Pope Francis: A bridge-builder vexed by fissures
often surprised the world by breaking
Vatican
traditions. He elevated several men from remote corners of the world to the rank of cardinal—the highest position in the Catholic Church after the Pope. During his 12-year tenure, he reshaped the pastoral direction of Kerala's three self-governing Churches—Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara—through key appointments of archbishops and bishops, along with timely guidance to clergy and believers.
In 2016, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Joseph Kalathiparambil—then secretary of the Vatican's pontifical council for the pastoral care of migrants and itinerant people—as archbishop of Verapoly. In Kerala's Latin Church hierarchy, Pope Francis picked all three archbishops, including those of Trivandrum and the newly-formed Calicut archdiocese, as well as most of the bishops. He also appointed many archbishops and bishops in Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches.
Pope Francis had to step in during a tense period in
Syro-Malabar Church
, the second-largest of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches. When the synod of bishops faced protests from some clergy and laity over financial allegations and property issues at Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese—the seat of the major archbishop—the matter reached the Holy See. Eventually, the Vatican removed Cardinal Mar George Alencherry from his role as major archbishop.
In Aug 2021, Syro-Malabar Church's synod ordered a uniform Holy Mass across its 35 eparchies. But clergy and laity in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese resisted, insisting on continuing the people-facing Mass, a practice adopted after the Second Vatican Council. Even a video appeal from the Pope failed to change their stand. Protests turned violent at St. Mary's Basilica in Ernakulam.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
She Was Beautiful, Now Its Hard To Look At Her
Crowdy Fan
Undo
Pope Francis worked hard to strengthen
ecumenical ties
with various Orthodox Christian Churches. He led key meetings with Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem-II of Antioch, head of Syrian Orthodox Church, who recently consecrated a Catholicos for Malankara Jacobite Church in Lebanon. He also invited the Catholicos of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, based in Kottayam. In Nov 2024, a delegation of eight bishops from the synod of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church met him at the Vatican.
Pope Francis, the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula, played a key role in building bridges between the Christian and Islamic worlds. He signed the Declaration of Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi. His strong stand against the 'madness of war' and the destruction in Gaza won widespread support, especially from Kerala's peace-loving Muslim community. In Dec 2024, he hosted Sivagiri Mutt's centenary commemoration of Sree Narayana Guru's historic all-religion conference at the Vatican, praising Kerala's tradition of religious harmony.
(Chief editor, Jeevanaadam)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
'No formal talks yet with US on F-35 buy': Government in Lok Sabha
NEW DELHI: India has not had any formal talks with the US over the purchase of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, the external affairs ministry informed the Lok Sabha Friday. Responding to a written query, MoS (MEA) Kirti Vardhan Singh said the India-US joint statement following the meeting between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in Feb 2025 had mentioned that US will undertake a review of its policy on selling fifth-generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea systems to India. "No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue," added the minister. A news agency reported on Thursday that India had told the US that it is not interested in purchasing the F-35 jets. The minister was also asked whether the govt has reviewed the dynamics relating to US military assistance proposals and India's autonomy in terms of foreign policy, given its strategic implications, especially in a conflict scenario involving third-party mediation. The minister responded by saying that the India-US partnership has benefited from growing strategic convergence & cooperation and that India closely evaluates all its external partnerships, including those in the defence and strategic domains, through the prism of its national interest and commitment to strategic autonomy. "India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill and robust engagement between our citizens," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like San Ramon: How Much Does It Cost To Replace Old Windows? Beautiful Energy-Efficient Windows Learn More Undo As regards third-party mediation, the minister said that it has been India's longstanding position that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed only at a bilateral level. "This has been made clear to all nations, including by the PM to the US president," he said.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Here's what Kamala Harris did to shut out negativity post 2024 election loss against Trump
