History of Mission in Australia
In God’s Providence, the Australian Continent has proved to be a “Dream Land” for the Syro - Malankara Community, ever since the Servant of God, Archbishop Mar Ivanios, with prophetic vision, initiated this Rite on his visit to Melbourne in 1948 for the centenary celebrations of the Archdiocese. This prophetic visit of Servant of God Mar Ivanios happened in the 18th year of the historical Reunion Movement. The media covered his visit with great significance. “The Advocate” daily wrote in its headlines “Archbishop wears purple turban and robes”. It was Mar Ivanios who celebrated the Holy Qurbono in the Malankara Syrian Rite for the first time in Australia. This land is now privileged to have a burgeoning number of Syro - Malankara Catholic people, all of whom have migrated not only in search of a new life and future for themselves and their children, but also to cherish and foster their spiritual, liturgical and cultural heritage, as well as to spread the Gospel.
On 13 October 2013 Rev. Fr. Stephen Kulathumkarott was appointed as the Coordinator of the Syro - Malankara Catholic Church in Australia and New Zealand by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos. By this appointment the scattered members are joined together as a Church Community and are gradually advancing in the ecclesial vision and mission of the Church.
At present we have communities in Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth in Australia. In New Zealand we have communities in Auckland, Christ Church Wellington, Palmerston North, Napier, and Hamilton.
Through the diocesan newsletters and other electronic and secular printing media we started to advertise the beginning of the Community as much as we could with the added help of known members. We still use these media for bringing everybody together in each community. Thus, by God’s grace, each community is making steady and commendable progress. By attending and sharing messages at different functions organised by the members of the Malayalam Communities, we have endeavoured to keep them apprised of the vision and the progress of the Syro - Malankara Catholic community.
At the moment we have traced 200 families in 6 Communities in Australia. In every Community, we have started Monthly Prayer Meetings and regular Holy Mass. Thus in Melbourne we have Holy Mass twice in a month; in Canberra, and Perth we have Mass once in three months. In Sydney we have Holy Mass once in two months. In Brisbane we have Holy Mass in every week. In New Zealand we have Holy Masses once in two months. Holy Mass is celebrated every Sunday in Adelaide, except on those weekends when the Chaplain is away on other pastoral duties.
On May 2017 Rev. Fr. Premkumar was appointed as the associate Chaplain in Australia. Since all the Prayer Meetings cannot be actually attended by the Chaplains, visual media is used to link with the other members in a spirit of both unity and solidarity. Catechism for Children is already started with the help of our lay animators in different Communities. SMCC Official Text is used for Catechetical formation. Training in Altar serving and attending the Mass and Malayalam Classes are given in the Communities often. Long term Malayalam Classes for the Children of Adelaide is given during their vacation. Church feast activities like Mar Ivanios Day, Reunion Day and Carol Services are conducted in time according to our customs and tradition. Onam and other cultural festivities are celebrated, thereby giving one and all an opportunity to treasure our heritage and to share our communal joy.
In each group, we have nominated a team of leaders for the co-ordination of the work. Their enthusiasm has been infectious and has been gratefully appreciated by the members. We have started a News Bulletin in Melbourne Community and plan to have a common one for all over Australia and New Zealand. We have organised a group of volunteers to accommodate the newly-arrived migrants from our Church. The Church has certainly grown only with the work of the Holy Spirit and we are having a Night Vigil Service every First Friday of the month intended for the steady growth of the Church.
The Archdiocese of Adelaide and the Archbishop, Most Rev. Philip E. Wilson, are to be respectfully and gratefully remembered in the initial launch of the Syro - Malankara Catholic Church in Australia. Respecting the application of HB Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the Major Archbishop Catholicos, Archbishop Philip E. Wilson has and is extending his fullest support and collaboration in the progressive growth of our Church in Australia. Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane has extended his support to our community by fostering Fr. Premkumar. The Archbishops and bishops from different dioceses both in Australia and New Zealand have willingly extended their personal and pastoral assistance towards the members of our small but growing communities.
Meanwhile, we were privileged to receive our Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios (Bishop of Mavelikara) and Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios (Apostolic Exarch of Khadki) to our Communities. Earlier Most Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Julios, the Bishop of Muvattupuzha visited the place and preliminary talks were conducted especially in New Zealand.
On 5 August 2017 Most Rev. Dr. Yoohanon Mar Theodosius was appointed as the Apostolic Visitator to Europe and Oceania. His Excellency made his first pastoral visit to Australia and New Zealand from 27th February 2018 to 13 March 2018.