|
Justice Kurian Joseph
Fr Paul Thelakat
Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil C
Ss.R.
Major Archbishop of
Ernakulam –Angamaly
Though the
Syro-Malabar Church remained
under the Latin rule for
centuries she had benefited a
lot from it. The loss of the
Syro-Malabar identity remains
the most evident demerit of it.
We have to regain it. The more
we are Latinized the more
difficult it will be to regain
the lost Syro-Malabar identity.
I am sure that the Global Meet
will be able to suggest means to
the Holy Father and to the Holy
See how the emigrants can live
their faith with its integrity,
preserving the values of the
Gospels and the values that
Jesus Christ taught us. We
contribute to the cultures of
different countries of the world
where there is a great erosion
of faith and fast loss of moral
values. Though the Syro-Malabar
faithful are only a small
percentage in countries like the
United States we can be
witnesses of the true human
values. That is what we are
called to do in the modern world
in which emigration is a great
phenomenon.
|
|
Archbishop
Mar Mathew Moolakkatt OSB
Archdiocese of Kottayam
Today the
Syro-Malabar Church rejoices
that the representatives of her
emigrant children all over the
world have gathered here in
order to experience the warmth
and love of the Mother Church.
The Syro-Malabar Church has got
great concern and interest in
the matters of her emigrant
children far and wide. Wherever
they may be the Church yearn for
their growth and well-being. The
identity of the Syro-Malabar
Church and her traditional
faith, received as a patrimony
from St Thomas, must be
preserved and and fostered. You
must share the warmth of the
relationships and the depth of
faith with your friends and
brothers and sisters when you go
back to your living situations. |
|
Mr Vayalar
Ravi-18-08-'06
Union Cabinet
Minister of India
I made it a
point to participate in this
function since I get lot of
opportunities whenever I go to
America, Europe or the Gulf to
have interaction with lot of
Syro-Malabar faithful who are
living in those countries
together with their families. I
hope there will be classes and
discussions during the four
day-long Global Meet on
families, churches, worship etc.
of the Syro-Malabar Church. The
works and achievements of the
Church, especially the Church in
Kerala, are commendable and well
appreciated.
Along with
globalization have emerged
certain problems for us.
Globalization has had its
negative impacts on us, on our
thought and on the society. I am
afraid that globalization and
consumerism will gradually
diminish and destroy the
spirituality of the humanness
that we have as an inheritance.
It is a true fear. We shall not
be slaves to any material
concept. Every human being,
every Christian must be guided
by the spiritual values of the
humanity. I appreciate this
concept. This thought will lead
the human beings and our society
to a superior realm. When we
love, do good and believe in
truth what we get is the peace
of mind. That is the peace of
the family and this, in turn, is
the peace of the society. The
peace of the society ultimately
is the peace of the world.
Nobody can
prevent or confine one’s faith.
History is the proof that
people’s will and determination
could defeat all efforts,
including persecution towards
the confinement of faith.
Minority communities in India
have never succumbed to threats
or force of any form. The
essence of the Indian society is
the happiness and satisfaction
of the minorities. The
government and the states have
the responsibility to preserve
that essence. I believe that the
Global Meet will discuss many
issues and that it will be an
opportunity to take steps to
foster faith and avoid its
erosion. |
|
Fr Joby
Thanksgiving
speech
Gratitude unlocks the fullness
of life. It turns what we have
into enough, and more. It turns
denial into acceptance, chaos to
order, confusion to clarity. It
can turn a meal into a feast, a
house into a home, a stranger
into a friend. Gratitude makes
sense of our past, brings peace
for today, and creates a vision
for tomorrow. I stand here in
front of you on behalf of the
Commission for the
Evangelization and Pastoral Care
of the Migrants to tell you just
how much your inspiring presence
and love means to us. These have
been the precious times that we
hold dear to our heart and
special moments that can never
be replaced, neither by time nor
all the wealth in the world.
All of you contributed your
great share in making this
programme ever memorable and
colourful. I would like to offer
our special gratitude to Mr P.J.
Joseph, H’ble Minister for
Public works for his loving
presence and words of wisdom.
Sir, thank you very much. Then
we have Abp Mar George
Valiamattam;, Mrs Mercy
Williams, our Mayor; Mr K.M.
Mani MLA who is very close to
all our bishops and especially
to Bp Gregory Karotemprel and to
most of us; Dr Sebastian Paul
MP; Mr Francis George MP; Prof.
K.V. Thomas MLA; Very Rev. Fr
Antony Kariyil, the prior
General of the CMI Congregation;
Mr Roshy Augustine, my own MLA
and Very Rev. Sr Esprit SH, the
Superior General of the Sacred
Heart Congregation amidst us who
have blessed us with their great
presence and words of
encouragement. I am beholden to
all of you. Thank you very very
much. In a special way I thank
Bp Sebastian Adayanthrath and Fr
Mathew Manavalan, the director
of Renewal Centre for their
cooperation and hard work to
make this public Reception
really a tremendous one.
Finally, thanking one and all,
remain. Thank you. |
