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The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Greening programmes mark World Environment Day celebrations in Kochi
Planting of saplings, setting up of mini forests and green islets marked World Environment Day celebrations held in Ernakulam on Thursday. At a programme held in the headquarters of the Varapuzha Archdiocese here, Archbishop of Varapuzha Joseph Kalathiparambil handed over saplings of vetiver to Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar. The saplings will be planted at the dumping site of the civic body at Brahmapuram, where biomining was carried out to remove waste heaps, according to a release issued here. The Mayor also inaugurated the clean-up and environmental initiatives of the Varapuzha Archdiocese on the occasion. The Maradu municipal authorities initiated works to set up a green islet comprising fruit trees to mark Environment Day celebrations. It was set up up near the material collection facility near the 16th division in the municipality. Antony Ashanparambil, chairperson, planted various fruit tree saplings. District Collector N.S.K Umesh inaugurated the green islet project at nearly four cents on the civil station premises at Kakkanad by planting saplings. Traditional fruit trees will be planted at the site as part of the joint project involving the district administration, Haritha Keralam Mission, Thrikkakara municipality and Rotary Club. 'Changathikkoru Maram' (a tree for a friend) project was inaugurated at the Don Bosco Senior Secondary School here as part of a programme organised by the Haritha Keralam Mission and the Kochi Corporation. Students exchanged tree saplings as part of the green initiative. 'YouCanHeal', a dashboard app by students of computer applications and recognised by the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Kochi Corporation, was launched at a programme held at the St. Teresa's College here. The theme of the event, organised by the Bhoomitra Sena Club, Department of Zoology and NSS Unit 41, was 'Beat Plastic Pollution and Promote Renewable Energy'.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Archbishop of Varapuzha reminisces Pope Leo XIV's Kerala visits
Going back in time by over two decades, the Archbishop of Varapuzha Joseph Kalathiparambil reminisced the new Pope Leo XIV's Kerala visits in 2004 and 2006. While in Kerala, he stood out by opting for a simple lifestyle, empathising much with the poor and the marginalised and by his missionary zeal. Hence, I hope his elevation as the Pope will be as successful as that of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025. The Archdiocese of Varapuzha wishes him heartfelt and prayerful regards, the Archbishop told mediapersons here on Friday. As head of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA), also known as the Augustinian Order, he did commendable mission work, including in Latin America, he said. He narrated how the new Pope visited Augustinian priests in Kerala and also dedicated priests when Daniel Acharuparambil was the Varapuzha Archbishop in 2004, at St. Francis Church in Kaloor. Furthermore, he visited the archdiocesan headquarters in 2006. Churches under the archdiocese will offer special prayers when he assumes charge as the Pope, the Archbishop said. On peace On the mounting threats to peace in many countries, he commemorated late Pope Francis as one who strove for global peace. He directly met global leaders and also communicated with them over phone to end violence. Pope Leo too will hopefully do the same. The ongoing India-Pakistan standoff too can be overcome by persistent efforts and through prayers. Weapons are meant for destruction and hence must give way to peace efforts. To a question on why late Pope Francis did not visit India, the Archbishop said he was very keen to visit India. But it did not work out. He would have come if he had been welcomed officially, I presume, he added. In the meantime, Fr. Wilson Injarapu, the Vicar Superior of the Vicariate of India within the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA), told The Hindu that he had met the new Pope in February at a meeting in Rome. Having visited our 'communities' in India and also having stayed at the Provincial House in Aluva more than once, he spoke of the natural beauty that Kerala has and of the congregations, Fr. Injarapu said.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pope Francis: A bridge-builder vexed by fissures
Pope Francis often surprised the world by breaking Vatican traditions. He elevated several men from remote corners of the world to the rank of cardinal—the highest position in the Catholic Church after the Pope. During his 12-year tenure, he reshaped the pastoral direction of Kerala's three self-governing Churches—Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara—through key appointments of archbishops and bishops, along with timely guidance to clergy and believers. In 2016, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Joseph Kalathiparambil—then secretary of the Vatican's pontifical council for the pastoral care of migrants and itinerant people—as archbishop of Verapoly. In Kerala's Latin Church hierarchy, Pope Francis picked all three archbishops, including those of Trivandrum and the newly-formed Calicut archdiocese, as well as most of the bishops. He also appointed many archbishops and bishops in Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches. Pope Francis had to step in during a tense period in Syro-Malabar Church , the second-largest of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches. When the synod of bishops faced protests from some clergy and laity over financial allegations and property issues at Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese—the seat of the major archbishop—the matter reached the Holy See. Eventually, the Vatican removed Cardinal Mar George Alencherry from his role as major archbishop. In Aug 2021, Syro-Malabar Church's synod ordered a uniform Holy Mass across its 35 eparchies. But clergy and laity in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese resisted, insisting on continuing the people-facing Mass, a practice adopted after the Second Vatican Council. Even a video appeal from the Pope failed to change their stand. Protests turned violent at St. Mary's Basilica in Ernakulam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Was Beautiful, Now Its Hard To Look At Her Crowdy Fan Undo Pope Francis worked hard to strengthen ecumenical ties with various Orthodox Christian Churches. He led key meetings with Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem-II of Antioch, head of Syrian Orthodox Church, who recently consecrated a Catholicos for Malankara Jacobite Church in Lebanon. He also invited the Catholicos of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, based in Kottayam. In Nov 2024, a delegation of eight bishops from the synod of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church met him at the Vatican. Pope Francis, the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula, played a key role in building bridges between the Christian and Islamic worlds. He signed the Declaration of Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi. His strong stand against the 'madness of war' and the destruction in Gaza won widespread support, especially from Kerala's peace-loving Muslim community. In Dec 2024, he hosted Sivagiri Mutt's centenary commemoration of Sree Narayana Guru's historic all-religion conference at the Vatican, praising Kerala's tradition of religious harmony. (Chief editor, Jeevanaadam)
