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CBCI-Gen/Cir-13/2012

09-May-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

Greetings from the CBCI Centre, New Delhi!

The 118th Meeting of the CBCI Standing Committee was held at St. John’s, Bangalore, from April 25-27, 2012. On 25th April the Standing Committee met as the Caritas Council, which is the General Body of Caritas India. During the two sessions, the Annual Report was given by Fr. Varghese Mattamana, Executive Director of Caritas India and the Audited Statement of Accounts as well as the Budget presented were approved. Besides, the Caritas India Policy on Environmental Justice, which was redrafted/reviewed by Caritas India in view of the suggestions made earlier by the Caritas Council, was presented to the house and, after a short discussion, approved.

In the afternoon, the Standing Committee members met as the General Body of the CBCI Society for Medical Education, North India, during which the Annual Report was read out by Fr. Mario D’Souza, Project Director.

1. At the first session of 26th April, the Report of the previous Standing Committee Meeting was placed before the house by the Secretary General and thereafter passed.

The evaluation of the last General Body Meeting was very positive and encouraging. One of the most interesting comments was that the talks were very helpful. The overall atmosphere was very cordial and friendly.

2. With regard to the need of a paradigm shift in the formation and on-going formation of Priests, it was remarked that the Priestly Formation is a concern of all the three sui juris Churches. It was unanimously agreed that the quality, rather than number, should be a crucial criterion in the process of recruiting seminarians and that the formators should be role models to the seminarians/formees. The Office for Clergy and Religious will follow up the matter.

3. Some important legal issues regarding St. John’s Medical College were discussed and a Master Plan for St. John’s was presented before the house.

4. The following Appointments/Confirmations were made:

a) In place of Fr. G. Cosmon Arokiaraj, Secretary of Office for SC/BC, who will be completing his term of office in July 2012, Fr. Devasagayaraj from the Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore has been appointed Secretary of the Office for SC/BC.

b) It was resolved by the Standing Committee that in view of the Reorganization of CBCI, the confirmations of the Secretaries of the CBCI Offices after their one year of probation will be only for three years instead of five years. In the light of this resolution the following two confirmations were made:

i) Fr. Vincent Chinnadurai, Secretary of the Office for Laity, who will be completing his one year of probation in May 2012, was confirmed for the term of three years.

ii) Fr. Philiph Franky D’Souza, Secretary of CBCI Office for Youth, who will be completing his one year of probation in August 2012, was confirmed for the term of three years.

c) Fr. Paul Moonjely from the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly has been appointed Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India.

d) In place of Fr. Jacob Srampickal, SJ, who was appointed Director of NISCORT during the Standing Committee Meeting held on the eve of the last GBM, but sadly passed away in the month of April 2012, Fr. George Plathottam, SDB, Secretary of the CBCI Office for Social Communications has been appointed Director of NISCORT.

5. Two members have been appointed for a term of four years on the Governing Board of Caritas India, namely, Ms. Raynah Braganza Passanha for the Western Region and Fr. Xavier Vedam, SJ for Tamilnadu Region.

6. After a detailed presentation of the Report on NISCORT prepared by the Special Committee appointed by the CBCI Standing Committee, the house felt that the Governing Body of NISCORT carefully studies this Report and implement concrete suggestions and recommendations made by the said Special Committee.

7. After an exchange of views on the establishment of Missio-India, it was unanimously felt that this important initiative/proposal should be taken forward by the CBCI without further delay. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, President of CBCI suggested that a Special Committee be formed under his direction to study the proposal and follow it up with a concrete action plan. Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, Bishop Yvon Ambroise and Archbishop Andrews Thazhath would form part of this Committee.

8. Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Bishop-in-Charge of the CBCI Office for Education and Culture apprised the house of the recent judgment on the RTE Act given by the Supreme Court of India and proposed a future course of action to be taken. This was approved by the House.

9. The Audited Statement of Accounts of the CBCI for 2011-2012 and the Budget for 2012-2013 presented by the Deputy Secretary General were approved by the house. Similarly, the Budgets of the CBCI Offices presented by the respective Bishops-in-Charge were also approved.

10. The CBCI-CRI Joint Meeting was held on 27th April (afternoon).

11. The venue of the next Standing Committee Meeting will be St. John’s, Bangalore. The dates are as follows:

26th September, 2012 : St. John’s General Body Meeting, which will be followed by the Annual General Body
Meeting of NBCLC.

27th-28th September, 2012 : Standing Committee Meeting proper.

29th September, 2012 (morning) : CBCI-CRI Joint Committee Meeting.

With kind regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely,

+ Albert D’Souza

Archbishop of Agra &

Secretary General, CBCI

CBCI-Gen/Cir-12/2012

12-Apr-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:Erection of the new Eparchy of Faridabad and Appointment of Rev. Msgr. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara as its first Eparchial Bishop.

Your Eminence/Beatitude/Grace/Excellency,

Cordial Greetings from the CBCI Centre, New Delhi!

In the light of the Statement received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I am pleased to inform you that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has erected the new Eparchy of Faridabad of the Syro-Malabars (India), and has appointed, as its first Eparchial Bishop, Rev. Msgr. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, of the Clergy of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, until now Counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Germany, conferring on him the title of Archbishop ad personam.

This provision was made public in Rome, on Tuesday, 6th March, 2012, at noon local time, corresponding to 16.30 hours, Indian Standard Time.

The new Eparchy of Faridabad comprises the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the States of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir as well as the Districts of Gautambuddhanagar and Ghaziabad that belong to the State of Uttar Pradesh. The new diocese has 9.50 lakh square kilometers of area. The new Bishop is taking charge of the pastoral care of about one lakh of Syro-Malabar Catholics in this area. Over 44 priests and 200 religious women are already working in different personal parishes there. Priests and Religious from the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly and other Eparchies and religious congregations are doing dedicated service in the parishes as well as in the educational field and other apostolates.

Msgr. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara was born on 1st February, 1959 at the St. Augustine’s Parish Karippassery (Moozhikkulam Forane). He completed his primary and high school studies at the Government Lower Primary School (Vattaparambu), at the St. Mary’s Upper Primary School (Moozhikkulam) and at the Government High School (Puliyanam). He did his Seminary studies at the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Trikkakara (1973-1976); Philosophy at the St. Joseph’s, Carmelgiri (1976-1979) and Theology at the St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Aluva (1979-1983). He was ordained priest on 18th December, 1983.

He did his university studies in Malayalam language and literature from Kerala University (1984-1988) and P. G. Diploma in Journalism and Communication from Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan. He holds Licentiate in Latin Canon Law from Pontifical Lateran University, Rome (1989-90); Licentiate in Oriental Canon Law from Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome (1990-1991) and a Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law fromPontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, with research work on “Particular Law of a sui iuris Church: a Blueprint for the Syro-Malabar Church” (1992-1994). He had his Post-Doctoral Studies in Jurisprudence from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (1994).

As a priest he served as Assistant at the St. Mary’s Forane Church, Tripunithura (1983-1988); as Acting Parish Priest at the St. George’s Church, Thiruvankulam and at the St. Mary’s Church Vimalagiri, Malayatoor (1988).

Msgr. Kuriakose also has specialization and Diplomas in Religious Studies from the Congregation for Religious Life (1990); in Sacraments - Ratum et non consummatum, from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments (1992) and in Canonization: from the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints (1993). He had his Diplomatic Training from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

He was also involved in the beatification process of Servant of Mariam Thresia, which was successfully completed together with Rev. Fr. George Nedungatt SJ, as Assistant Vice-Postulator in cause of Bl. Mariam Thresia (1995).

Msgr. Kuriakose was selected as secretarial staff of the Synod for the Synod of Bishops on Religious life (1994) and on Africa (1995). In the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church held in Rome (1992) he served as a local contact person and facilitator.

His Diplomatic services include:

- Probation in Thailand; Cameroon and Guinea Equatorial (Second Secretary); Iraq and Jordan (First Secretary): During his stay in Iraq, he could get acquainted with the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate as well as many other Oriental Catholic Churches.

- Venezuela (Second Counsellor); Republic of Congo and Gabon.

- Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York (First Counsellor). He was desk officer for the so-called Second Committee of the United Nations, dealing with development, climate change, sustainability, poverty eradication, etc.

- Since July 2012, Msgr. Kuriakose has been appointed Deputy Head of the Mission at the Apostolic Nunciature in Germany.

After his journalism course, Msgr. Kuriakose was appointed Associate Editor of Sathyadeepam (1985-88). He was also associated with the St. Thomas Academy Research News during this period. Some of his publications are: i) The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches: An Introduction to its History and Content (Star Pub. 1992); ii) The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches: A Study and Interpretation (Co-editor) (Star Pub. 1993); iii) Ius Particulare Ecclesiae Sui Iuris, Problems and Prospects for the Syro-Malabar Church (Rome 1994), Doctoral dissertation; iv) Il Diritto Orientale nell’Ordinamento Ecclesiale (Editor) Libreria Editrice Vaticana (1995); v) Particular Law of the Oriental Churches, Maron Publications Brooklyn, USA (1996).

