Kochi, July 20, 2020: The Syro-Malabar Church has a new center in Rome to serve its faithful and coordinate activities in the eternal city.
Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, the vicar general Pope Francis for the diocese of Rome, issued a decree on July 8 to hand over Santa Anastasia Minor Basilica in Rome, one of oldest minor basilicas in the world, to the Syro Malabar Church.
Father Abraham Kavilpurayidathil, Public Relations Officer of Syro-Malabar Church, says the decree allows a new arrangement for the pastoral care of the Syro Malabar Catholics living within the territories of the diocese of Rome.
Cardinal George Alencherry, major archbishop of the Church, will designate a priest as the chaplain of Syro Malabar Catholics. The basilica will be henceforth the center of the pastoral activities of the Syro Malabar Catholics in Rome, Father Kavilpurayidathil says in a press release on July 20.
The Syro-Malabar bishops requested the Pope for such as church during their visit in 2019. “It is the special interest of the Holy Father that has made it possible,” the priest explained.
Father Kavilpurayidathil also acknowledged the efforts of Bishop Stephen Chirappanath, the procurator of the Major Archbishop in Rome and the Apostolic Visitator in Europe and his colleagues for speedy implementation of the request.
Constantine who was Roman emperor during 306 to 337 AD started the construction in 325. Until the end of the 7th century Popes celebrated their Christmas Masses in the basilica. Built in the baroque style, the church is famous for its architectural splendor and decorative works.
It was in this church that Rome’s nearly 7,000 Syro-Malabar Catholics of the Santhom parish Rome were holding their services from 2011. The set-up will go a long way in the smooth coordination of their spiritual and pastoral activities, Father Kavilpurayidathil added,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/19/keralas-syro-malabar-church-gets-santa-anastasia-basilica-church-in-rome-2172003.html