Kochi: “The Church keeps the youth very close to her heart,” says Cardinal George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He was speaking at the launch of national year plan for 2017 for the Syro Malabar Youth Movement (SMYM) on April 24 at the Major Archbishop House in Ernakulam,Kerala.

Founded in 2011, SMYM is the official youth movement of Syro Malabar Catholic Church and has branches all over the world .

The cardinal said that a disciplined and enthusiastic ministry will make it possible to bring together young scattered all over the world and provide them with spiritual guidance and leadership, which is much needed for the church of today.

Secretary of SMYM Fr. Sebastian Kaipanplackal ,Sr. Akhila and other office bearers of SMYM spoke on the occasion.