Nuncio to attend canonization thanksgiving in Kerala

Delegations representing Central and State Governments will also attend the mass.

Kochi:  Church officials in Kerala will organize a Thanksgiving Mass and public meeting in Kochi this Saturday in connection with the canonization of Fr Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sr. Euphrasia Eluvathingal.

Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio will inaugurate the public meeting, which will be presided over by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, said Baselius Cardinal Cleemis, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India in a statement on Tuesday.

Heads of various Christian denominations and representatives of various religions and political parties will attend the service. Around 50,000 people are expected to take part in the celebration, it said.

Priests and bishops of the Latin Church and the Malankara Catholic Church will attend the function. A procession carrying holy relics from Mannanam and Ollur will reach Rajagiri Valley, Kakkanad, on that day.

Syro Malabar Church head Mar George Cardinal Alencherry will be the main celebrant at the mass. Delegations representing Central and State Governments will also attend the mass.

CMI Prior General Fr Paul Achandi said social welfare projects worth Rs. 1 cr would be launched to mark the historic event. The projects include housing, aid for cancer patients and financial support for students.

Source: Deccan chronicle