Australia’s Syro-Malabar Catholic community marked a historic moment on Saturday with the consecration of St Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Cathedral in the Melbourne suburb of Epping. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The event was a culmination of more than a decade of prayer, dedication and united effort by a community that has grown significantly since its early days in the 1960s.
The cathedral, dedicated to St Alphonsa, serves as a spiritual home for Australia’s Syro-Malabar faithful and as a testament to their profound commitment to their faith and traditions
The consecration ceremony, led by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, brought together clergy, bishops, dignitaries and faithful from across Australia and beyond.
In his opening address, Bishop John Panamthottathil CMI, of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle, spoke of the perseverance and faith of the Syro-Malabar community.
“Historically, the journey of Syro-Malabar faithful to the shores of Australia began in the 1960s,” he said.
“This journey has not been without its hardships and trials. But through it all, God has been our constant companion and guide.”
He celebrated the cathedral as a “landmark event for our community across Australia, New Zealand and Oceania”.
The liturgy included blessings, prayers, Holy Qurbana (Holy Eucharist) and a solemn anointing of the altar and walls of the cathedral, rich in the symbols and traditions of the Syro-Malabar Church.
The Major Archbishop, in his homily, reminded the congregation of their missionary role as migrants.
He also expressed “with emphatic emotions” his conviction that the Church “is not one reality” but “a communion of churches”.
While the Latin Church under the leadership of the Pope might predominate, he said, “all other churches are different gifts of the Holy Spirit”.
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A dream comes true at consecration of Melbourne’s Syro-Malabar Cathedral (Melbourne Catholic)
