His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos

The First Bishop of Bathery

His Excellency Cyril Mar Baselios was born on 16th August, 1935 to Mr. Mathai Malancharuvil and Mrs. Aleyamma at Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, and was given the name James. Mr. Mathai Malancharuvil-popularly known as Pandalam Mathai Sir- was a close and faithful collaborator of His Grace Mar Ivanios of venerable memory and one of the front line leaders of the Reunion Movement. Realizing his efficiency, social status and genuine loyalty towards the Malankara Church and its Bishops, Mar Ivanios found in him a close collaborator and appointed him Mukthyaar (a person who acts as an intermediary in arranging or negotiating agreements). He bought many properties for churches and institutions including that of the Bethany Hills, a campus now filled with various institutions such as schools, colleges, ashram, religious houses and Malankara seminary etc., for the Archdiocese of Trivandrum as the wish and plan of his Metropolitan. After faithfully serving the Malankara Church, this lay leader passed away in 1977. Mrs. Aleyamma was called by the Lord in 1983, after seeing her son James raised to the Episcopate.

Right from his very childhood James was smart, intelligent, resolute and pious. Reciting the Rosary even from the early school days was a day by day spiritual exercise which he zealously practices even today despite his busy schedule as a bishop. James had his schooling in the locality itself. As a very young boy he had an ardent desire to embrace religious life and he prepared himself very earnestly to reach this destination. God was leading this young promising boy by the hand; through the renowned Archbishop Mar Ivanios, he found admittance in the Religious Community of the Imitation of Christ (OIC) in 1951. The zealous aspirant did make good progress as expected under the strict and high-principled guidance of late Rev. Fr. Joshua OIC at Chengannoor, the then Generalate of-Bethany Ashram. In conformity with the rules and regulations of the Congregation Bro. James was given a new name, Cyril. After making his temporary religious profession, Bro. Cyril was sent to the Papal Seminary, Pune where he obtained the degree of licentiate bath in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest in 1960 at the Papal Seminary by His Eminence Cardinal Agagiani.

Soon after the ordination, Fr. Cyril devoted himself for active mission work in and around Trivandrum. After a short period of fruitful apostolate in the missions, he was sent to Rome in 1961 for higher studies. He secured a Doctor's Degree in Canon Law with university medal from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome in 1965. The subject of his thesis was "Malankara Church", which was rightly extolled for its quality of being the first authentic study on the Syro-Malankara Church, substantiated by original sources. Fr. Cyril also attained a Diploma in Practical Canon Law for Religious from the Law School under the auspices of the Sacred Congregation for Religious, Rome. On his return to India, he was appointed Professor of dogmatic theology in St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam. His quest for knowledge, however, tempted him for another Master's Degree in psychology; in order to attain this aim he sought admission in St. John's University, New York in 1970, from there he took a Master's Degree in Psychology with first Rank.

Having returned from the United States in 1972, he pursued his career of teaching theology both in the St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam and in the Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Alwaye. He was Consulter to the Pontifical Commission for the revision of the Oriental Code of Canon Law since 1973. Serving in the "Commissio Technica" for the formation of the Indian priests set up by the CBCI (Catholic Bishops' Conference of India), Fr. Cyril also actively engaged in several regional and national consultations of the Church in India. On very many times he has been the official delegate appointed by the Holy See to run its mission on special occasions. As well-experienced and informed in ecclesial as well as in civil matters, it is nor at all tedious for him to find out amicable solutions for various problems with different natures. His special aptitude to avoid precipitations with a clear mind and logic while confronting challenges, is just one among many of his God-given talents.

In 1974 Fr. Cyril was elected Superior General of his Congregation, to which he was serving as a General Council Member since 1966. He did remarkably well for the benefit and growth of his Order. In the light of the Second Vatican Council he led the Congregation to renewal. Under his leadership Bethany moved into the educational field. The English Schools Girideepam in Kottayam and Mount Bethany at Mylapra are one among the many educational institutions he started. Thapovanam, the novitiate house of Bethany at Alwaye, remains a symbol of his vision of religious life. During this period he also served as the President of the Kerala Region (KCM.S) of the Conference of the Religious of India. He always found time to preach Retreats for Priests, Seminarians and Religious in many of the Dioceses, Seminaries and Religious Houses in Kerala and outside despite his busy schedule. Still he gladly continues this mission.

