Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that the contributions of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram over the last 75 years were not restricted to religious activities, but to overall social development of the region, some of which helped the State as well.
Inaugurating a function held to mark the culmination of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the archdiocese here on Sunday, Mr. Chandy said one of its most significant contributions was to grant land for the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thumba. For this, Kerala society would always be indebted to the archdiocese, he said.
The archdiocese had also shown immense social commitment by taking initiatives in the educational and health sectors to uplift the coastal populace, thus making huge changes in the lives of the fishing community.
New shrine
Earlier, the valedictory began with the blessing of the newly constructed shrine of John Paul II, followed by a procession to Vettucaud St. Sebastian’s ground, the meeting venue. Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram M. Susaipakiam welcomed the gathering.
Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal Mar George Alencherry delivered the presidential address. Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India Cardinal Oswald Gracias honoured the new Monsignors while Major Archbishop and Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Baselios Cleemis gave the homily.
