Syro Malabar Synod calls for unity, missionary renewal despite challenges

KAKKANAD, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — The Syro Malabar Church has called for greater unity, stronger faith formation and renewed missionary activity while urging solutions to education, environmental and social challenges.

The call came in a post-synodal circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil of Ernakulam-Angamaly, head of the Syro Malabar Church, after the second session of the 34th Synod of Bishops, held Aug. 17-28 at Mount St. Thomas in Kakkanad, the church’s major archiepiscopal curia.

The Synod sought to renew and strengthen the church’s faith life and pastoral activities “so as to respond more effectively to the challenges of our times,” Archbishop Thattil said.

The church is observing 2026 as the Year of Community Empowerment. The circular identified demographic decline, weakening ecclesial spirit, declining interest among younger people in agriculture and commerce, and insufficient presence in mainstream society as major challenges.

“These challenges should not frighten us but inspire us to discover new ways of responding to them,” Archbishop Thattil said.

He urged the church to strengthen young people in faith and their sense of belonging while helping them develop their “talents and resources.”

Faith formation and mission

The circular stressed faith formation for families, young people and children, particularly amid cultural atheism and the influence of digital technologies and social media.

Archbishop Thattil urged pastoral activities suited to changing times and said families face challenges including “the erosion of values, individualism, economic pressures, the widening gap between generations, and the influence of digital culture.”

The church also called for greater efforts against alcohol and drug abuse and urged young people to recognize and cherish God’s call to family life.

On evangelization, the circular said being Christian also means being an evangelizer. It cited the biblical command to “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

The church said its services arise from faith but “embrace everyone, irrespective of religious belief.” It also expressed concern about efforts to hinder its faith life and charitable and educational ministries through allegations of forced conversion.

The circular called for missionary activities to be initiated or strengthened in every eparchy through the lay missionary movement Jeevan Jyoti, established in accordance with directives from the 2024 Major Archiepiscopal Assembly.

Education and social concerns

During the Synod, bishops met members of Parliament and the Kerala Legislative Assembly to discuss problems facing the church and society and possible solutions.

The church called for implementation of the Justice J.B. Koshy Commission report within a definite timeframe, a permanent solution to serious education-sector problems, including disputes over teacher appointments, and resolution of longstanding issues involving Ecologically Sensitive Areas.

The Synod also expressed concern about legislation that could adversely affect educational and social institutions operating according to law.

“It is deeply worrying that legal provisions are being introduced that adversely affect institutions functioning in accordance with the laws and constitutional rights of the country,” the circular said.

Unity remains a priority

The circular devoted significant attention to unity within the church, particularly over the celebration of Mass.

“Unity at the altar was a significant step in our Church’s journey together,” Archbishop Thattil said, noting that efforts toward unity began in 1999 after different modes of celebrating the Eucharist had affected the church’s sense of unity.

“It is painful that this unity has not yet been fully realized,” he said, while warning that “unity can never be achieved by hurting one another through our words.”

Citing Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Thattil urged members to examine “the words we use, the prejudices we have and the explicit or implicit aggression that lies within them.”

He said lasting peace requires “constant prayer, personal repentance, and mutual reconciliation” and added that “peace in the Church cannot be achieved through court cases.”

“Let us strive to become messengers of unity by accepting the guidance of our Eparchial Bishops,” he said.

The Synod also addressed priestly and consecrated-life vocations, saying seminary formation was being renewed according to the needs of the times.

Archbishop Thattil concluded by urging the church to move forward “in faith, communion, and missionary zeal,” with hope in the Lord.

The circular is to be read during Mass on Sunday, Sept. 6, in all parishes, institutions, religious houses, formation centers and major seminaries of the Syro-Malabar Church.

Read the circular.