Latin Archdioceses platinum jubilee celebration

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram is planning to establish a nursing college and a marine technology college, among other things, during its one-year-long platinum jubilee celebrations, which will formally open on Sunday.Addressing a press conference here, Archbishop M Soosai Pakiam said that the Archdiocese also plans houses for 75 poor families, a spirituality centre for the faithful, a counselling centre and an office complex. ‘’We have already started work on a football academy and a chapel commemorating the late Pope John Paul II at Shangumugham,’’ Soosai Pakiam said. The Synod of Archdiocese, which will be announced on Sunday, will chart out a 25-year road map for the 75-year-old Archdiocese, Soosai Pakiam said.The Synod will lead the Archdiocese’s efforts at introspection and overcoming shortcomings in its service to the faithful, he said. Finance Minister K M Mani will inaugurate the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Archdiocese, and the Synod will be announced the same day. ‘’This is an occasion for us to introspect and correct failings, if any. The Synod, which will not be a permanent setup, will guide the Archdiocese in its future activities. It will deliberate for a week and formulate a policy for the next 25 years,’’ Soosai Pakiam said.Seventy-five years ago, the Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese was carved out of the centuries-old Kollam and Kochi dioceses. Today, the Archdiocese is 2.44-lakh strong, covers 686 sq km, has 76 parishes, eight foranes and 33 missions.The Archbishop also announced the Bishop Peter Bernard Pereira Excellence Award on the occasion. Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust, Thiruvananthapuram, director Ananda Kumar will be awarded the ` 50,000 cash prize and citation. At the Archdiocese level, the award winner is Matsyafed board member P Felix Puthukurichi. He will be awarded Rs 25,000 and citation. The Finance Minister will inaugurate the platinum jubilee celebrations at 2.30 pm at the Bishop Pereira Hall on Saturday. The Archbishop will preside over the function. The Synod will be declared open at the St Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Palayam, at 5 pm the same day.