KOCHI: The Canons passed by the Synod of Diamper (Udayamperoor) 418 years ago deeply impacted not only the Christians in Kerala but other communities as well, observed Shashi Tharoor MP. He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a two-day seminar organised jointly by the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) Heritage Commission, Kerala Latin Catholic History Association and the John Ochanthuruth Memorial Academy of History here on Friday.
“The Synod is an excellent example of how great changes can be effected in society through focused collaborative thinking,” Tharoor said.“It was a milestone in pre-figuring the renaissance of the 19th century, though the Synod had its negatives. The Synod of Diamper is an intellectually and socially relevant topic even now, though loss of history caused by the burning of books is one of the negative sides.”
Inaugurated by Kerala History Association president K L Mohana Varma, the seminar was attended by more than 200 academics from various parts of the country. Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly Joseph Kalathi -parambil, who presided over the function, said the Synod brought a renewal in the spiritual, social, moral and cultural spheres of society and the Kerala Church. Archbishop Patriarch of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrao, delivered the keynote address on Archbishop Alexis Menezes’ 400th death anniversary. The Synod of Diamper, held between June 20 and 26, 1599, was convened by the then Portuguese Governor and Archbishop of Goa Alexis de Menezes.
National Integration Council of India member John Dayal, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture chancellor Jetti Alfred Oliver, KRLCC Heritage Commission chairman Bishop Alex Vadakumthala, KRLCC Heritage Commission secretary Antony Pattaparambil Abraham Arackal, Vilma John and Lilly George spoke.