THE SYRO-MALANKARA CATHOLIC CHURCH

MAJOR ARCHIEPISCOPAL CURIA

CATHOLICATE CENTRe, TRIVANDRUM- 695 004, KERALA INDIA

THE SECOND HOLY EPISCOPAL SYNOD
 (1 – 2 DECEMBER 2005)

REPORT

          The second Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church was convoked at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom, Trivandrum from 1st to 2nd December 2005. His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios, Major Archbishop-Catholicos presided over the Synod.  All the members of the Synod, namely, Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos (Secretary of the Synod), Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Timotheos, Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Most Rev. Isaac Mar Cleemis, Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios and Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas, were present. Rev. Fr. Antony Valiyavilayil OIC, the Chancellor, recorded the proceedings. The Synod, in nine sessions, of 1.5 hours each, prolonged two days.
          At 9 a.m. on 1 December 2005, the members of the Synod assembled in the Synod hall of the Catholicate Centre. His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios, Major Archbishop-Catholicos initiated the opening prayer and lighted the lamp while the Synodal Fathers chanted the hymn Velivu niranjoriso. Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos, the Secretary of the Synod, led the prayer reading the Word of God.

Presidential Address by His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios
         
          His Beatitude delivered the inaugural address. He welcomed all the members to the second canonical Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church, which was convoked with the consent of the Permanent Synod anticipating the Synod to be held on 6 January 2006 in order to expedite the execution of the decisions of the First Synod and the constitution of some of the basic canonical structures of our Church.  He also informed the Synod about the progress of the codification of the Particular Law of our Church.  He pointed out the need to finalise the constitution of the various Synodal commissions to ensure the participation of our laity, the religious and the clergy in the building up of our Church.  He also thanked the officials of the curia for their efforts in preparing well for the Synod-in-session.  He reminded the Synodal Fathers on the commitment of the Church towards the mission entrusted to her.  Besides, he drew the attention of the Fathers to the significance of December 1, the World AIDS Day and reiterated the Church’s pastoral commitment to the suffering and afflicted.  he declared the Synod open.

The Presentation and Approval of the Agenda

          The President presented the following agenda for the persual of the Synod:
1.      Report of The First Holy Synod
2.      Matter Sub-Secreto
3.      Finalisation of the Consultors of the Various Commissions
4.      Malankara Major Seminary and Priestly Formation
5.      Printing of the Catechism Texts; Centralised Evaluation and other Related Matters
6.      Printing of Prayer Books
7.      On Holding the Malankara Catholic Assembly
8.      Discussion on the Statutes of the Synod of Bishops and Permanent Synod of the Malankara Catholic Church Submitted to the President
9.      Other matters allowed by the President with the consent of the Synod.
The Synod accepted the agenda.

The Report of the First Holy Synod

          The Report of the First Synod was read out by Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos, the Secretary of the Synod. After clarifications and corrections, the report was passed at the proposal of Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios and seconded by Most Rev. Isaac Mar Cleemis.