Seminary debt prompts Syro Malankara Church funding appeal

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — The head of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church has urged the faithful to support its major seminary after operating deficits and declining foreign aid left the institution with debt exceeding ₹3 million ($31,066).

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal of Trivandrum, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church made the appeal in a June 4 circular marking Seminary Day, observed June 29 on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the anniversary of St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary in Thiruvananthapuram.

Calling the seminary “our Church’s general priestly formation institute,” Cardinal Thottunkal recalled that the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church fulfilled “a long-cherished dream” by establishing its own priestly education center in 1983 and thanked the faithful for their longstanding generosity toward its development and daily operations.

The cardinal in his appeal, published in the July edition of the monthly bulletin from the Diocese of Marthandom, said the seminary’s theological college is undergoing “the largest renovation and enhancement work in its history.”

He said the chapel sanctuary, dining hall and entrance facilities have been renovated during the past three years, while “new classrooms, the institutional office, and related rooms were constructed and blessed” last year. He added that operations of the expanded academic institution are expected to begin this year.

“A substantial amount of funds has been spent on the building and renovation works completed so far,” he wrote, adding that “a large sum is required to fully renovate the initial building, which is nearly forty years old.”

Cardinal Thottunkal expressed gratitude that funds for the work completed so far had come from “our faithful communities living abroad, priests who are alumni of the seminary, and our well-wishing friends.”

Debt and declining foreign assistance

Despite the renovation work, he said the seminary’s daily operations face “a severe financial burden.”

“Currently, there is a substantial deficit between the seminary’s annual income and annual expenditure,” he wrote. “Because it has not been covered over the past two years, a debt of over thirty lakh rupees has accumulated.”

Cardinal Thottunkal said, “It is no longer appropriate to rely on foreign aid, as in previous times, to run the seminary, which is one of our Church’s most valuable permanent institutions.”

He added that “new financial laws and administrative regulations also do not permit such arrangements” and that “foreign aid available for general Church activities has also greatly diminished.”

He said the Church is pursuing “various efforts” to increase sustainable income and make the seminary “a financially self-sufficient institution,” although “it will take some time for these efforts to yield full results.”

The cardinal urged parish priests and officials to collect special offerings and other donations and forward them promptly to diocesan centres.

He also invited “individuals and organizations” to provide scholarships covering the education costs of “at least one seminarian,” saying this “will serve as a noble opportunity to receive God’s grace.”

“When the administration of the seminary approaches you regarding this matter, I request you to extend your full cooperation,” he wrote.

Cardinal Thottunkal concluded by thanking the faithful for their “continuous loving encouragement and support as a faith community to strengthen the Church in various ways” and prayed that God would grant them “the grace and blessings of the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul.”

Full statements available: In original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.