Tamil Christian community’s contribution hailed

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker R. Avudaiappan on Thursday lauded the invaluable contributions of the Christian community to the social, educational and healthcare sectors in the State.

Addressing a public meeting to mark the formal dedicating of a Bishop’s House and Chapel of the Madras Orthodox Diocesan Centre in Chennai (Mehta Nagar, Aminjikarai), Mr. Avudaiappan said the community’s contributions to the industrial sector was equally substantial, the Hindu reported.

More to benefit

Noting that the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church establishment was running several schools, orphanages and hospitals for the benefit of sections of society, the Speaker said the opening of a Bishop’s House and Chapel would help to expand services to benefit more people.

The Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, Oommen Chandy, said the advancement of spirituality, religious harmony and welfare (of the downtrodden) were the obligations that the community fulfilled.

The community’s role in promoting secular values and religious harmony was critical during a period when communal forces were spreading hatred, Mr. Chandy said.
Souvenir released

He later released a souvenir, handing over the first copy to Philipose Mar Eusebius, Metropolitan, Diocese of Thumpamon.

Baselios Marthoma Didymus–I, the Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan based in Kottayam, formally inaugurated the facility.

Paulose Mar Milithios, Catholicose–designate, launched a project for a home for the disabled.

The distinguished leaders present at the functions were A. Chinnappa, Catholic Archbishop, Madras Mylapore Diocese, Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, Bishop, Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Diocese of Madras, Johns Abraham Konatt, Priest Trustee, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Muthoot M. George, its Lay Trustee and George Joseph, its Secretary, George Chandy, Director, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Philip Thomas, Vicar, St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, P.K. Koshy, St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Singapore and Yakob Mar Irenaios, Metropolitan, Diocese of Madras.