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Global Meet 2006 is organized by
the Syro-Malabar Bishops’ Synodal
Commission for the Evangelization
and Pastoral Care of the Migrants (CEPCM).
Bp Gregory Karotemprel CMI is the
Chairman of the Commission and Bp
Vijay Anand Nedumpuram CMI and Bp
Mathew Vaniakizhakkel are its
members. Fr Joby Koottumkal mst is
the secretary to the Commission.
Almost 400 participants from all
over the world participated in the
Meet.
This type of a gathering of the
representatives of the Syro-Malabar
emigrants all over the world was
arranged for the first time in the
Syro-Malabar Church. It is estimated
that there are about one million
Syro-Malabar emigrants outside the
proper territory of the Church. The
Global Meet is a home-coming for the
emigrants. Their hearts are filled
with joy and enthusiasm. They shared
their joys and sorrows with the
bishops and the other participants
of the Meet. The Meet of the
emigrants was arranged for them to
bring their pastoral, spiritual and
social problems that they experience
in the cities or countries where
they are emigrants, to the attention
of the bishops and the Mother
Church. They live in alien countries
and places away from homeland in
different cultural and social
milieu.
The Meet is an occasion for them to
come to their own home. It was a
return to their origins.
The Meet has definitely contributed
to the strengthening of the emigrant
faithful in faith, hope and charity.
The traditional faith must encourage
them to face the challenges that
pose as a threat to their very
existence in the countries or places
where they are emigrants.
The Meet is important for the Mother
Church also because it is aware that
the emigrants also are part of the
same Church and ecclesial
traditions. When a particular organ
of the body experiences difficulties
the whole body is in pain. The
Mother Church feels one with the
Church in emigrant countries and
places. That is the reason why all
the Syro-Malabar bishops and
representatives from Syro-Malabar
dioceses also participated in the
Meet. |
