Cardinal George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, presented the “Gem of the Orient” (Paurastyaratnam) Award to Joseph Powathil, Archbishop Emeritus of Changanacherry in Kerala, on September 12 at a function organized in the archbishop’s house in Changanacherry, south India.
Felicitating the Archbishop, Cardinal Alencherry said that Archbishop Powathil made unique contributions to reviving the original oriental traditions of the Syro-Malabar Church and developing a liturgical spirituality.
The award committee stated that Archbishop Joseph Powathil's contributions to the revival and preservation of the unique traditions of the church and to raising awareness among the people of God and invaluable.
The award recognizes those who have made contributions at any level to Eastern liturgical theology, liturgical art, and liturgical music and consists of 50,000 Indian rupees (US$750) and a Plaque of Recognition.
The Gem of the East Award is given by the Syro-Malabar Church Liturgical Commission and is instituted by Father Thomas Mannooramparabil who is a professor emeritus of liturgy at the Paurastya Vidya Pitham (Pontifical Oriental Institute), at Kottayam, Kerala.
Changanacherry Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam, Bishop Thomas Elavanal, the Chairman of the Liturgical Commission and Bishop Pauly Kannookadan, and Bishop George Mathtikandham, Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurakkal, the Curia Bishop, the members of the award selection committee and Father Thomas Mannooramparabil were present.
Cardinal Mar George Alenchery confers the first Gem of the East Award of the Syro-Malabar Church to Mar Joseph Powathil. Bishop George Mathtikandathil, Archbishop Joseph Perunthottam, Dr. Thomas Mannuramparampil, and Father Francis Pittappill are present.
Archbishop Powathil, born in 1932, was appointed Bishop of Knajirappally diocese in 1977 and later served as Archbishop of Changanacherry from 1985 to 2007.
He served as President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) (1994–1998), Chairman of Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) (1993–1996), and Chairman of the Education Commission of the CBCI.
He has been a member of the Post Asian Synodal Council in Rome, Italy since 1998, Chairman of KCBC Commission for Education (since 1986), Founder and Chairman of Inter-Church Council for Education, Chairman of Inter-Religious Fellowship, member of the Pro Oriente Foundation in Vienna, Austria (since 1993) and member of the Scientific Commission of International Publication ‘Oasis’ in Venice, Italy.
He has authored several books and published scores of articles on liturgy and eastern theology as well as on matters related to the Church and secular society, especially the field of education. He spends much of his retired life writing on church and social issues.
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