We extend to Most Rev. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara our hearty congratulations and wish him all the very best in his new mission as the first Eparchial Bishop of the new Eparchy of Faridabad and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Eparchy.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-10/2012

11-Apr-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. Stephen M. Tiru, Bishop of Khunti.

Your Eminence/Beatitude/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. Stephen M. Tiru, Bishop of Khunti, passed away on 3rd March, 2012. This 74 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 25 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Stephen M. Tiru was born on 1st December, 1937, at Sardikel, presently Bichna Parish of Khunti Diocese. After his primary education and high school he graduated at the St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi. After doing Philosophy at the St. Albert’s College, Ranchi and Theology at the Collegio Urbano, Rome, he was ordained priest on 4th May, 1969.

During his priestly ministry, he was Co-Pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ranchi, and then appointed Pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral twice in 1974 and from 1981-1985. He served also as the Secretary to the then Archbishop Pius Kerketta.

On 18th April, 1986 he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dumka and ordained Bishop on 7th October, 1986. He paved the way for the Diocese of Purnea by building the Church (future Cathedral) and setting up other infrastructure.

After his Episcopal ministry in Dumka for nine years, he was appointed Bishop of the new Diocese of Khunti created on 1st April, 1995. His installation as the first Bishop of Khunti took place on 30th July, 1995. He worked hard to build up this new Diocese where he established three new parishes.

He was the Chairman of the Commission for Youth of BIJHAN Region.

Unfortunately, in the latter part of his life, Bishop Tiru’s health went on deteriorating but he bore his sickness with great courage and cheerfulness abiding by the will of God. Simplicity was the hallmark of this great Pastor who was also very sociable. Despite the pain of his prolonged illness, he proved to be a very caring Pastor much concerned about his flock which he strengthened in faith and charity without sparing any efforts.

In his homily, during the funeral service, His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal Toppo paid tribute of love to Bishop Stephen Tiru, his seminary companion and rightly said that ‘in spite of his sickness, even in agony, Bishop Tiru always smiled and welcomed people heartily’.

The funeral service of Bishop Stephen M. Tiru held on 4th March, 2012, at the St. Michael Cathedral Campus, Khunti, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop Stephen M. Tiru, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-11/2012

11-Apr-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:Most Rev. Binay Kandulna, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi appointed Apostolic Administrator of Khunti.

Your Eminence/Beatitude/Grace/Excellency,

Cordial Greetings from the CBCI Centre, New Delhi!

In the light of the Statement received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I am pleased to inform you that on Saturday, 3rd March, 2012, after the sudden death of Most Rev. Stephen M. Tiru, Bishop of Khunti, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples has appointed Most Rev. Binay Kandulna, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Khunti sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis (Decree No. 930/12).

With kind regards and best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-09/2012

10-Apr-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:1.Most Rev. Lucas Sirkar, SDB, Archbishop of Calcutta, retires.

2.Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, Coadjutor Archbishop of Calcutta, appointed Archbishop of Calcutta.

Your Eminence/Beatitude/Grace/Excellency,

In the light of the Statement received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I would like to inform you that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Lucas Sirkar, SDB, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Calcutta and has appointed Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, the Coadjutor Archbishop, as new Archbishop of Calcutta.

This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome, on Thursday, 23rd February, 2012, at noon local time, corresponding to 16.30 hours, Indian Standard Time.

1. Most Rev. Lucas Sirkar was born at Barisol, present day Bangladesh, on 24th September, 1936. He joined the Salesians of Don Bosco of Calcutta Province and was ordained priest on 20th April, 1968. He was appointed Bishop of Krishnagar on 22nd June, 1984 and was ordained Bishop on 22nd September, 1984. On 14th April, 2000, he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Calcutta and on 2nd April, 2002 he was appointed Archbishop of Calcutta.

In Krishnagar, Bishop Lucas with his youthful zeal and pastoral charity, built up the Diocese in every aspect following in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors. Under his direction, local vocations got a boost as he opened a Minor Seminary for candidates who wanted to become diocesan priests. As a fruit of his efforts, the number of diocesan priests increased. He opened new parishes and Mass Centres, gave a new orientation to evangelization very specially among the Santhal tribals of the District of Murshidabad.

One of the important contributions of Bishop Lucas to the Diocese of Krishnagar was the foundation of a new congregation of Sisters – Adoration Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – who by their life of prayer, contemplation, adoration and work, help the Diocese in its mission of evangelization and service in different sectors.

As Archbishop of Calcutta, Most Rev. Lucas visited every nook and corner of this vast Archdiocese spreading the Gospel Message. He encouraged and promoted local vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and thanks to his countless efforts, there are today many local seminarians studying in Major Seminaries. Due to his concern for evangelization and proper pastoral care, more parishes came to existence in the Archdiocese. It was during his tenure in office that a separate Syro-Malabar Parish was erected for the pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar faithful. His simplicity and humility endeared him to all. As promoter of Small Christian Communities, Archbishop Lucas made it his priority for the Parishes in the Archdiocese as well as in the entire Region of Bengal.

While we feel truly proud of Archbishop Lucas Sirkar and of his caring and able pastoral leadership and thank the Almighty God for his generous services for the Church in India and society at large, we wish him God’s abundant blessings and many more years of fruitful apostolate as a retired Archbishop.

2. Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza was born on 26th August, 1950, at Adyarpadav, Neermarga Parish, in the Diocese of Mangalore. He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Darjeeling on 16th April, 1977. When the Diocese of Darjeeling was bifurcated in 1997, he was appointed the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Bagdogra on 14th June, 1997, and ordained Bishop on 25th January, 1998. On 12th March, 2011, he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Calcutta and Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Diocese of Bagdogra.

As the Shepherd of the newly erected Diocese of Bagdogra, Bishop Thomas endeared himself to the nearly 53,000 Catholics most of whom were Adivasi Tribals working in the local Tea Gardens as daily labourers. Besides the growth of the Diocese in numbers, the sterling quality of faith was made possible through thrusts for evangelization, faith formation, education and healthcare services very specially for the poor and marginalized, involving diocesan priests, men and women religious and lay leaders. His commendable initiatives for Ecumenism have brought many Christian denominations together for a common witness to Christian faith very specially in Siliguri.

Bishop Thomas served the Bengal Regional Bishops’ Council as its Secretary. He was nominated as Bishop Representative of CBCI on the New Education Group Foundation for Innovation and Research in Education (NEG-FIRE) for two consecutive terms (2007-2009 and 2009-2011).

We extend to Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza our hearty congratulations and wish him all the very best as Archbishop of Calcutta and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Archdiocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-08/2012

09-Apr-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:1. Most Rev. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-Mylapore, appointed Bishop of Dharmapuri.

2. Most Rev. Joseph Antony Irudayaraj, SDB, Bishop of Dharmapuri, retires.

Your Eminence/Beatitude/Grace/Excellency,

In light of the Statement received from the Apostolic Nunciature, with great joy I inform you that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Most Rev. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-Mylapore, as the new Bishop of Dharmapuri.

This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome, on Friday, 13th January, 2012, at noon local time, corresponding to 16.30 hours, Indian Standard Time.

1. Most Rev. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj was born on 14th June, 1954, at Santhome in Madras (Tamilnadu). After his primary and secondary studies, he joined the Seminary in 1975. He did his Philosophy at the Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamalee and Theology at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune and was ordained priest on 28th December, 1981. After a stint of pastoral ministry, as Assistant Parish Priest, St. Thomas Mount (1982), he was appointed Professor of Philosophy and Formator in the Sacred Heart Seminary (1983-1989); Dean of Department of Philosophy (1994-1998) and then Vice-Rector of the same Seminary (1998). He holds B.Sc. degree in Zoology and M.A. in Philosophy. In 1994 he obtained Ph.D in Gandhian Thought both from the University of Sorbonne and the Catholic Institute of Paris.

On 28th November, 1998 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-Mylapore and Titular Bishop Absa Salla on 28th November, 1998 and was ordained Bishop on 21st February, 1999.

He served the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (TNBC) as the Chairman of the Family Commission (1999); of the Catechetical Commission (February 2010); and of the Social Communications Commission (2011).

