Souvenir Committee on the Episcopal Consecration and Installation of Archbishop designate Thomas Netto on 19th March 2022…

 

19.02.2022:

Souvenir Committee

on the Episcopal Consecration and Installation

of Archbishop designate Thomas Netto on 19^th March 2022…

1.      Frs. Michael Thomas, 2. Lenin Fernandez, 3. Deepak Anto, 4. Daniel, 5. Sudheesh, 6. Alex, 7. Fredy Joy, 8. Varghese and 9. Pancretius

The above members were proposed by the Presbyterium for the above purpose held on …………, in my absence and the above team held its first meaning on 15.02.’22.

The members present were Frs. 1. Michael Thomas, 2. Lenin Fernandez, 3. Deepak Anto, 4. Daniel, 5. Sudheesh, 6. Varghese and 7. Pancretius.

In the above meeting, Pancretius was proposed to be its Convenor.

Thereafter the meeting thought of co-opting few more members, preferably laity and religious, both men and women. Accordingly the following members were suggested:

1.      Mr. Berguman Thomas, 2. Dr. Zeena Felix, 3. Ms. Sindhu Maria Napolean, 4. Fr. Saji SJ and 5. Sr. Swapna or the one the Handmaids of Hope suggest.

On contacting the above members, the first three agreed, while the fourth one excused himself due to his teaching engagement and the final stage of his research. The Handmaids of Hope suggested Sr. Diana, the superior as their choice.

For the meeting on 18^th March, the following members were present:

Frs.1. Michael Thomas, 2. Lenin Fernandez, 3. Deepak Anto, 4. Daniel, 5. Sudheesh, 6. Varghese and 7. Dr. Zeena Felix, 8. Mr. Berguman Thomas, 9. Sr. Diana and 10. Pancretius.

In this meeting, Pancretius was proposed to be the editor with two sub-editors in the persons of Dr. Zeena Felix, and Mr. Berguman Thomas.

The content and presentability of the ‘Souvenir’ was discussed seriously and it was agreed upon to be a serious and worthy document on the event as well as the history and tradition of the archdiocese. Accordingly the following topics were suggested to be dealt with by the persons given against them.

-          Diocesan contribution to Nation building and other social development endeavours [in the context of ISRO, Titanium, Airport, Vizhinjam Mother Port etc.] – Dr. Sasi Tharoor, MP, Thiruvananathapuram

-           Write ups based on the interview held with outgoing and incoming bishops and the auxiliary bishop. [Questions need to be prepared in advance and approved by the team and given to the bishops concerned beforehand…]

o   With Abp. Packiam – A retrospective on the past 32 years… - Fr. Lenin Fernandez, Mr. Bergu and Fr. Daniel

o   With Abp. Designate Thomas Netto – A future oriented vision and mission, especially in the context of the forthcoming centenary of the erection of the diocese in 1937 - Dr. Zeena Felix, Pancretius and Fr. Sudheesh

o   With Auxiliary bishop Christudas – Episcopacy without power...!

-          Our contribution in the socio-cultural and political history of Travancore-Kerala, highlighting Vizhinjam-Kanthalloorshala, the ‘thurakayattam’ of the widows of the ‘ettuveettu Pillamar’ and their men…, the Anchuthengu rebellion and the controversy connected with it etc. – Anil Kumar teacher

-          Missionary Contribution in the reformation and renovation of Travancore-Kerala, especially in medical, educational and other fields – Dr. Raymon

-          Contribution in educational institution by the diocese… - Terry Eugine teacher and Dr. Zeena Felix

-          The ministries and responsibilities the archbishop designate undertook in his life and ministry… - in collaboration with the ‘Jeevanum Velichavum’

-          Our contribution in the educational and literary field – Dr. Iris Koileo

-          …………. In the arts and sports field – Mr Reegan, Poovar and team..

-          Fisher people, especially fisherwomen empowerment…. – Ms Sindhu Maria Napolean

-          Participatory church and decentralization initiatives in the diocese, Living in together in 1987, BCC etc… - Fr. James Culas and Michael Thomas

-          How would you, as a literary figure, assess the episcopacy of Abp. Pakiam for the past three decades? – Dr. George Onakkoor

-          How would you, as a political thinker, assess the episcopacy of Abp. Pakiam for the past three decades? Mr Binoy Viswam

-          How would you, as a politician, people’s representative and now a minister and more so as a member of the diocese, assess the episcopacy of Abp. Pakiam for the past three decades? – Mr Antony Raju

-          Priestly formation and the diocesan minor Seminary in our changing and challenging times – Fr. Andrew Cosmos

-          Diocesan initiatives, especially the US mission, Nuh Mission, Handmaids of Hope etc… - Fr. Gerard Silva, Raju B. Selvaraj, Sr. Diana

-          Humour, poetry, cartoons etc…

 

 

21.02.’22:

Questionnaire:

1.      It seems that you joined minor seminary at the age of 16 or so? What was the motivating factor behind that?

2.      What was your concept of priesthood then and when you were finally ordained a priest and now raised to the episcopacy?

3.      What are all the elements that influenced the growth, if at all there was any, in the concept of priesthood?

4.      What are all its biblical basis, especially NT basis?

5.      There are only seven sacraments. And episcopacy doesn’t come anywhere there?

6.      Does Jesus propose or justify hierarchical, even clerical and laity, approach anywhere?

7.      What was Jesus attitude towards priests and priesthood and vice versa?

8.      Did Jesus call anyone to priesthood?

9.      What is the implication of Jesus’ talk with the Samaritan woman at the well especially on established and institutionalized worship centres?

10.  Could you kindly elucidate his understanding of Law and its applicability?

11.  Which of the biblical incidents you would prefer to trace as the basis of your elevation to the arch episcopacy of Trivandrum?

12.  How would you envisage your episcopacy, especially in the context of the approaching centenary of the diocese which is said to be ‘backward’, the on-going synodal church and in contrast to (perspective of) the much talked about living in together at Kottar at the golden jubilee of the diocese?

13.  In the Kerala context of the controversial Ernakulam – Angamaly property issue, the bishop Franco issue, (bishop Thattunkal’s resignation and disappearance) and the latest the arrest of Pathanamthitta bishop along with some of his priests in responsible positions, what would be your approach in administration, especially temporal?

14.  What do you think of the credibility and respectability of priest as against the inflow of Catholics to other denominations, especially the Pentecostals?

15.  How serious are you on the demands of discipleship in the gospels and how would you see priesthood vis-à-vis discipleship?

16.  How do you see the Papacy of Pope Francis in contrast to his predecessors and its impact in your realization of the church, priesthood etc?