The archdiocese of Verapoly has another reason to cheer on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. Adding yet another milestone to its glorious history, the archdiocese is going to hold a Synod after 100 long years.
Archbishop Francis Kallarackal made a declaration in this regard at a public meeting held at the archdiocese headquarters on Sunday.
“The preparatory phase for conducting the Synod is on. The dates are yet to be fixed as many arrangements have to be done prior to the Synod,” vicar general Alex Vadakumthala said.
The focus of the Synod will be on issues pertaining to the social cause, he said.
“The thrust will be on environmental issues which have become the need of the day. ‘Eduvision 2020’, a scheme for education initiated by the Archdiocese, will be given more impetus in the synod,” Alex said.
The Synods were held three times in the history of the Archdiocese.
They were held at Manjummal in April, 1889, at Varapuzha in April, 1893 and in December, 1896.
The Church is looking forward to the Synod as the previous three Synods, focused on social development, were instrumental in bringing about several progressive changes in society.
“Pallikkoodams, which were later developed into full-fledged schools across the state under the archdiocese of Verapoly, were the results of earlier Synods. Fifty years have passed after the second Vatican Council.
Former archbishop Leonard Mellano of Verapoly archdiocese, who attended the first Vatican Council years ago, played a prominent role in holding the three Synods,” Alex said.
“On the instruction of former Archbishop Bernard Bachinelly the earlier Synods asked all churches under the archdiocese to open schools with immediate effect. Thus so many pallikkoodams were opened across the state,” he said.
The prominent schools opened in response to earlier synods are St Joseph’s School, Kochi, (estd 1880), St Joseph’s School for Girls, Alappuzha, (1883), St Teresa’s School, Ernakulam, (1881), St Albert’s School, Ernakulam, (1892) to name a few.
The Church officials said that though they had contemplated on holding a Synod on several occasions, it could not be materialised.