We extend to Most Rev. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, our hearty congratulations and wish him all the very best in his new mission as Bishop of Dharmapuri and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

2. Most Rev. Joseph Antony Irudayaraj, SDB, was born on 14th October, 1935 at Purisalvakkam, Chennai. He professed in the Salesian Family on 25th May, 1956 and after his Seminary studies he was ordained priest on 20th April, 1965. He did a Course in Spirituality in Rome (1972-1973). He served as Rector for 22 years at Vellore, Tirupattur, Yercaud and Broadway; and as Provincial Councilor for 9 years (1979-1988). Thereafter, he worked as Parish Priest for 3 years at Pondicherry, Ayanavam.

He was appointed Bishop of Dharmapuri on 28th February, 1997 and was ordained Bishop on 24th April, 1997. At the Regional level, he was assigned the Chairmanship of Youth Commission of the TNBC (1998-2008) and subsequently that of Labour Commission (2009-2012).

Led by missionary zeal, Bishop Joseph Antony established in his Diocese 10 new Parishes and 4 new Mission Stations. To further the work of evangelization and to foster education, health care and social development, he invited several religious congregations, both of men and women, v.gr. Capuchins, Salesians, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, Missionaries of Charity, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Sisters of Destitute, Congregation of Jesus, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, to mention some. He also allowed the opening of new communities by women religious already working in the Diocese, such as Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, Sisters of St. Anne, Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, to mention a few.

In the educational field, Bishop Joseph began upgrading several diocesan and religious schools and established some educational institutions, v.gr. 3 colleges, a Teachers’ Training Institute, Non-formal Polytechnic and a new school at Dharmapuri. He also built many Churches, Chapels and Presbyteries and renovated some.

Faithful to his episcopal motto “All things to all” (1 Cor. 9, 22), Bishop Joseph was ever gentle and kind to one and all. He had special devotion to the Lord in the Eucharist, Mother Mary and St. Joseph and this intense love was being reflected in his sermons. In all his spade work, while building up his Diocese, he had deep faith in the Divine Providence and trust in the protection of Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother. Man of few words but an attentive and patient listener, he was easily available for everyone and always had time to spare for his priests and his people.

During his episcopal ministry, he visited his flock in all their hamlets and villages. As someone rightly said, ‘Bishop Joseph Antony will continue to live in the hearts of everyone in his Diocese and, in particular, in the hearts of the people who live in every small hamlet of his Diocese’.

While we feel truly proud of Bishop Joseph Antony Irudayaraj and of his caring and able pastoral leadership and thank the Almighty God for his generous services for the Church in India and society at large, we wish him God’s countless blessings and many more years of fruitful apostolate as a retired Bishop.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-06/2012

13-Mar-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:1. Most Rev. Thomas Menamparampil, SDB, Archbishop of Guwahati, retires.

2. Most Rev. John Moolachira, Coadjutor Archbishop of Guwahati, appointed Archbishop of Guwahati.

Your Eminence/Beatitude/Grace/Excellency,

In the light of the Statement received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I am pleased to inform you that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Thomas Menamparampil, SDB, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Guwahati and has appointed Most Rev. John Moolachira, the Coadjutor Archbishop, as new Archbishop of Guwahati.

This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome, on Wednesday, 18th January, 2012, at noon local time, corresponding to 16.30 hours, Indian Standard Time.

1. Most Rev. Thomas Menamparampil was born on 22nd October, 1936 at Palai in Kerala. After his primary education at St. Thomas English School, Palai, he pursued his high school studies at Darjeeling, West Bengal. After a year long religious training in Yercaud (Tamilnadu) he became a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco on 24th May, 1955. After completing his Philosophical and Theological courses, he was ordained priest on 2nd May, 1965. He holds a B.A. as well as M.A. in English and History from the University of Calcutta. As a young Salesian, he was appointed in 1965 Headmaster of Savio Juniorate in Shillong and served as a warden of St. Anthony’s College Hostel (Stephen Hall) from 1969 to 1972. Subsequently, he was Vice-Provincial of the Don Bosco Society of North East India (1972-1975). During this tenure he toured the Northeastern Region and Bhutan exclusively, and began writing on the various tribes and communities of the region and brought out the first Anthropological Map of the Northeast.

On 19th June, 1981, he was appointed Bishop of Dibrugarh and was ordained Bishop on 29th November, 1981. Thereafter Bishop Thomas was appointed the first Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Guwahati on 30th March, 1992 and then became its Archbishop on 10th July, 1995, when it was raised to an Archdiocese.

Over the years he opened more than 20 schools in lower Assam with hostels for boys and girls and constructed 3 hospitals and many training centres for the blind, handicapped and illiterate. It was due to his assiduous effort that the new diocese of Bongaigaon came into existence in 2000.

Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil has not only cared for the Catholic community entrusted to him – which represents hardly 1% of the total population of his Archdiocese – but also has carried out with great apostolic zeal his task as Pastor for all the other groups in society.

For decades Archbishop Menamparampil has worked tirelessly for peace, reconciliation and stability in North East India, a region marked by constant territorial conflicts and tribal warfare. Undoubtedly, his earnest commitment to peacefully settling several conflicts between various tribal groups is highly commendable. His persistant work is recognised both by religious and civil leaders at the local level and is known and appreciated throughout India and Asia. Peace and reconciliation, in the name of the Gospel, are the mission to which he has dedicated his whole life. His approach, as Archbishop Menamparampil himself describes it, is: “to let the Word of God find a place in the hearts and lives of the people and the communities which are in conflict. This is how peace flourishes.”

In 1998 he won the prestigious Maschio Award (Mumbai) for peace and reconciliation. In August 2003 Archbishop Menamparampil became the Convenor of a Joint Peace Team set up by all the Churches of North East India.

Just recently he succeeded in making further progress in inter-religious dialogue by organising in Bangkok, Thailand, a Congress of 50 experts and scholars of the cultures and religions of Asia on the subjects of Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Taoism and traditional religions.

Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil was the member of the Standing Committee of the CBCI for 17 years and Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Education and Culture (2006-2010). Under his inspirational leadership, the said Commission brought out the ‘All India Catholic Education Policy 2007’. He was also appointed Member of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Presently, he is the Chairman of the North Eastern Regional Council of the Bishops. He is also working at the continental level and in the Federation of the Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) chairing the Commission for Evangelisation. His work is greatly appreciated by all the Bishops of the continent.

Voracious reader and prolific writer, he has to his credit several books and booklets and has written many articles related to culture, education, prayer and peace.

While we feel truly proud of Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil and of his caring and able pastoral leadership and thank the Almighty God for his generous services for the Church in India and the society at large, we wish him God’s countless blessings and many more years of fruitful apostolate as a retired Archbishop.

2. Most Rev. John Moolachira was born on 14th December, 1951, at Puthusserykadavu, Kerala, in the Eparchy of Mananthavady. After his primary and high school studies at his native village, he entered the St. Thomas Minor Seminary at Chennai, as a candidate for the Diocese of Tezpur.

He did his Philosophical studies at the Christ King College, Shillong, and graduated (B.A.) from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong. After his Theology at the Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, he was ordained priest on 23rd October, 1978. At the very outset of his priestly ministry, he was entrusted with the responsible task of priestly formation as Vice-Rector of Muktidata Minor Seminary, Tezpur (1978-1983) and subsequently as the Rector of the same Seminary (1983-1986). In the field of education he held the post of a Headmaster of Don Bosco School, Tezpur for a period of ten years (1986-1996).

After serving as Parish Priest of Udalguri (1996-2005), he was sent for higher studies to Rome where he obtained his Doctorate in Ecumenism. Besides, he has been member of different Commissions of the Diocese of Tezpur as well as member of the College of Consultors. He was appointed Bishop of Diphu on 14th February, 2007 and was ordained Bishop on 15th April, 2007. On 9th April, 2011 he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Guwahati.

During his episcopal ministry, his top priority was the work of evangelization and deepening of the faith of his flock. In order to promote it, he invited to his diocese several religious congregations, both of men and women, who got themselves involved in the pastoral work. Besides several new schools, five new parishes were established in the diocese.

As a caring pastor, Bishop John visited the village communities till the remote corners of the diocese, winning their love and appreciation. With the wholehearted collaboration of both priests and religious, he was able to continue the work of his predecessors in the field of health care and agricultural development. Keen in celebrating the Holy Mass and other Sacraments in the tribal languages of his diocese, he encouraged the production of religious literature such as the new editions of the New Testament in Karbi and Tiwa languages.

We extend to Most Rev. John Moolachira our hearty congratulations and wish him all the very best as Archbishop of Guwahati and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Archdiocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-05/2012

05-Mar-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:Most Rev. Bosco Penha, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, retires.

Your Eminence/Beatitude/Grace/Excellency,

In the light of the Statement received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I am pleased to inform you that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Bosco Penha, as Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay. This 75 year old Prelate served the Archdiocese of Bombay with much dedication and great pastoral zeal and exercised his episcopal ministry for 25 years till his retirement on 14th January, 2012.

Bishop Bosco Penha was born on 10th January, 1937, at Bombay, Maharashtra. After completing his studies in Philosophy and Theology, he was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Bombay on 20th December, 1967. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics as well as in Law and a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Rome.

As a priest he served the Bombay Archdiocesan Seminary as its Professor (1968-1972); as Dean of Studies (1976-1979) and as Rector (1979-1985). In 1986 he was appointed Director of Formation and Involvement of Laity in the Mission of Church (FILMC) and Director of Small Christian Communities (SCCs).

On 15th May, 1987, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay and was ordained Bishop on 8th August, 1987.

Bishop Bosco has served the Archdiocese with great dedication and generosity, under the leadership of three Archbishops: Cardinal Simon Pimenta, Cardinal Ivan Dias and Cardinal Oswald Gracias. He is one of the Archdiocese’s Vicar Generals, with special responsibility for the Laity. His contribution to the Archdiocese – and indeed to the whole Indian Church – especially for the Small Christian Communities (SCCs) and the Lay Apostolate, are well-known and much appreciated. He has visited many dioceses in India to start and encourage the Small Christian Communities model for parishes. The SCC project entered the Archdiocese through what is known as the Bombay Priests’ Synod of 1980 which made a declaration that every parish and every priest would give a priority to the building of Small Christian Communities. The work began in a systematic manner in June 1984 and over the last 25 years it has grown in strength and stature. As a result almost every parish in the Archdiocese is now structured into SCCs. There are now 2000 communities and over 13,000 animators.

Following are other praiseworthy initiatives of Bishop Bosco Penha, namely, the fostering of the Eucharistic Adoration; greater involvement of Catholics in civic and political life through Parish Civic/Political Cells; the introduction of the New Youth Methodology with more visible involvement of youth, and the new way of imparting catechesis of the Sacrament of Confirmation whereby the students/youth are better catechised on their adult role in the Church and are prepared for a life of personal prayer and community service.

Besides being an inspiring Zonal Bishop, he also coordinated the Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical apostolates in the Archdiocese of Bombay.

In 1989 he was elected Chairman of the then CBCI Commission for Laity and Family. He was also largely responsible for setting up in 1992 the Women’s Desk which was added to the CBCI Commission for Laity and Family. In 1996 he was appointed Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Women. Earlier in 1992 he was also appointed Ecclesiastical Assistant to All India Catholic Union (AICU).

Currently Bishop Penha is the Chairman of the Committee for Laity and Small Christian Communities of the Western Regional Bishops’ Council.

While we feel truly proud of Bishop Bosco Penha and of his caring and able pastoral leadership and thank the Almighty God for his generous services for the Church in India and the society at large, we wish him God’s countless blessings and many more years of fruitful apostolate as a retired Bishop.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-07/2012

17-Feb-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. Sengole Lawrence Gabriel,

Bishop Emeritus of Tiruchirapalli.

Your Eminence/Beatitude/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. Sengole Lawrence Gabriel, Bishop Emeritus of Tiruchirapalli, passed away on 29th January, 2012. This 83 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 21 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Sengole Lawrence Gabriel was born on 18th September, 1928 at Madhakottai, Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu. He did his schooling in Thanjavur and Seminary formation at Poonamallee, Chennai. He was ordained priest on 27th April, 1955.

During his pastoral ministry Fr. Gabriel served as Asst. Parish Priest at Pudukottai (1955) and at Vailankanni (1955-1964); as Parish Priest at Alangudu (1964) and at Karunganni (1964-1967); as Rector of the St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thanjavur (1967-1982) and as Parish Priest at Vailankannni (1982-1990).

Fr. Gabriel contributed immensely to the phenomenal growth of the Shrine Basilica of Vailankanni both as Asst. Parish Priest and Parish Priest. He erected many buildings and bought a lot of land with the intention of developing Vailankanni just like Lourdes in France. In order to provide adequate safety to pilgrims, he reinforced the security personnel. It was at his time that, through the efforts of Bishop Sundaram and his own hard work, the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Vailankanni was elevated to the status of Basilica by Pope John XXIII. He encouraged the pilgrimages from all corners of Tamilnadu as well as from other parts of India.

In order to enhance the quality and extent of the accommodation of pilgrims, he undertook the construction of many houses/buildings/halls with other residential facilities, v.gr. a hospital for the sick pilgrims, a community hall and an open air auditorium, various cottages and lodges. He also established a new colony known as Antoniarpuram, and provided several quarters for the benefit of the staff.

Fr. Gabriel persuaded several Religious Congregations to establish their houses at the Shrine. While the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sisters of St. Louis Gonzaga are catering to the spiritual needs of the pilgrims, the Missionaries of Charity (MC) take care of the abandoned children and the handicapped. The blessing of the extremely sick with the Blessed Sacrament on every First Saturday as in Lourdes has been a great consolation to the many sick pilgrims that come to the Shrine. He introduced the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on every First Saturday, and the exposition of the Holy Eucharist every day all through the year. Besides, he was much interested in promoting Marian devotion through literature.

In the educational field, he not only built a school for the local boys and girls at Vailankanni but even got it upgraded to the status of a Higher Secondary School. Moreover, he set up schools in many sub-stations of the Parish of Vailankanni and built/renovated some Chapels, particularly where the Christians were less in number.

Press apostolate has always been his favorite option. Besides authoring and editing some books, he did encourage people to write for journals. He always advocated the belief that Catholic books sustain a high culture and nurture piety. He also promoted reading habits and for this purpose he founded Oli Nilaya and a Library in Thanjavur.

For 13 years he was editor of Vailankanni Kuraloli (Tamil monthly of the Shrine Basilica of Vailankanni) and also headed Vedanayakar Ezhuthalar Kazhakam (Tamil Writers’ Association). In fact, he initiated and encouraged the translation of the Papal Encyclicals.

He was National Secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union for 15 years. In this capacity, he visited almost all the Dioceses of India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Wherever he went he spread the devotion to Our Lady of Health Vailankanni and introduced the English monthly ‘Vailankanni Calling’. He strengthened the Legion of Mary not only in the Diocese of Thanjavur but also in the whole of Tamilnadu. He served as the Inspector of schools of the Diocese of Thanjavur for three years and as the Regional Secretary of TNBC for the Catechism.

On 6th October, 1990 Fr. Gabriel was appointed Bishop of Tiruchirapalli and was ordained Bishop on 30th December, 1990.

Simplicity, humility and kindness were the hallmarks of his personality. During his episcopal ministry, he visited the villages and constructed Chapels in many of them. He established at least 10 new parishes. He spared no efforts to make his Diocese financially self-reliant. He had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, which he promoted wherever he went among priests and people. During his pastoral visits to parishes he catechized the faithful to deepen the faith of his flock.

In order to make Jesus Christ more and more known and loved, he encouraged the people to read the Word of God daily and he even supplied the Bible free of cost to all parishes and sub-stations. Very loyal to the Magisterium of the Church, Bishop Gabriel devoted himself tirelessly to the ministry of evangelization, catechesis and charismatic renewal. As a matter of fact, he was deeply convinced about the evangelization done through Kalai Kaviri School of Fine Arts. He gave many talks in All India Radio and his clearly articulated sermons were much appreciated by the people.

Despite all his wonderful achievements and exemplary pastoral leadership, Bishop Gabriel also had his share of suffering and crosses. But in all the adversities that he faced in his Diocese, he always trusted in the Providence of God and maternal protection of Blessed Virgin Mary. On 14th October, 1997, he resigned as Bishop of Tiruchirapalli after serving the Diocese for seven years.

Thereafter, he retired to Vettaikaraniruppu, a remote rural village where he could spend his time in prayer and evangelizing the poor people. He helped the local parish priest in spiritual activities and went about preaching the Word of God all over Tamil Nadu.

The funeral service of Bishop Sengole Lawrence Gabriel held on 30th January, 2012, at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. The body was taken to his home Diocese of Thanjavur where it was buried as per his wish. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop Sengole Lawrence, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-03/2012

27-Jan-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub: Fr. C. Joseph elected new Deputy Secretary General of CBCI.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I write to inform you that the Standing Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India at its meeting in September 2011, has elected Fr. C. Joseph, a priest of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum, as Deputy Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, to succeed Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira, who completes his term of Office in June 2012.

Fr. Chinnnayan Joseph has a degree in Canon Law from the Urban University, Rome and was formerly Judicial Vicar and later Parish Priest of the Basilica in Trivandrum. He has been Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Canon Law and President of the Canon Law Society of India.

The Office-Bearers had decided that the announcement could be made sometime before the Plenary Assembly so as to ensure a smooth transition. Fr. Joseph takes office on 1st June 2012.

