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Syro-Malabar Synod to work for communal harmony

By Our Special Correspondent

KOCHI Nov. 15. The Syro-Malabar Synod, which concluded its two-week session here today, urged the people to be watchful against fundamentalists and work earnestly for communal harmony.

The synod, which began its meeting under the presidentship of Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil on November 3, discussed ecclesiastical life and the problems the Church and society were facing today.

The synod expressed its concerns about the anti-life tendencies like abortion, murder, violence, etc. and observed that these were destroying the present day society and urged believers to come out strongly against these "evils''.

The synod has decided to hold the next Major Archi-Episcopal assembly from November to 5, 2004. Bishops and representatives of priests, the religious and laity of every Syro-Malabar Eparchy would take part in the assembly.

The synod seriously considered the challenges that the educational field is facing now. The subject will be discussed in great detail during the coming assembly.

The synod gave shape to schemes that would bring about changes in priestly formation to suit contemporary requirements. It was also decided to simplify canonical procedures to facilitate time-bound decisions on cases relating to marital disputes that eparchial tribunals receive.

Since environmental pollution was becoming life threatening, the synod decided that the Church should envisage creative programmes for environmental protection. The synod proposed that steps should be taken at the diocesan and parish levels to actively promote renewal energies like biogas, gobargas, solar energy, windmill, micro hydels, etc.

In the Catechetical field, the synod decided to prepare texts that take into account the new requirements. Textbooks for the first three classes would be ready before the next catechetical year opens.

The synod discussed steps to address the pastoral needs of the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Gulf countries.

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