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MGOCSM Diaspora Secretariat Inauguration
Posted on Monday, July 24 @ 02:02:40 CDT by admin |
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By the grace of the God Almighty, MGOCSM Diaspora Ssecretariat was inaugurated on 15th July 2006 at Nagpur by H.G. Philipos Mar Eusebius, President of the MGOCSM of India, in the presence of H.G. Stephanos Mar Theodosius (Metropolitan of Kolkata Diocese) and H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos (Vice-President, MGOCSM & Metropolitan of Mumbai Diocese). Fr. Philip Kuruvilla , currently serving as the Consultant on HIV and AIDS to the Christian Conference of Asia, and nominated as the Director of the new Secretariat, which was to be based in Nagpur, co-ordinated the proceedings, ably helped by Fr Bijesh Philip. The General Secretary of MGOCSM, Fr. Dr. V. M. Abraham was also present on this historic occasion, which covered two days of programmes.
Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew, Principal, St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary , Nagpur and most of the staff and students were part of the programmes, as were other eminent members of the clergy like Fr. Dr. Abraham Oommen, (Secretary of Kolkota Diocese and Director of the MP Christian College of Engineering and Technology), stalwarts of the MGOCSM, both past (“Senior Friends”) and present from all Dioceses- including the Gulf Countries- and well wishers from the host Cathedral in Nagpur. Many of those who came were those who had been present at the Seminar in Goa (2004) and the meeting at Aravali (Delhi, 2005) where the seeds of the idea of a Secretariat had germinated, and to prove that this Secretariat was not created in a vacuum , but after serous thought and planning.
Some Pictures of the Nagpur Meeting
The morning of the 15th began with a Seminar, held in the Pallottine Animation Centre, Nagpur, where panel discussions brought out the highs and lows of the MGOCSM movement Outside Kerala. The Metropolitans also addressed the burning issues and problems of those who had long been overlooked by the Church in Kerala . H.G. Mar Eusebius –ever the church historian- took the delegates down memory lane into the history and role of MGOCSM in the life of the Church. Fr. Dr. V. M. Abraham described and elucidated the present situation of the MGOCSM, followed by Fr. Philip Kuruvilla, who highlighted the challenges of the Diaspora Secretariat and explained the role it would have to play in the future. This Panel discussion was moderated by Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew who reminded those present of the similarities with the diaspora situation which existed in the time of the early Church of the apostles.
In the second Panel, delegates from various dioceses shared their experiences and opinions on “What the youth missed in the last 2 or 3 decades”, moderated by Mr. John Jesudasan. A clergyman later told the audience that he –as part of the church’s administration - was ashamed at the neglect of this group of people in the church in the last few decades. Group discussions followed on “What the youth missed”, “What we expect”, “Planning and administration” & “Future programs” all about the Diaspora Secretariat followed after lunch. The mix of clergy and laity, and their interactions were a joy to behold.
At tea time the seminar was adjourned to go to the - very centrally situated - new office of the Diaspora Secretariat for the “Koodasha”. This brief but beautiful liturgical office (specially composed by Fr. Ninan George of the Nagpur Seminary), was led by the Metropolitans and joined by the delegates. The Public Inauguration of the Secretariat was conducted at a grand function the same evening, held at St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Nagpur under the chairmanship of H. G Mar Theodosius after Evening Prayers. H. G. Mar Eusebius officially inaugurated the Secretariat while the Chief Guest for the evening was His Excellency Dr. Abraham Viruthakulangara, Catholic Archbishop of Nagpur. The General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India, Rt Rev. Dr. D. K. Sahu, was also present to inaugurate the Souvenir brought out on the occasion. A prayer book, “Sojourn with the Saviour” by Fr. Bijesh Philip of the Nagpur Seminary, was released by HG Mar Eusebius.
The morning of the 16th saw HG Mar Eusebius celebrating the Holy Qurbana in English. Soon after the Seminar came into its final stages. Tthe concluding session saw detailed descriptions on how a core committee would be called upon to work till each Diocesan Metropolitan nominated a Group to represent his Diocese, which would be the “Diaspora Council”, from which again a smaller “Working Group” would be formed, which would be the body who, in conjunction with the Diocesan Metropolitans, would guide the functioning of this Secretariat. The presence of the President and the General Secretary of MGOCSM put a seal of approval on all the proceedings, and made this another historic step in 100 years of the Movement which came into existence in 1907.
While thanking the Metropolitans and delegates, Fr Philip Kuruvilla said the inauguration of the Secretariat was only the beginning of a long journey the Movement had yet to make, but it would give hope to many in the Church who long felt neglected. More than that , it would affect the lives of millions of young Orthodox people- many of who would perhaps never step into the office of the Secretariat- but whose lives would be transformed by it.
Some Pictures of the Nagpur Meeting
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