The Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has visited Australia to celebrate a significant milestone for the Melbourne Eparchy.
Archbishop Rafael Thattil travelled from India to preside over the consecration of the new St Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Cathedral, located in the northern Melbourne suburb of Epping.
Named in honour of the first canonised saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the cathedral is a stunning example of Eastern Syrian ecclesiastical architecture, spanning 1711 square meters, with room for more than 1000 worshippers.
The cathedral also features a modern parish hall, classrooms for catechism, and ample parking facilities to serve as the spiritual centre of the growing Syro-Malabar community in Melbourne.
Acknowledged at the event was the first Eparchial Bishop of Melbourne, Bishop Emeritus Bosco Puthur who thanked the community for their years of hard work making the dream become a reality.
“I think they all worked hard despite the difficulties we had to delay many years due to COVID and other problems. Despite that, I think that people took to their heart the building of a cathedral, their dream came true,” Bishop Puthur said.
The current Eparchial Bishop of Melbourne Bishop John Panamthottathil who has overseen the final stages of the project also praised the collective effort that brought this vision to life.
“This cathedral stands as a testament to our faith and God’s providence. It is a place where generations will gather to worship and grow in their spiritual journey,” he said.
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo, unveiled the commemorative plaque, however the highlight of the day was the Solemn Celebration of the Holy Qurbana, led by Archbishop Thattil in a three-hour ceremony filled with singing and colour.
Sydney Bishop Richard Umbers said he was inspired by the archbishop’s homily, which thanked his fellow bishops from East and West and drew special attention to the welcome with which his priests have been accepted by the Latin Church.
“He shared that the community feel very much at home. He also stated that the strength of his own church is to be found not in buildings but in families as its building blocks,” Bishop Umbers said.
The Melbourne Eparchy is just one of four outside of India, with the others being in the UK, US and Canada.
It signifies the growing Syro-Malabar community in Australia. The number of Indian migrants to Australia has doubled over the past decade, to become the nation’s second largest overseas born community.
Also present were clergy, and dignitaries from across Australia, including Cardinal-elect Mykola Bychok and Archbishops Peter Comensoli, Mark Coleridge, Christopher Prowse and Julian Porteous. In addition, were bishops from across Australia and the world.
