St Thomas Cross

SYRO-MALABAR CATHOLIC CHURCH

Placing You On the Path of Enlightenment

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church or Church of Malabar Syrian Catholics is an Eastern Catholic Major Archiepiscopal Church based in Kerala, India. It is a sui iuris particular church in full communion with the Pope and the worldwide Catholic Church, with self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. The Church is headed by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly in Kerala.

The Syro-Malabar Church uses the Liturgy of Saints Mar Addai and Mar Mari belonging to the East Syriac Rite, which dates back to 3rd century Edessa,as such it is a part of Syriac Christianity by liturgy and heritage. The name Syro-Malabar is coined from the words Syriac (referring to the East Syriac liturgy) and Malabar (the historical name for Kerala). The name has been in usage in official Vatican documents since the nineteenth century.The Church shares the same liturgy with the Chaldean Catholic Church based in Iraq. It is the third-largest particular church (sui juris) in the Catholic Church (after the Latin or Roman Church and the Byzantine Rite Ukrainian Catholic Church).

On 23 December 2013 Holy Father Francis established The Syro-Malabar Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle, Melbourne for Australia, the second Eparchy outside the territory after Chicago, USA. Pope Francis appointed Bishop Bosco Puthur, then Curia Bishop of Major Archiepiscopal Curia, Kerala, as the first Bishop/Eparch of the new Eparchy. Bishop Bosco Puthur was installed on 25 March 2014 in Melbourne.

​http://syromalabar.org.au/

History of  Syro-Malabar Community  in Townsville

St Catherine's Church, Proserpine

On July 3rd, 2009 The first Syro-Malabar Mass for the Syro-Malabar community in Townsville region was celebrated at St Catherine's Church, Proserpine by Fr.Jose Koyickal.

The frequency of Qurbana and the number of faithful attending increased over the years.  Townsville and the adjoining regions such as Burdekin, Bowen and Ingham saw a steady increase in Syro-Malabar faithfuls mainly due to the migration of a large number of Nurses & skilled Professionals from all parts of the world.

The Syro-Malabar faithfuls in Townsville are very much indebted to the services of Bishop Michael E Putney and the Syro-Malabar Priests working for the Diocese of Townsville, especially Fr Jose KOYICKAL CM,

Fr John KUNNATHUMADAPPILLIL OCD,

Fr Thomas PULICKAL OCD,

Fr Abraham CHERIPURAM,

Fr Sibichan KAIPPANPLACHAL and

Fr Joshy JOHN OCD.

Fr Mathew AREEPLACKAL was appointed as the first resident Chaplain to the St Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Mission Townsville in March 2018.

On October 4th, 2018 St.Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Mission was raised to the status of a Parish by Bishop Mar Bosco Puthur. Fr Mathew AREEPLACKAL was the first Parish Priest for St Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Parish Townsville.

The Syro-Malabar Community in Townsville is blessed with Holy Mass in Malayalam every day at Mary Mackillop Church, Mundingburra.

Mary Mackillop Church, Mundingburra

Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry

in Townsville December 2012

Cardinal Mar George Alencherry

Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

Mar Bosco Puthur

Our Bishop

First Bishop of the Syro Malabar Catholic Diocese of Melbourne, Australia

Most Reverend Timothy Harris

Bishop of Townsville

Safeguarding Children

Safeguarding refers to the range of plans and activities that are put in place to protect children and adults who may be vulnerable to abuse and neglect from being exploited or harmed.

Safeguarding in the church community – making our churches safe for children, young people and vulnerable adults – is everyone’s responsibility.

The diocesan safeguarding team provides professional advice and training to parishes to ensure they can meet that responsibility, as well as support those who may have suffered abuse or exploitation in a church setting.

Everyone involved in church life should know what to do in situations where a child, young person or vulnerable adult may have been harmed. Each parish or benefice should have in place a safeguarding person who knows how to respond and where to seek further help and advice.

Anyone who wishes to report abuse or exploitation needs to know that they can do so and receive the support they need.

Parish Safeguarding Officer

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Mr. Christin Mathew

Ph- 0478297007 

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The role of the Parish Safeguarding Officer is to provide support, advice, and information on all matters concerning the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in the parish.

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If you have any queries

Please email Diocesan Safeguarding  Office

safeguarding@syromalabar.org.au

Safeguarding Policy

Code of Conduct

Definition of Child Abuse

Disclosure of Child Abuse

Parish Safeguarding Officer

Craig Brereton

Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator

Catholic Diocese of Townsville

Ph: (07) 4726 3264
E: cbrereton@tsv.catholic.org.au

Queensland Professional Standards Office - Catholic Church

Ph: 1800 337 928 (free call)
E: psoqld@catholic.net.au

Queensland Police Service

Emergency. 000

Policelink. 131 444 (Request a receipt QPRIME number for your records)