REPORT OF THE 40TH LRC SEMINAR

Indeed we are proud to conduct the seminar on the occasion of the Ad limna visit of the Bishops  from the Syro Malabar and the Syro Malankara Bishops. It should be written in the golden letters in the history of the marthoma yogam, because it was for the first time in the history of the Marthoma yogam, more than 30 bishops participated in the Marthoma yogam Seminar.

The seminar was conducted with the collaboration of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome. It was conducted on the topic “New Evangelization within and beyond: An Eastern Catholic Perspective” on 31st March 2011 Thursday at 3.30 p.m. Fr.Jairaj Kidangan Mani, the president of the Marthoma Yogam was the master of the ceremony. Prayer song was sung by the priests and sisters of the Marthoma yogam under the leader ship of Rev. Fr. Augustine Puthuparambil. Rev.Fr. James McCann Sj Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute welcomed the Gathering. Shawls were adorned by the executive members to all the Chief Guests. His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches was invited to deliver the Inaugural Message, but due to his busy schedule with the Ad limna visit of the Bishops from India , he requested the His Excellency Mar Bosco Puthur , the administrator of the Syro Malabar Church to read his inaugural Message.  H.E.Mar Bosco Puthur read the inaugural message of His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.  His Eminence Cardinal Bernard Francis Law was invited to be the moderator of the seminar. His Eminence Cardinal Bernard Francis Law introduced the Topic of the seminar “New Evangelization within and Beyond: An Eastern Catholic Perspective. Then he introduced all the three speakers, His. Excellency Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of the Eparchy of Palai, Mons. Natale Loda, Professor of the Pontifical Lateran University , Rome and Rev. Prof. Pablo Gefaell, Professor of the Pontifical University of Santa Croce, Rome. His Excellency Mar Joseph Kallarangatt , presented his valuable views on the communion Ecclesiology from the Eastern Perspective. Mons. Natale Loda presented his seminar on the topic of New Evangelization of Eastern Catholics. Rev.Prof. Pablo Gefaell illumined on the pastoral care of Eastern Faithful outside the Territory of their Church Sui Iuris. After this session a break was given, during the break papers were distributed to the participants  for the questions to the  speakers. During the break all the participants interacted with all the Bishops who were present there for the seminar. The Pontifical Oriental Institute sponsored the refreshments to all the participants. Some Indian refreshments were also presented by the Marthoma yogam.

After the Break the speakers made a small summary regarding their topic and the discussions were held under the leadership of the Moderator. All the speakers efficiently answered the questions which were asked by the participants. Even the bishops actively participated in the discussion; especially the bishop of Chicago shared his views about the evangelization done in the United States. His Grace Mar Andrews Thazhath , the president of the Keral Catholic Bishops’ Conference delivered the concluding Remarks. Rev. Sr. Nancy CHF, expressed the words of Gratitude to the gathering. The seminar concluded with the hymn to our Lady.