With kind regards and best wishes,

Yours in Christ,

Albert D’Souza

Secretary General, CBCI

CBCI-Gen/Cir-02/2012

18-Jan-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church elevated to the dignity of Cardinal.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With immense joy I inform you that His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly has been elevated to the dignity of Cardinal by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.

The official announcement was made on Friday, January 6, 2012, at 12.00 noon Italian time at the Vatican and at 4.30 p.m. at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad.

His Eminence Cardinal Mar George Alencherry was born on 19th April, 1945 at Thuruthy in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, Kerala. He had his primary education at the St. Mary’s School, Thuruthy and secondary education at the St. Berchman’s High School, Changanacherry. While he pursued his studies at the Archdiocesan Minor Seminary at Parel, Changanacherry, he obtained B.A. in Economics from the St. Berchman’s College. He did his philosophical and theological studies at the St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva.

On 18th December, 1972 he was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. He obtained his Master’s degree from the Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy during which period he served as Vicar of the filial Church at Periyarmugham in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. Then he was appointed Assistant Vicar at the Cathedral Church of Changanacherry and Director of the Archdiocesan Faith Formation Department. He was also the Secretary of the Commission for Catechism of the KCBC for three years.

He obtained a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from Sorbonne University and the Catholic Institute of Paris. In 1986 Mar George Alencherry was appointed Director of the Pastoral Orientation Centre (POC) at Palarivattom and Deputy Secretary of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) till 1993. He also served as professor at the St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor till 1997. From 1994 to 1996 he was the Protosyncellus of the Metropolitan of Changanacherry.

On 11th November, 1996, when Pope John Paul II established the new Diocese of Thuckalay he was appointed as its first Bishop and was ordained Bishop on 2nd February, 1997. On 26th May, 2011 Mar George Alencherry was elected new Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church by the Syro-Malabar Bishops’ Synod. The installation of His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry took place on 29th May, 2011, at the St. Mary’s Basilica, Ernakulam, the Cathedral Church of the Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop and the Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamalay.

During 14 years of his episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Thuckalay, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry fostered the mission work and various apostolates in the pastoral field. He also intensified faith formation and spiritual renewal of priests, religious and lay faithful through renewal programs and retreats, which sometimes took the form of a Bible Convention particularly to the lay faithful. Special emphasis was given to Catechesis at different levels (children, youth, adults) and catechetical formation of the teachers. He was also keen in promoting the Family Apostolate through counseling and awareness programs conducted at the parish level with a view of fostering harmony in the families. He also endeared himself as a loving and caring Shepherd both to the clergy and the people at large through his House Visits throughout his Diocese, which he began in 1998 and completed in 2009.

His Eminence Cardinal Mar George Alencherry served the Syro-Malabar Church in various capacities such as Secretary of the Synod of Bishops and Chairman of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Commission for Catechism. He was also the Bishop-in-Charge of the CBCI Office for Laity and Chairman of CBCI-AICU Dialogue Committee.

Cardinal Mar George Alencherry has to his credit a book entitled ‘Morality Today and Tomorrow’ in Malayalam and a number of articles on various topics in English and Malayalam.

We greet the new Indian Cardinal, the fourth in the line of Cardinals in the Syro-Malabar Church with warm felicitations and wish him all the very best for an effective leadership of the Syro-Malabar Church. We fervently pray that His Eminence Cardinal Mar George Alencherry may bear courageous witness to his love for Christ and for the entire Church in India and may contribute towards the unity and communion of the Universal Church.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-01/2012

17-Jan-2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. Francis Braganza, SJ, Bishop Emeritus of Baroda.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. Francis Braganza, Bishop Emeritus of Baroda, passed away on 21st December, 2011. This 89 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 24 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Francis Braganza was born on 29th January, 1922 at Bandra, Mumbai (Maharashtra). He entered the Society of Jesus on 28th May, 1938 at Shembaganur and was ordained priest on 21st November, 1951. Soon after his ordination he was sent to Columbia University (USA) to do his post-graduate studies.

On his return to Gujarat, Fr. Francis served as a Professor at St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad (1956-1961). In addition to his full-time teaching and being the Vice-Principal of the College, he was a warden of the hostel, supervisor of the laboratories, an excellent handyman and effective trouble-shooter.

He also served as the Rector of Rosary School, Vadodara (Baroda) (1961-1962), as the Vice-Provincial of Gujarat (1962-1967), as Assistant to the then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Pedro Arrupe (1967-1970) and as the Principal of St. Xavier’s College (1970-1980). On 27th April, 1987 he was appointed Bishop of Baroda and was ordained Bishop on 29th June, 1987.

As a Bishop he organised a network of health centres headed by Sisters belonging to various Congregations, and proposed schemes to NGOs for their assistance. He also helped and encouraged Sisters to start Mahila Mandals, and saving and lending schemes. He set up a Gratuity Fund for primary school teachers and catechists, and a group insurance policy for the priests of the diocese. He would meet well-wishers and troubled souls giving them a patient hearing or a generous monetary assistance or spiritual advice as required. He was indeed a man for others - a man for the people! He went about his work quietly and efficiently, with a sense of purpose and commitment and with a deep love for the Lord.

On his retirement on 29th August, 1997, he returned to his first vineyard – St. Xavier’s College. He kept himself busy looking after the finances of the College Society for a number of years. He was all of 80 when he took over as the first Director of XICA (Xavier Institute of Computer Application).

Bishop Francis had a very sensitive heart. He felt very deeply for the poor, the clergy, the religious sisters and, above all, the Society. He suffered with those who suffered and rejoiced with those who rejoiced. Wherever he went and whatever he did, he cared for the people who were under his charge - as a Jesuit, an educationist, a Bishop.

As one of his Jesuit confrères rightly said, “He was with them on a mission, and - God knows - he accomplished it with a passion. He taught us to live life with dignity, to face the many worldly cares with serenity. He taught us to find solace in prayer, that there is untold strength in brotherly care...”.

The funeral service of Bishop Francis Braganza held on 22nd December, 2011, at the Rosary Church, Baroda, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop Francis Braganza, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-28/2011

03-Nov-2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub:His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, President of CBCI, appointed new Secretary General of FABC.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

I am happy to inform you that the FABC Central Committee at its Meeting held on October 21, 2011, in Bangkok, Thailand, has elected Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India as its New Secretary General from January 1, 2012. He succeeds Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, from Philippines as the latter completes two terms of office on December 31, 2011. Cardinal Oswald Gracias was a board member of FABC-Office of Social Communication for two terms from 2004-2010.

His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias was born in Bombay on 24th December, 1944. He obtained his Doctorate in Canon Law (Urban University, Rome) and a Diploma in Jurisprudence (Gregorian University, Rome). He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay on 28th June, 1997 and his episcopal ordination took place on 16th September, 1997.

On 8th September, 2000 he was transferred to Agra Archdiocese and installed as its Metropolitan Archbishop on 23rd November, 2000. After six years of his pastoral governance, Archbishop Oswald was transferred from the Archdiocese of Agra back to his native Archdiocese of Bombay on 14th October, 2006 and installed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bombay on 14th December, 2006, at the Holy Name Cathedral, Mumbai. The present Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the dignity of Cardinal on 17th October, 2007.

His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias has served many responsible assignments on national and international levels: He was the President of Canon Law Society of India (1987-1991, 1993-1997), Consultor for the CBCI Doctrinal Committee (1990-1994), Consultor for the CCBI Commission for Interpretation of Legislative Texts (1992-1997) and Consultor for the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, Rome (1997). He was made Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Interpretation of Legislative Texts in 1998 and elected Secretary General of the CBCI for two consecutive terms (1998-2002). He was also President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) for three consecutive terms from 2005-2011; Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications as well as of the National Institute of Social Communications, Research and Training (NISCORT) and of the CBCI Committee for Law and Public Interest Litigation.

Presently he is the Vice-Chairman, Vox Clara Committee; Member of the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts and Member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

We extend to His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias warm felicitations and pray that he may be led by the Spirit of the Risen Lord in his new mission as the Secretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-27/2011

17-Oct-2011

TO THEMEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

Greetings from the CBCI Centre, New Delhi!

The 116th Meeting of the CBCI Standing Committee was held at St. John’s, Bangalore, from September 28-30, 2011. On 28th September, the Standing Committee met as the General Body of the CBCI Society for Medical Education (St. John’s, Bangalore) in the first two sessions in the morning, while the third session was devoted to the Annual General Body of the National Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC) of which Society the Standing Committee is also the General Body. The Audited Statements of Accounts as well as the Budgets presented during both the General Body Meetings were approved by the Standing Committee.

On 29th September, at the first session of the SCM, the President of CBCI, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias heartily welcomed all the participants and congratulated on behalf of all present His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. The Report of the previous Standing Committee was approved by the house.

