Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Percival Holt
A Synod with an Ear to the Ground
The election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who took the name of Francis of Assisi, as the 266th Pope in 2013, stirred the Catholic Church as never before in its recent history. His speeches, actions, Apostolic Letters and Encyclicals were the beginning of a new era in the Church. He has now stimulated the Church by opening a synod process which has been described a unique initiative for the Church’s renewal.
A Decentralized Synod
The early Church was able to strengthen the unity of the Body of Christ, the Church, because all Christians nurtured relationships between the pastors and the faithful. We could find roots of “synodality” in the initiatives of the early Church. The ancient tradition, known as ‘Synod’, was revived by Pope (St) Paul VI in 1965, towards the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council.
A Wake-up Call to be ‘One Family’
My Synodal journey began with my participation at the Pre-Synodal meeting for Youth in Rome in March 2018, followed by my presence at the 15th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Youth Synod in 2018 as an auditor. Then came the Youth Forum in June 2019 and thereafter my appointment to the Commission on Methodology in June 2021 for the forthcoming Synod on Synodality which will culminate in 2023.
Church Attacks on the Rise
On October 3, around 13 attacks on churches were reported from across the country. Most of them were perpetrated by radicals alleging ‘conversion’. Over 200 radicals vandalized a local church at Solanipuram town in Roorkee and thrashed 10-15 people who were praying in a worshipping place. Twenty-one-year-old Rajat was severely beaten up and is fighting for his life. The church pastor had died of corona last year. His wife Mrs Sadhna Potter was running the church.
Opening a Window to Fresh Air
Fr. Varghese Alengaden is unlike any other priest; he is unlike any other motivational speaker, animator, trainer or writer. So his autobiography too should be unlike any other memoirs. The proof is in the pudding. His recently released ‘life story’ Ho Jayega (It will be Done) is a testimony to an inspiring life devoid of any facade or pretense.
Bob’s Banter by Robert Clements God in a Church, Mosque or Temple..!
As I see the infighting in our country and across the world, over construction of mosque or Jewish temple, and church or other religious shrines, or hear arguments, even threats over the opening of religious places even during these Covid times, I am reminded of Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, ‘Deeno Daan’ or ‘There is no god in that temple!’ ‘Said the royal attendant, “Despite entreaties, king, the finest hermit, best among men, refuses shelter In your temple of gold, he is singing to god...
Walking Together or Walking Behind?
As the preparations for the ‘Synod on Synodality’ are underway, I am captivated by the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus (We stand before you Holy Spirit). It is indeed a beautiful prayer. It has been historically used at Councils, Synods and other Church gatherings for hundreds of years. It is attributed to Saint Isidore of Seville who was born around 560 C.E. It is said that every session of the Second Vatican Council began with this prayer.
A Synodal Church in India
Pope Francis has convoked a Synod on Synodality with the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”. This is the XVI Ordinary Synod of Bishops. There have been also some Extraordinary and Special Synods. The Popes from St. Paul VI to the present Pontiff have convoked Synods to discuss some important issues in the life and mission of the Church. It is a way the Church lives and demonstrates collegiality.
JOURNEYING TOGETHER: In Communion, Participation and Mission
On 11 October 1962, Pope John XXIII (Papa Buono-The Good Pope, now Saint!) opened the historic Second Vatican Council fully convinced that it was time to “throw open the windows of the church and let the fresh air of the spirit blow through.” At the canonisation of John XXIII on 27 April 2014, Pope Francis said, “In convening the (Second Vatican) Council, John XXIII showed an exquisite openness to the Holy Spirit. He let himself be led and he was for the church a pastor, a servant-leader.
Focus on a Holier Church
At the special event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis gave a magisterial address with his reflections on the Synod and the Church. I remember walking back from the function with the Chilean Cardinal, and discussing the new insights the Holy Father had given. The Pope stressed that Synodality flows from the teachings of Vatican II and that the Church of today is called to be a Synodal Church.
Voice of the People of God is Different from the Voice of the Crowd: Cardinal Cleemis
(Following is the text of the interview Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, gave to Indian Currents in the wake of the Synod which was inaugurated by Pope Francis on October 10) Indian Currents: The Synod on ‘Synodality’ is expected to make the Church a more listening and participative one. Do you think this will become a reality for the Church in India ? Cardinal Baselios Cleemis: The Catholic Church is preparing to have another synod.
Synodality in the Footsteps of Jesus
When the German bishops returned to their homeland after the Council Vatican I, which proclaimed the universal supremacy of the Pope and his infallibility, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck mocked them. He told them that they had become simply foot-soldiers and officers of the Pope and had no power of their own. The following one hundred years of history until Vatican II bore witness to the juridically diminutive role of bishops.
Lakhimpur Kheri: The harvest of hate
About 15 years ago, we passed through Lakhimpur Kheri in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh. We were going on a holiday to Uttarakhand. We found that the area was populated by the Sikhs. Since we were at that time living in Chandigarh, we found the area similar to Punjab in many respects. In fact, we called the area a Mini Punjab. We had food at a Punjabi dhaba like the ones we were familiar with on the Chandigarh- Amritsar route.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Percival
Contact Percival, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack