for its promulgation and implementation.
  
  
  

Printing and Publishing of Texts

• Draft text can be printed "Pro manuscripto" by the commission for private circulation in order to collect observations.

• The manuscript copy of the text, which goes to the Press, should be carefully checked to make sure that the contents conform exactly to what has been definitely approved by the Synod.

• Before its promulgation due experimentation, for a definite period can be allowed as per the direction of the Synod. Experimentation shall be followed by an evaluation.

• The Major Archbishop promulgates the approved texts with the Recognitio of the Apostolic See as per the norms. The texts will be printed and published by the Commission. When the individual Bishops print the text of the Holy Qurbana for the use of the people with catechetical instructions as decided by the Synod, the individual Bishops shall make sure that the text is intact and a copy shall be sent to the Commission.

• The copyright of all the Liturgical Books published by the Commission for Liturgy rests with the Synod. Individual Bishops can allow the printing of the certain liturgical texts, like the ordination rite of priests and bishops. This is only for private circulation at the time of particular ordination and not for sale or use on other occasions. On such occasions the Bishop shall make sure the integrity of the text and a copy shall be sent to the Commission.

• Through circulars, study sessions, conferences, articles and other publications instructions may be given to the faithful before new texts and rites are introduced
  
  
  

Finance and Accounts.

• Liturgical books may be sold at rates fixed by the Commission.

• The Commission will meet all the expenses connected with the work. Such as:

• Payment to experts for work done by them

• Expenses of the committee meetings, including T.A. to the participants.

• Office expenses

Printing and publishing

• Other expenses such as for reference books, researches, expenses connected with liturgical apostolate.

• The annual report and the statements of accounts shall be presented before the Synod in its annual meeting after getting them approved by the commission.

• The accounts shall be audited annually along with the internal audit of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia.
  
  
  

Duties of the Office Bearers

The Chairman is the responsible person for the overall functioning of the Commission in collaboration of other members. The duties of the Chairman are the following:

The chairman shall normally preside over all the meetings. In his absence one of the Episcopal members of the Commission will act in his place.

The Chairman shall present the liturgical text and other findings of the Commission to the Synod.

He shall publish the approved texts.

The Secretary shall:

• be responsible for preparing agenda for all meetings, for keeping of minutes of the meetings (Commission, Syro-Malabar Central Liturgical Committee and Sub Committees), getting ready with materials necessary or helpful to guide the discussions and sending its reports in due time.

• be the archivist and treasurer of the commission. He will keep the accounts in collaboration with the finance officer of the Curia. He shall prepare also the annual Budget.

• attend to all necessary correspondence on behalf of the commission.

• attend to all affairs related to good planning and efficient running of commission meetings and satisfactory implementation of all its resolutions.

• give timely information to all concerned.

• supply them with guidelines and helpful literature as desired by the commission.

• collect reports or observations, and have them tabulated and synthesized in time with the help of the experts or sub committees concerned.

• help to convene the meetings and help the Chairman to steer the proceedings.

• attend to all planning and executive works, which are not specially entrusted to another.
   

General meetings of the Commission shall be held normally once in four months with three weeks notice and agenda. The duration of each session shall depend on the agenda.