Latest news with #KeralaCatholicBishops'Council
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
KCBC condemns brutal assault on priests in Odisha
Kochi: The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) condemned the incident where two Malayali priests, including a 90-year-old elderly priest, were brutally assaulted at a boys' hostel in Charwatiya, Sambalpur district, Odisha. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now KCBC stated that the those who targeted the priests on a day when the students were on vacation, carried out the assault as part of a religious extremist agenda to intimidate and expel them. Early on May 23, the attackers broke into the priests' residence, tied them up, brutally beat them for hours and committed robbery. They also threatened to return if the priests did not vacate the place, KCBC reported. KCBC stated that the authorities were taking a stance that protects the criminals. Despite widespread protests, the govt systems have adopted an approach that supports anti-Christian moves, without engaging in impartial legal actions, which is a blatant violation of constitutional and human rights. The repeated hostile actions against Christians, who have made significant contributions to the cultural and educational progress of the state, is a serious issue. Effective intervention by the central govt is urgently needed. The Odisha govt should ensure exemplary punishment for the attackers who brutally assaulted the priests and take preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future, KCBC urged. Fr Leenus Puthanveetil, who was attacked and is under treatment at a hospital in Manjummal, said the attackers put a knife against his neck before slapping him and tying him up. His fellow priest was brutally beaten by the attackers in front of him, he said in a video message.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
KCBC Jagratha Commission condemns attack on Catholic priests in Odisha, urges immediate government action
The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) Jagratha Commission has issued a strong statement condemning the brutal assault on two Catholic priests, including a 90-year-old Malayali priest, in Sambalpur district, Odisha. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 23 at a boys' hostel in Charbatiya, where assailants allegedly broke into the priests' residence, tied them up, physically assaulted them for several hours, and looted the premises. The attackers reportedly issued threats, warning the priests to vacate the area or face further violence. The students of the hostel were on vacation at the time of the attack. In a statement issued by the Commission, Chairman Bishop Dr. Yuhanon Mar Theodosius condemned the attack and expressed concern over what he described as a "deliberate, targeted action driven by religious extremism." The statement also alleged that authorities initially failed to respond effectively, accusing them of adopting a stance that shielded the perpetrators despite public outrage. The Commission highlighted the longstanding contributions of Catholic religious communities and missionaries in Odisha's tribal and rural regions, particularly in the fields of healthcare and education. It noted that over 1.2 million Christians reside in Odisha, many of them economically disadvantaged, and emphasized the need to protect their constitutional and human rights.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Diocese of Calicut elevated to archdiocese; Mar Varghese Chakkalakal ordained first archbishop
KOZHIKODE: In a momentous ceremony, the Diocese of Calicut, a key spiritual hub of the Catholic Church in Malabar, was officially elevated to the status of an archdiocese, with Rev Dr Varghese Chakkalakal ordained as its first archbishop. The ceremony on Sunday, held in the courtyard of St Joseph's Church, Kozhikode, was attended by thousands of faithful and dignitaries. The proclamation and ordination ceremony was led by Dr Leo Pauldo Girelli, the apostolic nuncio to India. The decree, announcing the elevation and appointment of the archbishop, was solemnly read in Latin, English, and Malayalam during the initial phase of the Mass, marking the historic transformation of the diocese. Mar Chakkalakal publicly pledged his allegiance to the Church before the apostolic nuncio, who represented the Vatican, and the gathered congregation, officially assuming his responsibilities as metropolitan archbishop. Among those gathered to witness the ecclesiastical landmark were bishops from across the state, besides priests and nuns of various orders. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), offered the homily and conveyed his blessings to the new archbishop and the archdiocese. Archbishop Dr Andrews Thazhath of Thrissur extended warm congratulations, highlighting Mar Chakkalakal's prior service as bishop of both Kannur and Kozhikode. Archbishop Dr Thomas J Netto of Thiruvananthapuram voiced hope for a church that serves as a 'shepherd of hope' amid global crises.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Varghese Chakkalakal installed as Kozhikode Archbishop
The Calicut Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church was elevated to the status of an archdiocese, and Bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal was installed as its first Metropolitan Archbishop at a solemn religious congregation witnessed by hundreds of faithful on Sunday (May 25). The official order installing him as archbishop was read out at a formal event hosted on the compound of St. Joseph's Church in Kozhikode in the evening. Apostolic Nuncio and Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli led the ritualistic archdiocesan proclamation ceremony and solemn Mass which began at 3 p.m. Bishops from various dioceses, priests, and laymen were present to witness the major ecclesiastical event. The dignitaries from various dioceses invited to be part of the ceremonies included president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop Thomas J. Netto from Thiruvananthapuram, Mar Joseph Pamplany from Thalassery, Bishop Alex Vadakumthala from Kannur. Public Works Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas, M.K. Raghavan, MP, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph, former Minister M.K. Muneer and Mayor Beena Philip were also among those who extended their greetings on the occasion. It was on April 12, 2025, that the official order on the elevation of the Calicut diocese to archdiocese came from Rome. Expressing delight over the elevation, Archbishop Chakkalakkal had described it as an Easter gift from Pope Francis. The installation ceremony was postponed for over a month following the departure of the Pope on April 21. Archbishop Chakkalakal was elevated to the post considering his decades of pastoral experience. He was ordained a priest in 1981 and became the first Bishop of Kannur diocese in 1998. He took charge as the Bishop of Calicut diocese in 2012. He served as secretary general of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. Chakkalakkal was also instrumental in the planning and implementation of several charitable activities for the poor. A diocesan communication said the ecclesiastical and social outreach efforts in the Malabar region would gain greater strength and wider reach with the formation of the new archdiocese encompassing Kozhikode, Kannur and Sultanpet.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Elevation of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Calicut on May 25
The formal elevation of the Diocese of Calicut to the status of Metropolitan Archdiocese and the installation of Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal as the first Metropolitan Archbishop will be held at St. Joseph's Church here at 3 p.m. on May 25. Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Leopoldo Girelli will officiate the Eucharistic celebration. Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council president Baselios Cardinal Cleemis will deliver the homily on the occasion, a press release said. Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Conference of Catholic Bishops of India president Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church Mar Raphael Thattil, Archbishop of Hyderabad Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Major Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal George Alencherry, Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly Joseph Kalathiparambil, Metropolitan Archbishop of Trichur and Catholic Bishops' Conference of India president Mar Andrews Thazhath, and Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram Thomas J. Netto will offer felicitations. The Calicut Diocese was elevated to Archdiocese, and Bishop Chakkalakal was named Archbishop following the papal decree announced on April 12. Kozhikode will become the third Latin Catholic archdiocese in Kerala, joining Varapuzha and Thiruvananthapuram. The Archdiocese of Calicut will have Kannur and Sultanpet as its suffragan dioceses.
