THRISSUR, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — The Syro Malabar Archbishop of Trichur has issued revised guidelines to revive inactive parish teams, strengthen pastoral coordination and ensure every parish implements the archdiocese’s annual pastoral plan.
In his circular titled “Strengthening Parish PACT,” Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur said the Pastoral Animation and Coordination Team was established at parish, forane and archdiocesan levels following recommendations of the Third Archdiocesan Assembly in 2018.
“To coordinate and strengthen the pastoral activities of our archdiocese,” PACT was established with “a clearly defined structure and constitution,” the archbishop wrote.
He said the Archdiocesan PACT Secretariat publishes an annual pastoral action plan based on priorities identified by the archdiocesan assembly.
Reviving inactive parish teams
Archbishop Thazhath acknowledged that implementation has been uneven across Trichur Archdiocese.
“For various reasons, PACT has not yet been formed in some parishes. In certain other parishes where it has been established, its activities have become inactive,” he said.
Recalling the extensive consultation that preceded the Third Archdiocesan Assembly, Archbishop Thazhath said, “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the recommendations that emerged from that assembly are put into practice through the PACT structure that the assembly itself proposed.”
He stressed the importance of the initiative, saying, “If PACT functions effectively, it will undoubtedly bring great benefits to our archdiocese.”
The circular said discussions among forane vicars and the PACT Executive Committee concluded that PACT “would function more effectively if it incorporated the leaders of the existing parish councils and organizations.”
As a result, the archbishop issued revised parish-level guidelines.
Revised parish structure
Under the new norms, the Parish PACT will include the parish priest, assistant parish priest or priests, parish trustees, secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, convener of the Parish Family Apostolate Central Committee and secretary of the Parish Coordination Committee.
The circular also states that members serving by virtue of their office will automatically leave the Parish PACT when they leave that position, with their successors automatically taking their place.
It further specifies that the convener of the Parish PACT must be elected from among the secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, the convener of the Parish Family Apostolate Central Committee or the secretary of the Parish Coordination Committee.
Deadline for implementation
Archbishop Thazhath instructed clergy to complete the new structure by the end of June.
“All parish priests are requested to constitute the Parish PACT in the above manner and submit the names of its members to the Archdiocesan PACT Secretariat before June 30, 2026,” he wrote.
He appealed for renewed commitment. “I earnestly request everyone to ensure that, in every parish, PACT functions actively by implementing the annual pastoral plan published by the archdiocese,” Archbishop Thazhath said.
“Entrusting ourselves to the loving protection of the Most Holy Trinity and seeking the intercession of our heavenly patron, the Immaculate Mother, let us move forward together,” he added.
The June 1 circular, published in the July edition of the Trichur Archdiocese Bulletin, was read in all churches and institutions during Mass on June 7.
Full pastoral circular available: In original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.
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