Kamala Harris, long known as a self-described foodie, is no stranger to the comforting power of a good meal. After losing the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, Harris found herself overwhelmed by a wave of negativity. Instead of diving back into the news cycle, she turned to cooking shows for escape. Harris on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Kamala Harris appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for her first televised interview since the election loss. Colbert commented, 'First of all, you look rested.' Harris joked that she was, and after asking about Colbert himself, she discussed how she managed the aftermath of her defeat. When asked, 'How long before you turned on the news again?' Harris replied: 'Months, Months, I, you know, I'm just not into self‑mutilation, and I just, I, yeah, lots of cooking shows.' She added that 'The Kitchen', a cooking show where hosts prepare simple dinners, play trivia, and share meal tips, is 'one of my favorites.' Cooking as comfort and control For Kamala Harris, the kitchen isn't just a place for food, it's where she regains her sense of self. In the chaos that followed her 2024 election defeat, cooking offered her something rare: control. Back when she was crisscrossing the country as a senator, Harris once said, 'Everything else can be crazy, I can be on six planes in one week, and what makes me feel normal is making Sunday‑night family dinner.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Cyprus (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo That same instinct led her back to the stove after the loss, when she could barely bring herself to watch the news. Instead of spiraling, she turned to flavors, textures, and recipes. Her love for cooking traces back to her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who told her early on, 'Kamala, you clearly like to eat good food. You better learn how to cook.' It stuck. Over the years, Harris built up a collection of cookbooks, favorites include Marcella Hazan and Alice Waters, and has even talked about writing one of her own someday. During the campaign trail, that passion showed up online. Her short series 'Cooking With Kamala' gave viewers a peek into her unpolished, everyday kitchen self. She chopped onions with practiced ease, cracked eggs one‑handed, and even swapped spice jar stories with Mindy Kaling while making masala dosa. From YouTube to the home kitchen During her 2020 campaign, Harris hosted a short YouTube series called 'Cooking With Kamala.' She confidently demonstrated cooking skills, like cracking an egg one-handed and slicing onions, earning praise even from chef Tom Colicchio. In one viral video, she and actress Mindy Kaling prepared masala dosa and discovered that both grew up storing spices in Taster's Choice jars. Her home kitchen reflects her passion: enamel skillets, a gas stove, and a crock full of cooking tools, signs of someone who cooks often and joyfully.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt considering subsidy for agri labour: CM
Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that state govt, under its agriculture policy, is considering providing a subsidy to engage labour to cultivate fields in the state. Sawant noted that some people in Goa cultivate their fields manually, and govt — under the Amrit Kaal Agriculture Policy — will consider offering the labour subsidy to help them. Saligao MLA Kedar Naik said that harvesting machines are charged on a per-hour basis in his constituency, and it requires at least one and a half hours to complete work in a field. Farmers have to pay an additional amount for the machines, he said. Naik said that in some areas of Saligao, machines cannot be used, and manual cultivation is necessary. As for harvesting machines, Naik demanded that govt increase the subsidy to cover usage for one and a half hours. Agriculture minister Ravi Naik said that he will increase the subsidy for longer machine use. He said state govt will provide a subsidy to grow mancurad trees in the state. 'We provide Rs 600 to dig a pit to plant one of these mango trees,' he said. Sawant said that Goans do not grow mancurad mangoes and should start doing so to increase mango production in the state. He said that the mancurad mangoes we eat today are from the trees planted by our ancestors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kentucky: These Companies Are Overcharging You for Car Insurance OTTO Insurance Read Now Undo 'Young people should take up agriculture in the state,' he said. Sawant said that a Rs 2 lakh per hectare subsidy is provided to mancurad mango growers in rocky areas. 'We are in the final stages of getting the GI tag for the mancurad mango,' he said. The chief minister said govt policy is clear about saving land for agriculture. Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said that rice cultivation has not increased in the state. Viegas said, 'Providing a Rs 2 per kg subsidy is not a practical solution.' Sawant said that govt provides subsidies for plantation, harvesting, and irrigation and has decided to set up a rice mill in the state so that farmers do not have to travel to other states. 'We provide the additional Rs 2 per kg support price on top of the state govt subsidy,' the chief minister said. Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar said that when he sells coconuts for Rs 30 per piece, the department provides a subsidy of Rs 15. He asked if the subsidy would be increased. The agriculture minister said he will consider doing so.
