SMC establishes mission seminary in Satna

Cardinal Alencherry is scheduled to make the official declaration on March 29.

Satna:  The Major Archiepiscopal Synod of the Syro Malabar Church (SMC) has decided to make St. Ephrem's Theological College in Satna the mission seminary for the entire SMC.

St. Ephrem's Theological College was started in 1992 as a diocesan major seminary for imparting theological education and priestly formation in tune with the oriental ecclesial tradition of the St. Thomas Christians in the mission context of India.

Former Satna Bishop Mar Abraham D. Mattam started it to accelerate evangelization in the Catholic missions of northern India, and reach pastoral care to the communities.

The seminary has produced 19 batches of priests belonging to different dioceses and religious congregations.

The seminary imparts training exposing it students to different cultures and religions and helping them learn and use local and major languages, said an invitation note from Father Philip Chakkummoottil, a staff member.

The priest said the SMC synod decided to elevate the seminary as the common mission seminary for the entire Syro Malabar Church after assessing the possibilities of the seminary in the mission work.

SMC Major Archbishop George Cardinal Alencherry is scheduled to make the official declaration on March 29, the priest said.

Press Release