1. With regard to the next Plenary Assembly of CBCI, Cardinal Oswald Gracias briefed the house about its overall program and shared some relevant information/insights regarding the Theme of the GBM, which he gathered, through the discussions with the Core Team meant for the study of the Theme as well as with the Secretaries of the CBCI Offices. In particular, he read out some pertinent excerpts of a Paper sent to him by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, who is one of the members of the said Core Team. He also communicated that His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace would be invited to the Plenary Assembly and would deliver the Keynote Address.

2.Archbishop Albert D’Souza, Secretary General of CBCI gave a Progress Report on the Reorganization of the CBCI and asked for suggestions/proposals for a more effective implementation of the same. As a matter of fact, he informed the house that, after the conclusion of the SCM, there will be a Session of the Office-Bearers and the Bishops-in-Charge of the CBCI Offices to discuss about the Role and Responsibilities of all the Secretaries of the CBCI Offices. He also said that another Consultation would be held at the CBCI Centre on October 11-12, 2011, which will be attended by all the Regional Deputy Secretaries and the Secretaries of the CBCI Offices in view of strengthening the relationship and the networking among the CBCI Secretariat, CBCI Offices and the Regional Secretariats.

3. Cardinal Oswald Gracias gave an update on the present status of the ‘Norms for dealing with cases involving sexual abuse of minors’ and apprised the house of some important changes introduced in the legal norms and in the pastoral letter prepared by him. After a brief discussion, he said that these Norms along with the pastoral letter would be sent to all the Bishops with a recommendation that they be followed until a definitive approval is given by the Holy See and these Norms become legally binding.

4. Following appointments/confirmations/extensions were made:

i) Fr. Charles Irudayam, Secretary of the CBCI Office for Justice, Peace and Development, who completed his one year of probation in September 2011, was confirmed for the full term of five years.

ii) Sr. Helen Saldanha, SSpS, Secretary of the CBCI Office for Women, who completed her one year of probation in September 2011, was confirmed for the full term of five years.

iii) Fr. Jose Vattakuzhy, Secretary of the CBCI Office for Labour, who will complete his term of office in February 2012 was given an extension of one year. It was resolved that in view of the Reorganization of the CBCI, the extensions after the first full term need not be for three years.

iv) Fr. Frederick D’Souza, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India was appointed Executive Director of Caritas India on completion of his term of office in April 2012.

v) Two members have been appointed for a term of four years on the Governing Board of Caritas India, namely, Fr. Edward Thomas, SDB, for Karnataka Region and Ms. Battu Mary Leela Kumari for Andhra Pradesh Region. Besides, two members were re-appointed for another term of four years, namely, Dr. N. J. Kurian for Northern Region and Sr. Elizabeth Lakra, CM, for Orissa Region.

vi)Most Rev. Francis Kalist, Bishop of Meerut was appointed Ecclesiastical Advisor for the National Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (NCCRS).

vii)Following are the six Bishop Representatives of the CBCI in the CBCI-CRI Joint Committee elected for a period of two years:

1. Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos (re-elected)

2. Most Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes, SJ (re-elected)

3. Most Rev. Mar Joseph Perumthottam

4. Most Rev. William D’Souza, SJ

5. Most Rev. Felix Anthony Machado

6. Most Rev. Anthonisamy Neethinathan

viii) Rev. Fr. Mario D’Souza, MSFS has been appointed new Project Director of the CBCI Society for Medical Education, North India for a period of three years.

5. A brief discussion took place about the proposed project of National TV Channel. Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal and Bishop Franco Mulakkal were selected to represent CBCI on the CBCI-CRI Joint Committee meant for the planning and implementation of the said project.

6. With regard to the Revised Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations of NISCORT presented by Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal, Chairman of NISCORT, the house approved both the documents with the exception of the Clause 16.5 in the Rules and Regulations concerning the Administrator of NISCORT.

7.The approval given to Jesus Youth Movement in September 2008 by the Standing Committee was renewed for another period of three years. Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara was re-appointed for three more years as Ecclesiastical Advisor of Jesus Youth Movement.

8.It was proposed that steps be taken to strengthen and build up a Corpus on the lines of Missio India in view of making the Church in India financially self-reliant. After a brief discussion on the possibility of building funds through which the richer dioceses could help the poorer dioceses, the house approved the proposal.

9.The Audited Statement of Accounts of the CBCI for the year 2010-2011 was approved by the house.

10.The next Standing Committee Meeting will be held at St. John’s, Bangalore, on April 25, 2012 (Caritas Council Meeting) and April 26-27, 2012 (Standing Committee and CBCI-CRI Joint Meeting).

11.As informed earlier, the next General Body Meeting will be held at St. John’s, Bangalore, from February 1-8, 2012 (31st January being the date of arrival and the departure being on February 8, after the lunch).

With kind regards and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

+Albert D’Souza

Archbishop of Agra & Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-26/2011

22-Sep-2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. Peter Thuruthikonam, Bishop Emeritus of Vijayapuram.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. Peter Thuruthikonam, Bishop Emeritus of Vijayapuram, passed away on 5th September, 2011. This 82 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 23 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Peter Thuruthikonam was born on 1st August, 1929, at Vallamkulam near Thiruvalla in Kerala. He did his schooling from CMS L. P. School, Thirumoola; Devaswam Board U. P. School, Puthenkavu and M. G. M. High School, Thiruvalla. He then joined St. Joseph’s Mission Home for his Seminary studies. After completing the Philosophical and Theological courses at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye, he was ordained priest on 12th March, 1959 for the Diocese of Vijayapuram.

During his pastoral ministry he served as a Parish Priest at Thiruvanchoor, Kanjirappara, Vadavathoor and Chengalam. He also served as Secretary to the then Bishop of Vijayapuram Diocese (1966) and as Chancellor. In 1971 when Bishop Cornelius Elanjikal became the first indigenous Bishop of Vijayapuram, he was made Pro-Vicar General and subsequently he became the Administrator of the Diocese in 1987. He was appointed Bishop of Vijayapuram on 5th May, 1988 and was ordained Bishop on 4th August, 1988.

Bishop Peter Thuruthikonam was an exemplary religious leader who worked for the spiritual, educational, economical and social advancement of the faithful under the Vijayapuram Diocese, spread across Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.

He was also a committed social reformer who always struggled for the rights of the Dalit Christians in our country. He fought for the rights of the marginalized people and was always on the forefront of the struggle to ensure equality for Dalits and poor people. He was the Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Scheduled Castes/Tribes and Backward Classes from 1994-1998. He also worked laboriously for the welfare of the Dalit Christians through the KCBC Commission for SC/ST/BC. He got himself arrested following his hunger strike conducted before the Indian Parliament seeking the legitimate rights of the Dalit Christians in India.

In the field of health care his most significant contribution is the taking over of a Hospital for the Diocese and the establishment of the Nursing School for girls. As an educationist, he started 4 higher secondary schools and other educational institutions in various parts of the Diocese. He also set up a Civil Service Academy in his Diocese under the guidance and with the assistance of the CBCI Commission for SC/ST and BC.

‘Daughters of the Immaculate Heart’ was the ever first diocesan Religious Congregation that he founded in his Diocese. During his ministry some new parishes have been established and several plans for the self-sufficiency of the parishes especially in the field of agriculture were implemented. The Diocesan Bulletin “Vijayavani” was started during his tenure.

He also constructed some shopping complexes in view of strengthening the financial set-up of the Diocese. The existing Pastoral Centre was extended so as to accommodate about 150 participants of seminars and meetings. His love for the poor was manifested also by instituting an Old Age Home for the destitute.

Ever faithful to the teachings of the Church, he proved himself to be a genuine shepherd and an ardent evangelizer by his dedication and commitment. True to his episcopal motto “Servire Deo in Pauperibus” (To serve God in the Poor), he worked incessantly for the downtrodden people for which he was well known as “Father of the poor”.

The funeral service of Bishop Peter Thuruthikonam held on 6th September, 2011, at the Diocesan Cathedral (Vimalagiri Marian Pilgrim Centre), Kottayam, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop Peter Thuruthikonam, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-24/2011

06-Sep-2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. Joseph Albert Rosario, Bishop Emeritus of Amravati.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With much regret and sadness, I inform you that Most Rev. Joseph Albert Rosario, MSFS, Bishop Emeritus of Amravati, passed away on 31st July, 2011. This 96 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 56 years with great dedication and intense pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Joseph Albert Rosario was born on 30th May, 1915 at Nagpur, Maharashra. He did his schooling from St. Francis de Sales School, Nagpur. He joined the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales and made his first Religious profession on 5th June, 1935 and was finally professed in 1938. He entered St. Charles’ Seminary, Nagpur, in 1935. He completed his B.A. while doing his regency at SFS School, Nagpur. After his Theology studies at St. Charles’ Seminary, he was ordained priest on 29th September, 1944. He also did his B.T. course at Jabalpur.

