Mechernich – Bishop Dr Samuel Mar Irenio described Mother Marie Therese, who founded the Ordo Communionis in Christo in Mechernich in 1984, as a "saint of our time". Following a visit to Pope Leo XIV in Rome, the head of the Pathanamthitta Eparchy of the Syro-Malankan Catholic Church in Kerala, India, paid an official visit to the motherhouse of Communion in Christ in Mechernich, Germany.
Reverend Jaison Thazhathil said that this important visit emphasised the growing cooperation between the Indian Church and the international spiritual community Communio in Christo. Bishop Mar Irenios, born on 13 May 1952 in Kadammanitta, Kerala, is a prominent Indian bishop and educator.
He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum in 2010 and Bishop of Pathanamthitta in 2018, succeeding Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom. Bishop Mar Chrysostom had previously visited the motherhouse of the Ordo Communionis in Christo in Mechernich twice and received an official delegation of the Communio in Kerala in 2012.
„What makes the church what it is“
Bishop Mar Irenios is known for his commitment to academic and spiritual education. His many achievements include his work as Rector of Mar Irenios College in Trivandrum and as a respected professor at the seminary, where he also taught the current Superior General of the Ordo Communionis in Christo, Fr Jaison Thazhathil.
Rev Dr Shaji Thomas Manikulam, who currently lives and works in the Mechernich motherhouse with the community of the Communion in Christ, belongs to the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta, the diocese under the leadership of Bishop Mar Irenios.
The bishop's visit began in Rome, where he took part in Pope Leo XIV's solemn inauguration Mass and personally conveyed his greetings and blessing to the newly elected pontiff. He then continued his journey to Mechernich, where he immersed himself in the life and mission of the Communio community.
Reflecting on his experience, the Bishop expressed his deep appreciation for the spiritual depth and universal vision of Mother Marie Therese's foundations, noting that it is "truly representative of what the Church is all about".
pp/Agentur ProfiPress
