Rally, meet mark SIUC centenary

A massive rally and a public meeting was held to mark the centenary of the formation of the South India United Church (SIUC), SIUC chairman Bishop J.W. Gladstone said.

The rally was flagged off from the LMS (Latin Mass Society) Compound and converged at the Putharikandam Maidan for the meeting, Bishop Gladstone told a news conference.

While Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan inaugurated the meeting, Bishop Gladstone presided over the meeting.

Archbishop M. Soosa Pakiam of the Latin Catholic Church of Thiruvananthapuram delivered the keynote address.

Catholicos of the Syro–Malankara Catholic Church Moran Mor Baselios Mar Cleemis and Thiruvananthapuram Bishop of the Marthoma Church Abraham Mar Poulose delivered the benedictory addresses.

Mayor C. Jayan Babu released a souvenir on the occasion.

While Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran inaugurated a scheme for the rehabilitation of the aged on the occasion, Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas inaugurated an employment scheme for the physically challenged.

District panchayat president Anavoor Nagappan inaugurated a medical scheme for BPL (below poverty line) families of Kunnathukal panchayat.

The SIUC was established on July 25, 1907, when seven congregations, including the LMS Church, came together.

The Church, today, runs several institutions, including a medical college, but has a long way to go in empowering its members numbering around 12 lakh, Bishop Gladstone said.

As part of strengthening the basic family unit, the Church regularly conducts pre–marital counseling and family counselling among other activities, the bishop said.