During his pastoral ministry he served as Prefect at the Apostolic School, Nagpur (1945); Acting Principal of SFS School, Nagpur (1947); Principal of St. John’s High School, Nagpur (1950-1952) and Principal of St. Francis de Sales School, Ucassaim, Goa (1952). With a view to keeping contacts and building relationships, he started SFS School Old Boys’ Association in Nagpur.

On 8th May, 1955, he was appointed First Bishop of the Diocese of Amravati and was ordained Bishop on 13th November, 1955. It was a challenge for Bishop Joseph to lead the new Diocese as he did not have much pastoral experience. He opened new Mission Stations at Bidkin, Vaijapur, Hingoli and reopened the closed Jalna Mission in 1960s. He also established Dayasagar Hospital at Amravati, Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre and Ish Sharan Hospital at Nimbhora, Jeevan Vikas Social Institute, Divya Sadan Social Centre and Asha Deep Deaf and Dumb School at Amravati. As an educationist, he started many schools in various parts of his Diocese and set up a Fransalian Technical Institute at Aurangabad.

Bishop Joseph’s most remarkable contribution to the Church was his contacts with people of other faiths. He encouraged the Focolare Movement and Inter-religious Dialogue. He tried to emulate the virtues of his patron, St. Francis de Sales and was called the ‘gentleman Bishop’ for his gentle and kind ways. Besides, his calmness rooted in charity and piety, his humility, availability, concern for the poor and weak, made him truly human.

Bishop Joseph Rosario was privileged to participate in four sessions of the Second Vatican Council. He retired on 12th May, 1995 at the age of 80.

He was a Pastor to the core of his being. Known as the ‘driving Bishop’ who steered his car even at the age of 94, he went around each and every part of his Diocese for his pastoral visits. Like a good shepherd who knows his sheep, he was often seen at centres, small or big, mingling with people and visiting their families for whom he became a source of inspiration and guidance. His love for missions and missionaries urged him to be in constant touch with one and all. By his life witness he was a true evangelizer. He was ever present when and where he was most needed – in the jail, in the hospital, in the leprosarium, in the school for the blind, among the deaf and dumb and among the poor and the needy.

Bishop Joseph believed that the one indispensable virtue to be an effective pastor was personal holiness which he achieved to a great extent with God’s grace.

The funeral service of Bishop Joseph Rosario held on 2nd August, 2011, at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Amravati, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop Joseph Rosario, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-25/2011

06-Sep-2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. Cornelius Elanjikal, Archbishop Emeritus of Verapoly.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and great sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. Cornelius Elanjikal, Archbishop Emeritus of Verapoly, passed away on 7th August, 2011. This 93 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 40 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Cornelius Elanjikal was born on 8th September, 1918 at Kara, Trichur, Kerala. After completing his schooling from Mount Carmel School, Kara and St. Albert’s Higher Secondary School, Ernakulam, he did his Seminary studies at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Aluva and Urbaniana Seminary, Rome. He obtained Doctorates in Hindu Philosophy in Upanishads as well as in Canon Law from the Propaganda College, Rome. On completion of his studies in Philosophy and Theology he was ordained priest on 18th March, 1945, in Rome.

During his pastoral ministry he served as Assistant Parish Priest at Mount Carmel Church, Chathiyath (1950) and at St. Francis Assisi Cathedral, Ernakulam (1954); Secretary to the late Archbishop Joseph Attipetty (1951); Rector of St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary (1956); Pro-Vicar General of the Archdiocese (1961) and Vicar Capitular (1970).

On 15th February, 1971 he was appointed Bishop of Vijayapuram and was ordained Bishop on 4th April, 1971. Subsequently, he was appointed Archbishop of Verapoly on 11th February, 1987 and was installed Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly on 19th March, 1987. He retired from the office on 5th August, 1996.

Archbishop Cornelius Elanjikal served the Church in India as President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) from 1989 to 1992 and as President of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRLCBC) from 1987 to 1996. He was a member of the CBCI Standing Committee for 9 years.

Archbishop Cornelius Elanjikal authored more than ten books and written hundreds of articles. His book ‘Concept of God in Upanishads’ was widely accepted by Hindu scholars. He was also a renowned poet and the author of more than five hundred Christian devotional songs in Malayalam. He was able to help very many people to turn to God through his powerful and meaningful lyrics, which were the result of his hard work and deep spiritual contemplation.

During his episcopal ministry both at Vijayapuram and Verapoly, his top priority was the work of evangelization and deepening of faith of his flock. He was able to maintain good relationship with the leaders of other religions. He was a friend of all, soft spoken and obliging, unassuming and kind. He always exuded human warmth in such a way that any one in his presence would feel at ease. He left an indelible mark of unflinching loyalty to the Church and its teachings. His deep love for the Church and the nation is praiseworthy. He was a man of God who spent his life for the uplift of the downtrodden people and communal amity.

The funeral service of Archbishop Cornelius Elanjikal held on 9th August, 2011, at the St. Francis Assisi Cathedral of Verapoly Archdiocese, Ernakulam, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Cornelius Elanjikal, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-23/2011

05-Sep-2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. Vincent Kympat, Bishop of Jowai.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and great sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. Vincent Kympat, Bishop of Jowai, passed away on 30th July, 2011. This 65 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 5 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. Vincent Kympat was born on 17th December, 1946 at Mawsutong (Tluh). He did his Seminary studies at St. Paul’s Seminary, Shillong and Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee. He was ordained priest on 23rd January, 1977.

During his pastoral ministry, he served as Assistant Parish Priest at Marbisu (1977); Parish Priest at Marbisu (1978) and Jowai (1983-1986 & 1989-1992). After his graduation in Education he specialized in Catechetics from the Salesianum in Rome (1986-1989). He was the Rector of Christ King College, Shillong (1993-1996); Assistant Parish Priest at Laban (1996-2005) and Director of Rympei ki Paidbah (2005-2006). He was appointed First Bishop of Jowai on 28th January, 2006 and was ordained Bishop on 2nd April, 2006.

Right at the outset of his episcopal ministry, Bishop Vincent Kympat had a very great challenge which he took up so enthusiastically. i.e. to make the local Church of Jowai more visible and the Catholic community more mature in faith. There were only 10 parishes with just 6 native diocesan priests. The number of Catholics were around 60,000. He had been in-charge of the movement ‘New Way of Being Church’ of the Shillong Archdiocese, with special emphasis on the formation of Small Christian Communities (SCCs). He had been also responsible for organizing the Assembly of the Church in the Archdiocese in the year 2000, which had drawn up a vision for the Church.

The core of his mission was to underline the indispensable role of the Word of God in the life of the faithful. This right emphasis bore much fruit through the formation of the SCCs as one can see today how the people feel conversant with God’s Word and the way they now base their lives and activities on it.

During his brief ministry, some new parishes have been erected; new groups of religious men and women have come to contribute to the mission with their different charisms and a Minor Seminary has been started in order to ensure steady growth of the local Church through the diocesan clergy. Furthermore, he was in the process of planning for a new Cathedral and the establishment of new communities of religious men and women.

He made consistent efforts to make the faithful work together to make the Diocese stand on its own feet both financially and with regard to people’s growth in the faith. He visited all the nooks and corners of the Diocese, sitting for hours with the lay leaders in order to make them understand the need to make their community a truly local Church. He certainly made headway in giving a renewed vision of the Church to his people.

Bishop Vincent Kympat had a big dream for the Jowai Diocese. Though there are still challenges in plenty, his dedication and the great work he has accomplished with God’s grace will make it easier for his collaborators and successors to continue the task for the growth of the Church.

The funeral service of Bishop Vincent Kympat held on 1st August, 2011, with the Funeral Mass at the Bishop’s House and the burial at the St. Theresa’s Church, Jowai, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop Vincent Kympat, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-22/2011

19-Aug-2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Subject: Death of Most Rev. William Leonard D’Mello, Bishop Emeritus of Karwar.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and great sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. William Leonard D’Mello, Bishop Emeritus of Karwar, passed away on 19th July, 2011. This 80 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 34 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. William D’Mello was born on 24th March, 1931, at Cascia in the Diocese of Mangalore. After his studies at the St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, he joined the Minor Seminary at Bangalore. He did his Philosophy and Theology studies at the St. Peter’s Major Seminary and was ordained priest on 6th April, 1957 for the Archdiocese of Bangalore.

During his pastoral ministry he served as Assistant to the then Vicar General of Bangalore; Asst. Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Church; Parish Priest at Doresanipalya; Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Church and at the same time Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. In 1972 when Archbishop D. Simon Lourdusamy was appointed Secretary of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (Propaganda Fide), Msgr. William D’Mello was unanimously elected as the Administrator of the Archdiocese. When Archbishop Arokiasamy took charge of the Archdiocese, Msgr. William was appointed Vicar General.

