Pope Leo XIV To Attend Remarkable World Meet Of Faith

POPE LEO XIV to Attend Catholic Congress Global Meet in Rome: Faith, Unity and a Global Vision

The attention of Syro-Malabar Catholics living in different parts of the world will turn to Rome this October. Global Meet of The Catholic Congress which is the official laity organization of the Syro-Malabar will be held in Rome from 19 to 23 October. Representatives from around 40 countries are expected to take part in the meeting. Delegates from Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Canada, Australia, the Middle East and other parts of the world will come together. Presence of Pope Leo XIV will be one of the most important highlights of the Global Meet. The representatives will have an opportunity to meet the Holy Father, receive his message and receive his blessing.

Global Meet Preparations

The Global Meet is being organised under the guidance of Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil and Bishop Legate Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil. Catholic Congress Global President Rajeev Kochuparambil, Global Director Rev. Fr. Dr Philip Kaviyil, Global General Secretary Dr Josekutty J. Ozhukayil, Global Convener Benny Pulickakkara, coordinators and representatives from different countries are leading the preparations. Bishops, priests, community leaders, elected representatives, politicians, professionals, entrepreneurs and people from different fields are expected to participate. There will be discussions on community development, faith, youth, migration, education, employment, business, professional cooperation and social issues.

Journey of the Catholic Congress flag

The Catholic Congress flag was blessed and handed over by Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil. It has travelled through different parts of the Middle East, Canada, the United States, Australia, the Far East, Europe, Africa and reached India. The flag will travel through different Indian dioceses and on 18 October, it will begin its final journey to Rome. On 19 October, the Catholic Congress Global President will raise the flag in Rome. The journey of the flag has become a symbol of the unity of the Syro-Malabar community. It shows how the community has travelled from Kerala to different parts of the world.

The Catholic Congress has a history of more than a century.

The organisation started in 1918 as the Kerala Catholic Maha Sabha. Later, it became the All Kerala Catholic Congress and today it functions as the Global Catholic Congress. For more than a century, the organisation has worked to bring Catholic lay people together and to encourage their participation in the Church and society. Its activities have included education, agriculture, employment, family life, youth development, social issues, business and community development. Today, the situation has changed greatly. Large numbers of Syro-Malabar families now live outside India. Many young people study and work in Europe, America, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world. The Catholic Congress is also growing along with this global movement of the Syro-Malabar community.

The Catholic Congress and today’s social issues

The Catholic Congress is not working only on Church-related matters. It is also raising issues that directly affect families, farmers, young people and ordinary people.

ESA and protection of farmers

The Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) issue is one of the important concerns of the Catholic Congress. Many families in Kerala’s high-range areas live near forests. Their homes, farms and livelihoods can be affected by new environmental restrictions. The Catholic Congress supports environmental protection. At the same time, it has demanded that the rights and livelihoods of farmers and people living in these areas should also be protected. The organisation has opposed proposals that could create unnecessary problems for people living in villages, farms and plantations. It has demanded proper maps and clear identification of forest areas, inhabited areas and agricultural land.

Human-wildlife conflict

Another major concern is the increasing human-wildlife conflict in Kerala. Farmers and families living near forests face attacks from wild elephants and other animals. The Catholic Congress has demanded stronger action from the government to protect human life and farmers’ livelihoods. It has also called for better long-term solutions that can protect both people and wildlife. The organisation believes that farmers who live in forest-border areas should not be forced to live in fear.

Munambam and the Waqf land issue

The Munambam land issue has also become an important public issue for the Catholic Congress. Many families in Munambam have been living on and using their properties for many years. The dispute over the Waqf status of the land has created uncertainty among these families. The Catholic Congress has supported the demand that families who legally own and have been living on their properties should receive proper protection. The organisation has also demanded political and legal action to find a permanent solution to the issue.

EWS reservation

The Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation is another issue raised by the Catholic Congress. The organisation has demanded that eligible people should receive the benefits of EWS reservation without unnecessary administrative difficulties. It has also raised concerns about equal opportunities in education and employment. The Catholic Congress believes that economic disadvantage should be properly considered while creating opportunities for young people and families.

Justice J. B. Koshy Commission Report

The implementation of the Justice J. B. Koshy Commission Report is another important demand of the Catholic Congress. The Commission studied the social, educational and economic conditions of the Christian community in Kerala. The Catholic Congress has demanded that the recommendations of the Commission should be properly studied and implemented. The organisation has also asked political parties to make their positions clear on the recommendations of the Koshy Commission.

Youth and migration

The future of young people is one of the biggest concerns for the Catholic Congress. Thousands of young people from Kerala are now studying and working in different countries. Migration has created many opportunities, but it has also created new problems. Young people face challenges related to education costs, immigration rules, employment, housing and family life. The Catholic Congress is trying to connect young people in different countries through its Global Youth Council and other programmes. The aim is to create a strong network of young Syro-Malabar Catholics across the world.

Global business and professional network

The Catholic Congress is also giving importance to professionals and entrepreneurs. The proposed Global Business Network aims to connect business people, entrepreneurs and professionals from different countries. Through this network, members can share business ideas, create partnerships, support each other and find new opportunities.

Vision

The Catholic Congress has to respond to the changing needs of the community and connect the older generation with the new generation living across the world. Global Meet is intended to carry the faith of generations, the hopes of young people, the achievements of migrants and the dreams of a new generation. From Kerala to the world, and from the world to Rome, the Catholic Congress is beginning a new chapter. Rome will be the meeting place. Faith will be the foundation. The future of a global Syro-Malabar community will be the common vision.