Archbishop Raphael Thattil, leader of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India, is on a pastoral visit to northern Arabia and calls on local pilgrims to maintain a “strong connection” with their faith and heritage, while making a “positive contribution” to their new environment.
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North Arabia, Friday, November 22, 2024 (Vatican News): Archbishop Raphael Thattil, patriarch of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India, on a pastoral visit to northern Arabia, called on local pilgrims to maintain a “strong connection” to their faith and heritage, as well as “contribute positively” to their new environment.
northern arabia tour
Archbishop Raphael Thattil, Patriarch of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, during a visit to Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, offered Mass for local Catholics and met with church officials and people from the local Syro-Malabar community.
Many followers of the Kerala-based Syro-Malabar Church work in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, and Syro-Malabar Catholics have a strong presence around the world due to the high number of migrant workers. All the countries mentioned above are under the Apostolic Administration of North Arabia.
Archbishop Raphael Thattil in Kuwait
A press release issued by the Apostolic Administration of North Arabia said the purpose of Archbishop Thattil’s apostolic visit was to “strengthen bonds of faith and solidarity with local communities, spiritual leaders and followers.”
The press release adds that in the Masses and liturgies offered by the Archbishop, he highlighted the importance of “unity and trust in the community” in addressing the “challenges of contemporary life.”
In his meetings with local Syro-Malabar communities composed almost entirely of immigrants, Monsignor Thattil stressed the importance of “maintaining faith in the Lord Christ and strong ties to the heritage of the Church,” as well as “positively underlining the need to contribute.”
Archbishop Thattil was accompanied by Bishop Aldo Berardi, Vice President of the Apostolic Administration, who commented on the visit saying that “the visit has reinforced the spiritual commitments of the local Syro-Malabar community” and the “active participation in the wider community “. The importance of has been highlighted.
