Great Britain Syro-Malabar Eparchy Releases Anniversary Souvenir Burksa in London

The Eparchy of Great Britain of the Syro-Malabar Church released its tenth-anniversary souvenir titled "Burksa" in London. Cardinal Mar George Koovakkad officially launched the book at the Immaculate Church in Tolworth by handing a copy to the Vatican's Nuncio to Britain, Archbishop Mar Miguel Maury Buendia. Westminster Archbishop Mar Richard Moth, Birmingham Archbishop Mar Bernard Longley, Trichur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, Nottingham Bishop Mar Patrick McKinney, Westminster Auxiliary Bishop Mar James Curry, England and Wales Catholic Bishops' Conference Secretary Canon William Agli, and the Vatican Apostolic Nunciature Secretary and Head of Mission Monsignor Antje Vidovish were also present at the ceremony.

Souvenir Details

The souvenir marks a decade of achievements, activities, and divine blessings for the diocese. It features articles on the liturgy, theology, spirituality, discipline, and culture of the Syro-Malabar Church, alongside messages from church leaders including Pope Leo, and reports on various diocesan events held over the past ten years. Tom Bijo Thomas from the Manchester Withington St. Thomas the Apostle Mission designed the cover. The publication is intended to serve as a reference book in the future and will be provided free of charge to all families in the diocese, with an online version also made available.

Context

Souvenirs of this kind are often published by religious communities to document their history and milestones for future generations. The Syro-Malabar Church is one of the 23 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Pope. Eparchies function similarly to dioceses in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.