Syro-Malabar Church to simplify liturgy

The Church wants to make it more simple and appealing to the laity.

Kochi:  The Syro-Malabar Church has resolved to take steps to simplify the liturgy of the church.

During its 12-day Episcopal Synod, that concluded in Kochi Saturday, the church called on the laity to practise simplicity in word and deed.

In a release, the Synod, chaired by Cardinal George Alencherry, said that institutions under the church should be model centers where the teachings of Christ would be practiced.

It was attended by 47 bishops at Mount St Thomas, the headquarters of the church at Kakkanad.

It decided to take all efforts to help those who had borne the brunt of the unprecedented monsoon fury.

There was an in principle agreement at the Synod to modify the liturgy by making it more simple and appealing to the laity.

This would be followed up by forming a panel for the purpose.

The Synod decided to open an office in Kochi to coordinate the church’s activities for its members living abroad.

The commission for migrants under the church was asked to take steps for this.

The Global Meet 2013, held during the Synod and attended by about 500 migrant members of the church, was an occasion to share the issues they faced.

The meeting of the Women’s Forum was also attended by the bishops.

The Synod suggested that in addition to the present pre-marriage counseling for youth, the family apostolic departments of the church should think of imparting post-marriage counseling too to strengthen families.

Source: deccan chronicle