Newspaper Article Translation

Lectures-Series in Honour of Fr. Dr. Felix Wilfred and Honouring the “New Gamaliels” (organized by a alumni of IMRI).

On the 13 th December 2024, in the Retreat Centre at Vailankanni, three events were

combined in a well-organized meeting presided over by Cardinal Charles Bo, archbishop of

Archbishop of Yangon and the President of the FABC. Rev.Dr R.K.Samy introduced the significance of this event in a world renowned Marian Shrine at Vailankanni,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LX7codbU0o&t=49s 

The first event was the biennial Lectures Series in honour of Dr. Felix Wilfred delivered by Cardinal Bo on the “New Frontiers of Mission in Asia” and Fr. X . D. Selvaraj on the “Changing Scenario and the Evolving Challenges of Ministries in the Church in Tamil Nadu.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpfgkX5j5aY&t=76s

The second event marked the release of two books by Dr. Felix Wilfred: the first in English,

“The Shrines are the Wellsprings of Salvation,” edited by Fr. Dr. R. Kulandaisamy, and the second in Tamil, “Ecumenism in the Local Church: Sacraments, Mother Mary, Veneration of Saints and Joint Actions,” authored by Fr. Dr. Sebastian S. Karambai.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVAgHZpZOlk&t=785s

The third most significant event was the honouring of the “New Gamaliels”. Just as Gamaliel

rose to speak the truth by using his wisdom and status for the cause of justice and common good (Acts 5:33-39), eleven persons from Tamil Nadu were recognized and honoured as the “New Gamaliels.” Most Rev. Francis Kalist, the Archbishop of Pondicherry & Cuddalore along with Cardinal Bo and other Bishops honoured them with gold medals, crowns, elakkai malai and felicitations. This unique venture intends to recognise and perpetuate the legacy of Dr. Felix Wilfed, the most prolific writer and thinker of our age, in a similar vein to how the birthday of Dr. Radhakrishnan is celebrated as “Teachers Day” in India. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA0NZ2uA8gw&t=457s

The Bishop of Thanjavur Most Rev. T. Sagayaraj along with the Shrine Administration and

the “Circle of Friends” (Freundekreis) made an elaborate and highly appreciable arrangement. The impact of this meeting continues to reverberate among the laity. Around 350 persons including Most Rev. Bishops Remigius, Yuvon Ambrose, Rayappan, Anandam and Amir, participated in the events.

Dr. Felix Wilfred said the students are his joy and pride. He thanked the Bishop of Thanjavur for his encouragement of such initiatives. He elaborated that the gathering is the Church assembled and in fact reflects the synodality. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVAgHZpZOlk

Father Wilfred Felix a renowned Theologian and who was a member of International

Theological Commission, said Rev. Dr. R.K.Samy is the key person and brain behind this event.