Our Ministries - Clergy and Religious Ministry

The Board for Clergy and Religious consists of the commissions for seminary training, ongoing formation of priest and religious and priests' welfare. The aim of this board is to reawaken the reality of priesthood and the charism of the religious in the particular context of Neyyattinkara diocese.

Priesthood is the call of God that invites one to strive for perfection, which requires knowledge of God and growth in holiness. Priests are, therefore, urged to acquire adequate wisdom and continuous perfection of their knowledge. In this way they will prepare themselves to enter with greater advantage for their pastoral ministry and dialogue with all people (Cf. Presbyterium Ordinis, 19; Optatam Totius, 22). The religious in the diocese are to be empowered for the better faith formation of the people. Pope John Paul II defines the purpose of religious life as "to scale the heights of love: a complete love, dedicated to Christ under the impulse of the Holy Spirit and, through Christ offered to the Father".

Priests and religious participate in the mission of Trinitarian God who is revealed though incarnation (God with us) of Jesus Christ. God with us experience is the community experience of Trinitarian God. From the beginning, God has granted us this life as His gift of love. It has to be nurtured through administering the sacraments and selfless service to the people. Understanding, animating and coordianting of human resource in view of building up of the community is the main purpose of this board.

Besides the general objectives and common structure of this board will have the following specific ends and areas of operations.

Specific Areas of the Commissions

Commission for Seminary Training
1. To evaluate the system of the diocesan seminary training and to see whether it ensures the human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions of holistic formation.
2. To assess periodically the performance of the teaching staff and the impact of their life on the students.
3. To evaluate from time to time the general discipline and the overall atmosphere of the seminary.
4. To help the seminary formators to introduce and adopt new techniques and methods in the present day seminary training, so as to enable the future priests to face squarely the present day challenges and demands.
5. To assess and evaluate the overall growth of the major seminarians and to conduct the vacation programme in relation with diocesan vision and mission.
6. To organize diaconate ministry and to prepare them for active ministry in the diocese.
7. To organize effectively the regency and summer vacation programme of major seminarians as a part of the seminary formation.
The members of this board shall carry out these fucntions mainly by participating actively in the periodical evaluation sessions organized by the seminary authorities. They shall not interfere with the day-to-day affairs of the seminary.
Commission for on-going formation of Priests & Religious
1. To take the lead to conduct the periodical Presbyterium and the annual retreat in an effective and orderly manner. To organize periodical get-together of priests of different age groups with a view to update themselves in theological and missiological approaches, depending and stregthening their spiritual life, acquiring new and effective skills for the ministry of evangelization.
2. To organize seminars, panel-discussions and colloquiums on the recent documents of the church as well as current social issues according to the needs of the diocese.
3. To identify and promote various talents and aptitudes of the young priests and suggest who is to be sent for specialization in different branches of ecclesiastical and secular studies.
4. To support the priests in times of struggles or crisis and be a source of consolation and encouragement to them.
5. To specify the duties and obligations of religious in the diocese.
6. To enable the religious to understand the social and cultural background of the diocese and guide them to involve effectively in different ministries of the diocese.
7. To foster better co-operation and co-ordination among the diocesan clergy and the men and women religious working in the diocese.
Commission for Priests' Welfare
1. To look after welfare of priests through the priests’ welfare fund.
2. To honour the priests who celebrate silver or golden jubilee of priesthood.