Thrissur: The fourth edition of the Major Archiepiscopal Assembly of the Syro-Malabar Churches (SMC) will be held at the Sahrdaya College, Kodakara from August 25 to 28.
Addressing a joint Press conference here on August 16 Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath of Trichur and Bishop Mar Pauly Kannukkadan of Irinjalakuda and SMC official spokesman Father Jimmy Poochakkat said the assembly is held every five years after the elevation of the Syro-Malabar church into major archiepiscopal status, and it was for the first time the assembly is being held outside the headquarters in Kochi.
The assembly will be attended by 515 delegates , from the different dioceses of the SMC from within the country and outside, and they will include 50 bishops, 175 priests, 70 nuns and 220 persons representing the laity.
The SMC officials said simplicity in life , witness in family life, and mission of the migrants from Kerala will be the main themes to be debated at the assembly, The Times of India reported.
The assembly will begin with the concelebrated mass to be led by SMC major archbishop Cardinal George Alanchery. The Vatican representative in India Salvatore Pinokio, president of Latin hierarchy archbishop Mar M Soosa Pakiam and acting chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Justice Cyriac Joseph will be among those who will be attending the inaugural session.
Major archbishop of Syro-Malankara Church Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos and the bishops from other Church Rites in the country will also be addressing the delegates during different sessions of the assembly.
Justice Kurien Joseph of the Supreme Court will give the concluding message of the assembly on August 29.