Showing posts with label outside Kerala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outside Kerala. Show all posts

Monday, January 8, 2018

Shamshabad Eparchy Inaugurated with Mar Raphael Thattil as the 1st Bishop

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the second largest Christian grouping in India (after the Roman Catholic Latin rite) has officially instituted its 31st Diocese in Shamshabad (Telengana State) which was constituted by Pope Francis recently on 10th of October, 2017. In a magnificent and devotional ceremony held at CKR and KTR Convention hall in Santhom Nagar in Hyderabad, which was participated by Cardinals, Arch Bishops and many Bishops, Priests, Nuns and the public, the Major Arch Bishop of the Syro Malabar Church, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry formally dedicated the Diocese to Vatican and enthroned Mar Raphael Thattil as the first Bishop of this largest Eparchy of the Church, and entrusted him with the great and hard responsibility of overseeing the 'Mission work' spread across a vast and difficult area, which is the primary duty of the Church assigned by her Master.

As the construction of the new Cathedral Church for the Shamshabad Diocese is in progress, St Alphonsa Syro Malabar Church at Kukatpally in Hyderabad will serve temporarily as the pro-cathedral and Bishop's House. 

The responsibility of gathering and serving more than 1,30,000 faithful spread across 100 towns in the country (out side Kerala state) is vested in the Bishop. He is to cater to the spiritual needs of the faithful belonging to 11 operative and 7 under construction Churches, with the help of about 88 Priests and few hundred nuns now. 

"The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23). We can see in the history of the world and the history of the church, God has chosen, called and empowered some people as per His will depending upon the situations and needs. Even though the elections of people are proven to be wrong, God's selection never fails. To lead HIS Church on earth He has anointed Holy Father Pope Francis and to administer his vibrant Syro-Malabar Church, HE has weighed, called and authorized loyal and devoted Shepherds like Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Mar Raphael Thattil, Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal etc to guide His Church in these hard and difficult days.

The activities of the dark forces are very prevalent in the world and in the Church also. satan is more cunning than ever. he takes attractive and enchanting guises to mislead everyone, if possible even the chosen ones. Nowadays we see in the Church, how he shows the sweetness of power and positions, and uses the servants of God as his tools to damage the Church who the Bride of Christ..! 

Dear fellow believers, do not be deceived by the vanity the world shows you. The only aim of every Christian in this world should be eternal Life in the Kingdom of God! Whatever the world can offer will pass away after a short period. If you can believe what our Lord has in store for you,  [1 Cor 2:9] nothing in this world can entice you and you will definitely gain strength of God and help of His Mother, through the recitation of Rosary Prayers regularly, to resist the traps of all evil.

Please be vigilant and pray for we do not know the time and hour!