He was appointed the first Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Karwar in 1976 and was ordained Bishop on 29th April, 1977. With his rich pastoral experience and insights and being filled with the spirit of renewal of Vatican II Council, he began in earnest the building up of the Church in Karwar which was very much backward economically. True to his episcopal motto “Duc in altum” (Lk 5:4) he launched out into the deep both as regards spiritual and temporal matters in search of the lost. Like a good shepherd he visited every nook and corner of the Diocese even across the rivers and the sea. It was indeed love at first sight both for the Pastor and the flock!

Realizing the need for more Priests he began encouraging vocations to priesthood from within and outside the Diocese and being convinced of the need of Religious to take care of the welfare and education of women and children and specially family apostolate, he went about knocking at the door of various Religious Congregations pleading for more Sisters. As a result, there are at present more than a hundred Priests and above two hundred women Religious working in the Diocese.

Led by the Conciliar vision, he was very keen in undertaking the renewal of liturgy and faith formation particularly of children, youth and adults.

Bishop William was always available to anyone who sought his help. He succeeded in persuading the well-do-do people to share their wealth with the poor and he himself directly and through the Karwar Diocesan Development Council, Karwar Diocese Education Society and the Bala Pragathi Kendra Services, has helped innumerable children in the field of their education and health care, carried out relief works during floods and famine, took up building of houses for the shelterless and self-help programmes.

One of his outstanding achievements in the Diocese was the promotion of the Family Apostolate. His vision of ‘loving, serving, praying and witnessing family’, which is in keeping with the Church’s teaching on the Family as a domestic Church, was given a concrete shape by the Family Commission under his able guidance and encouragement. Its activities and programmes have been highly appreciated by other Dioceses of the Region.

Finally his cross, his prolonged illness which he has borne patiently and always with a smile, instead of being an obstacle to his Mission as a Pastor, has been his greatest spiritual asset and a source of God’s innumerable blessings on his works and consequently on his Diocese.

After zealously shepherding the diocese for nearly 30 years, Bishop William D’Mello retired on 24th February, 2007. Ever since his retirement he was residing at Sandhya Vandan, a senior clergy home, till a week before he left for his eternal abode.

The funeral service of Bishop William D’Mello held on 21st July, 2011, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption, Karwar, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop William D’Mello, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-21/2011

06-Jul-2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub: Death of Most Rev. John Perumattam, MST, Bishop Emeritus of Ujjain.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

With deep regret and great sorrow, I inform you that Most Rev. John Perumattam, Bishop Emeritus of Ujjain, passed away on 18th June, 2011. This 89 year old Prelate exercised his episcopal ministry for 34 years with much dedication and great pastoral zeal.

Most Rev. John Perumattam was born on 3rd November, 1921, at Kakkoor in Kerala. On completion of his higher secondary education in 1942, he joined the St. Thomas Minor Seminary, Chaganacherry, in June of the same year. After his philosophical and theological studies he was ordained priest on 11th March, 1951. Six months later he was sent to Rome for higher studies. He obtained a Doctorate in Church and Civil Law (JDU) from St. John Lateran University in 1956.

After his return to India, he served the Diocese of Palai in different capacities: as Procurator, Professor, Vice-Rector and Spiritual Father. In 1968 he became Rector of the Good Shepherd Minor Seminary. After his committed service for the Church in Kerala for a period of 12 years, he proceeded to Ujjain in 1968 to take up the leadership of the missionary team which intended to work for the development of the area comprising of Ujjain, Shajapur and Rajgarh Districts. On 22nd February, 1968 a pious union was created as The Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle (MST) and Fr. John Perumattam was appointed as its first Director General.

On 28th July, 1968 Pope Paul VI erected the Apostolic Exarchate of Ujjain and appointed Mgr. John Perumattam Apostolic Exarch of Ujjain. On 26th February, 1977 the Apostolic Exarchate was elevated to Eparchy/Diocese and Mgr. John Perumattam was appointed its first Bishop and was ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Ujjain on 15th May, 1977. Since then Bishop John Perumattam with the help of a few Priests and Religious Sisters undertook the great challenge of the missionary work in these areas. As a zealous pastor he was committed to work for the upliftment of the poor, to care for the sick and to ensure basic education to the totally illiterate people. For the past 42 years he spent his entire life and energy in Ujjain by proving knowledge and motivation, service and love for the people.

In the field of social development Bishop John Perumattam started schools, hospitals, dispensaries, boardings and old age homes keeping in mind the social, economic and educational progress of the area. The only solace for the local people at that time was the St. Mary’s Convent School, Ujjain, which provided only primary education. Realizing that illiteracy was the root cause of most of the existing social evils, he started primary, middle, high schools and balwadies in each district and tehsil of the diocese. With a view to restoring health and hygiene, he started three hospitals and many dispensaries in the Malwa region. In order to uplift the financially backward youth and to enable them to achieve technical skills and stand on their own feet, he established technical training centers in Ujjain.

Another milestone in the pioneering social work of Bishop John Perumattam was the formation of the ‘Kripa Social Welfare Society’, which through its widespread network today, stands as a great monument of social reformation and educational transformation.

Bishop John is always remembered with deep gratitude by thousands of people for his utmost concern and care for the weaker sections of society for whom he started another organization called ‘Madhya Pradesh Vikalang Sahayatha Samiti’, which was intended to look after the disabled people, both mentally and physically challenged. Today, there are 14 such centers spread over the three districts of Ujjain, Shajapur and Rajgarh that witness the farsightedness and preferential love of Bishop John Perumattam for the differently abled people.

As a good shepherd, Bishop John was devoted to the wellbeing of the poor and marginalized, specially of those dwelling in the rural areas and deprived of the basic facilities of life. With his good example, he would inspire, create awareness and motivate people around to become ever more sensitive towards the poor and the disabled in society.

The funeral service of Bishop John Perumattam held on 21st June, 2011, at the Cathedral Church of Ujjain, was largely attended by several Bishops, hundreds of priests, religious and lay faithful. May God of Mercies grant this zealous Pastor and faithful servant of the Church eternal bliss and heavenly reward!

You are kindly requested to offer one Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Bishop John Perumattam, late CBCI member.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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CBCI-Gen/Cir-20/2011

21-Jun-2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIERARCHY

Sub: Rev. Fr. James Thoppil appointed Bishop of Kohima.

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

In light of the Statement received from the Apostolic Nunciature, I am greatly pleased to inform you that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Rev. Fr. James Thoppil, Rector of OriensTheologicalCollege, as the new Bishop of Kohima.

This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome, on Thursday, 16th June, 2011, at noon local time, corresponding to 15:30 hours, Indian Standard Time.

The Bishop-elect James Thoppil was born on 12th May, 1959 at Neezhoor, Kerala. After his primary and high school studies in Kerala, he joined the St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Dibrugarh, Assam in 1974. Subsequently, he did his Philosophy at the Christ King College, Shillong (1977-1980) and after his Regency he did his Theology at the Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong (1982-1986) after which he was ordained priest on 12th January, 1986.

He obtained B. A. from the St. Anthony’s College, Shillong (1978-1980) and B. A. (Hons) from the Manipur University, Imphal (1989). He holds also three M. A. degrees in Political Science, in Philosophy and Religion and in Sociology from M. K. University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He proceeded to Rome for his higher ecclesiastical studies in 1994 and obtained a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, with specialization in Ecclesiology.

During his priestly ministry he served as Dean of Studies at the Good Shepherd Seminary, Dimapur (1986-1990); Parish Priest and Principal of the Holy Cross Church and School, Dimapur (1990-1994); Secretary of the Nagaland Association of Catholic Schools (1990-1994); Dean of Studies, Registrar, Prefect of Discipline and Professor at the Oriens Theological College, Shillong (1999-2005); Secretary of Northeast Diocesan Priests’ Forum for Theological Reflection (NEDPFTR) (1999-2004); Parochial Vicar of St. Felicitas Church, San Leandro, CA, USA (2006-2007). He was the Editor of ‘Sharing: The News Bulletin of the Diocese of Kohima’ (1986-1990) and Managing Editor of Oriens Journal for Contextual Theology since 2010. From 2008 he was Rector at the Oriens Theological College, Shillong, which post he occupied at the time of his appointment as the Bishop of Kohima.

We extend to Most Rev. James Thoppil, our hearty congratulations and wish him all the very best in his new mission as Bishop of Kohima and assure him of our prayers and wholehearted collaboration with regard to his Diocese.

With warm personal regards and every good wish,

Yours sincerely,

Fr. Thomas d’Aquino Sequeira

Dy. Secretary General, CBCI

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