In response to God's ways and designs Fr. Cyril gave an unconditional "accipio" to his call to be a Bishop in the Malankara Church and he was nominated a Bishop by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on 28th October, 1978. Fr. Cyril was consecrated a Bishop with the name Mar Baselios along with His Excellency Isaac Mar Youhanon of Tiruvalla, on 28th December, 1978 at Mar Theophilos Nagar, Thirumoolapuram, Tiruvalla, by His Grace Benedict Mar Gregorios, the Arch-bishop Metropolitan of Trivandrum. The Malankara Catholic Church has begun a new page in its life and history with the erection of the new diocese of Bathery under the leadership of His Excellency Cyril Mar Baselios. To be a Bishop in the Church, says Mar Baselios in his first message, "is nothing but a deeper dimension of an answer to God to lead the faithful in faith, hope and love". From the existing situation and with a perspective of achieving an integral growth, bishop Cyril did silhouette the future build-up of his mission diocese from the very inception itself. A total application of his well-coined vision and action is thoroughly reflected in the end results of these sixteen years of dedicated service to the Church and to his people. Conjoining the various dimensions of human life, Mar Baselios sought to underline the apostolic mission of both the laity and the clergy with regard to announcing the reality of the Kingdom of God in a very specific and tangible manner. He envisioned a strategy that could grapple with particular circumstances of human life and thus was able to visualize the complex reality of human action into a unified endeavour to state the message of divine salvation.

A well-meant catch word in his emblem, "Trust in Love", is the basic thrust of all his activities. Sustained by this motto in life and action, all his ecclesial and non-ecclesial undertakings are to be seen as means to enable the people of God to respond to the designs of our heavenly Father. Ramification of the entire administrative mechanism without compartmentalization is a well acclaimed open system to foster co-operation, co-ordination and self-reliance. Pertinacious to lead the diocese towards an integral growth, it is beyond doubt, a well framed infrastructure was given shape within this short period of time A combination of high intellectual calibre and a profound sense of service enabled bishop Cyril to sort out the immediate and essential needs and thereby expediting the diocese to a high profile. A retrospective mode of operation, however, helps him to identify and categorize issues of prime importance for due action and thereby catering to the needs of the time. Evidently, bishop Cyril maintains a high sense of individual freedom and human respect which are notably very essential for any sort of collective enterprise.

Magnanimous in approach, Mar Baselios could, easily welcome anyone at any time irrespective of their identity and social standing. A melting heart making inroads into the real situation and problems of the people is an outstanding characteristic of his dealings. Apart from being a patron to his flock, Mar Baselios, is also extremely sensitive to the needs of others. A conspicuous indication in this regard is nothing but the various developmental projects of diverse nature and welfare activities undertaken in different parts of the diocese with the aim of attenuating the clutches of economic and social burdens. His desire to be with the "Adivasis" to share with them his "Agape" is another expression for his concern and love for the marginalized. Many other things could be mentioned, but suffice to say Cyril Mar Baselios is "Christ oriented" and "humane".

An ardent proponent of Eastern Catholic Traditions, Mar Baselios sets out a well balanced ecumenical perspective in his thoughts and activities. He is one of the founding Fathers of the Oriental Study Forum in India, which makes serious efforts in promoting Eastern Catholic Churches. In 1989 the Holy See appointed him a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Since 1988 he is a member of the International Dialogue Commission appointed by the Holy See. Very often his interventions are meant to be concise attempts to supply more clear vision and accurate historical data that should go into modern ecumenical discussions. Hopefully, this may enable the different churches to overcome the peril of unnecessary prejudices and apprehensions and thereby bring to fruition a perfect unity among the various sections of the Malankara Tradition in India. He participated in the special meeting of the Federation of the Asian Bishops' Conference at Bandung, Indonesia in 1990 as one of the official delegates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. Mar Baselios is an active member of the Indian Theological Association and a member of the Bishops-Theologians Dialogue Committee appointed by the CBCI. He is not only a well-known theologian and teacher but also a prolific writer. He has written numerous articles on ecumenism, ecclesiology, liturgy, etc, in leading periodicals and magazines.

His commitment to the Malankara Church is well known to those who know him. The selection of "Malankara Church" for his doctoral dissertation is only an indication to this line. As Seminary Professor he used to conduct seminars and study classes for priests and lay leaders throughout the Malankara Church. During the time of Second Vatican Council the non-catholic delegates from Kerala could experience the hospitality of Fr. Cyril in Rome. Mar Baselios keeps a wonderful relationship with the neighbouring dioceses both catholic and non-catholic. His ability to have friendship with any one despite the social standing brought him many friends in the national and international circles. The individuality and growth of Malankara Catholic Church is his deep concern. After his appointment as the Chairmen of the Malankara Episcopal Commissions for Seminary, Youth and Catechism, the Church has considerably grown in these areas. He is a visiting Professor in the Malankara Seminary. The Seminary is fast growing, Malankara Youth has become a well established youth forum of the Church, Catechetical texts are getting shaped by a team of experts etc; all of these are signs of the growth.

