History of Syro Malankara Catholic Church 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.