Mechernich/Rome – Around 300 bishops, priests, religious, and faithful from across Europe and the United Kingdom gathered in Rome from 13 to 15 June for the first European Convention of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. The meeting reflected the growing importance of pastoral care for Syro-Malankara Catholics throughout Europe and strengthened cooperation among the Church’s communities serving on the continent.
The convention concluded with a special audience granted by Pope Leo XIV in the Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace. The delegation was led by His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the Catholicos and Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, accompanied by His Excellency Kuriakose Mar Osthathios, the Apostolic Visitor for the Syro-Malankara Catholic faithful in Europe and almost all bishops of the Church.
Pope Praises Spiritual Depth
Welcoming the participants, Pope Leo praised the Syro-Malankara Church for its ancient apostolic tradition, rich spiritual heritage, and missionary vitality. Recalling the origins of the Church in the evangelization of India by St. Thomas the Apostle, the Pope described the Syro-Malankara Church’s identity as a “precious treasure” to be carefully preserved. He encouraged the faithful living in Europe to remain deeply rooted in their Eastern Catholic traditions while courageously proclaiming the Gospel wherever they live.
The Holy Father also recalled the witness of Archbishop Mar Ivanios and Bishop Mar Theophilos, whose efforts contributed significantly to the communion between the Syro-Malankara Church and the Catholic Church. He called upon today’s faithful to continue their mission in unity, fidelity, and evangelization.
Personal Introduction
Among those introduced personally to Pope Leo XIV was Father Jaison Thazhathil, Superior General of Communio in Christo, who attended the convention at the invitation of the Syro-Malankara Church. Before coming to Germany, Father Jaison had served as the personal secretary to Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, and he continues to maintain close ties with his home Church.
During the convention, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis repeatedly highlighted the mission of Communio in Christo and introduced Father Jaison personally to the Holy Father, presenting the Mechernich-based community and its ministry. Following the audience, numerous participants expressed interest in learning more about the international spiritual community.
The close relationship between Communio in Christo and the Syro-Malankara Church has grown steadily over recent years. Several Syro-Malankara priests have ministered in Mechernich or maintained close pastoral cooperation with the community, strengthening the bonds between the German-based foundation and the Indian Eastern Catholic Church.
In November 2021, the then Superior General, Karl-Heinz Haus, together with a twelve-member delegation from Mechernich had travelled to the Vatican for a special audience with Pope Francis.
Presentation of the Cross and the Rule
On that occasion, he presented to the Holy Father the Rule of the Ordo Communionis in Christo, an accompanying letter, and the golden founding cross that Mother Marie Therese had worn when founding the community on 8 December, 1984. It waswith this symbolic gesture, that Haus explicitly entrusted the foundation of the Communio in Christo into the hands of the Pope.
The audience had become possible through the mediation of the Aachen Bishop Dr. Helmut Dieser. The head of the community regarded it as a historic moment. Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the presentation and asked the Communio for its prayers. A few weeks later, the health of the then 88-year-old Superior General deteriorated significantly and on 17 January 2022, Karl-Heinz Haus passed away in Mechernich.
The Communio in Christo was founded on December 8, 1984, by the charismatic mystic Mother Marie Therese. To this day its Motherhouse is in Mechernich. From there, the community developed into an internationally active organization with approximately 250 members. It is recognized by the Church as a “Consociatio privata christifidelium”.
The spirituality of the Communio in Christo combines spiritual life with practical service to the sick, the elderly, and the dying. The work includes the long-term care facility Communio in Christo and the Stella Maris Hospice in Mechernich. Through the senior citizens’ nursing home Haus Effata in Blankenheim, the community’s social ministry is also actively engaged in elderly care throughout the Northern Eifel region.