Malancharuvil family is blessed with priestly and religious vocations; bishop, two priests and four sisters. The late Rev. Fr. Mathai Malancharuvil served the Archdiocese of Trivandrum as the Director of Catechesis and the Manager of St. Mary's Press, Pattom. Rev. Fr. George Malancharuvil served the Archdiocese as Principal of Mar Ivanios College at Trivandrum and St. John's College at Anchal. He was actively involved in the formation of the Seminarians as their Spiritual Director at St. Mary's Malankara Seminary till he was called by the Lord on 22nd December, 1994. Rev. Srs. Helena (Bathery) Eugeinia (Trivandrum) Berchmans (Trivandrum) and Felicia (Bathery) render their meritorious services through the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ (SIC) in the Malankara Church in different capacities. His brothers include Mr.M.Abraham (Retd. Head Master), Dr. Jose Mathew (USA) and Mr.John Mathai lAS (Member, Revenue Board, Kerala).

With the demise of His Grace Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios, who passed away on 10th October, 1994, Mar Baselios has taken charge of the Malankara Catholic Church as its Administrator. His Grace was appointed the Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum and it was announced in publiv on 29th November 1995. The enthronement of His Grace took place on 14th December 1995 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum. As the Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum, His Grace received the Sacred Palium from the Holy Father Pope John Paul II on 9th January 1996 in Vatican.

The Malankara Syrian community that reunited with the universal Catholic Church in 1930 grew up rapidly. It preserved its ancient ecclesial patrimony and faith. The Holy See, having clearly understood and esteemed its luminous state, raised the Church as a Sui-juris Major Archiepiscopal Church with the rights and obligations envisaged in the Code of Canons for the Oriental Churches on 10 February 2005. His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos was the dazzling star of this Church, raised to this celebrity. Having carried out meritorious divine service in our Church as Bishop of Bathery from 1978 to 1995, as Administrator of the Malankara Catholic Church for an year from 1994-1995, as Archbishop of the Malankara Catholic Church from 1995- 2005 and as the First Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Church from 10 February 2005 to 18 January 2007, he has now joined the company of the Fathers of venerable memory.

His Beatitude was twice the Chairman of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council during the periods from 1996-1999 and 2004-2007. Again, His Beatitude was elected twice the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India during the period from 1999-2004. As permanent member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches of the Apostolic See, His Beatitude fared well as the spokesman of the Oriental Churches in the Universal Church. The rank of the Major Archiepiscopate, which the Malankara Catholic Church acquired, is but the reflection of the comprehensive view of His Beatitude, which led the Malankara Catholic Church to the top row of the Universal Catholic Church. As the First Major Archbishop and Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church, His Beatitude raised the prestige of the Church by being Syrian in tradition, Indian in culture and Christian in faith. His Beatitude's commendable tenet was that the Church is not for its own sake, but it is for the sake of the human community. His Beatitude, as the supreme head of the Holy Synod had the far-sightedness to lead the Church towards steady growth. The growth of the Eparchy of Bathery, the spread of the Malankara Catholic Church beyond the canonical boundaries within India and in foreign Countries, the erection of the Eparchies of Marthandom, Moovattupuzha and Mavelikara, the raising of Tiruvalla as an Archieparchy, the reinstating of the ranks of service in the Church, such as Remban and Corepiscopo and the honouring of some of the Rev. Priests of the Church by conferring on them these ranks are some of the contributions His Beatitude rendered for the growth of the Church. It is again His Beatitude who raised all the Most Rev. Metropolitans of the present-day Church to the Episcopate except the senior most Metropolitan of the Malankara Catholic Church, Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Timotheos.

His Beatitude proved himself as a worthy successor to the Most Rev. Metropolitans, Mar Ivanios and Mar Gregorios, sages who appropriated the vigour of Indian asceticism. We, who have inherited his visions, still continue our journey towards the Kingdom of God, relying on divine grace, without any hesitation. The Church has already started making arrangements for this onward march with unity of heart and mind. His Beatitude, the Catholicos submitted his soul in to the hands of God at 6.45 p.m., 18 January 2007 in the KIMS hospital, while Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas, several priests and the brothers and sisters of His Beatitude were praying. Immediately, the body was dressed in sacred vestments, brought and placed in the Major Archbishp's House for public veneration and prayer. Thereafter the body of His Beatitude was carried to the St. Mary's cathedral church, Pattom, accompanied by a large crowed of people and placed there for the public to pay their respects, by about 11.00 at night. On Saturday, January 20, at 10.00 a.m. the body was placed in front of St. Mary's pro-cathedral church, Palyam and afterwards it was taken back in procession to the cathedral church, Pattom. The mortal remains of His Beatitude was laid to rest in an atmosphere of devout prayer and with State-honour in the presence of all the Metropolitans of the Malankara Catholic Church, Most Rev. Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintano, the Papal Delegate in India and a number of Bishops, Priests, Religious, People's Representatives and a large crowd of Faithful. Thousands of people, including Religious heads, social and Political Leaders and those belonging to the higher strata of the society paid homage of tears at the feet of the demised prelate. Let us express our unbounded gratitude to them through our prayers before the Almighty.

The entire Malankara Catholic Church and especially the diocese of Bathery are profoundly ndebted to His Beatitude Cyril Mar Baselios for his commendable services and laudable leadership of the Church.