All Kerala Catholic Congress

The All Kerala Catholic Congress (AKCC or Catholica Congress or Syro-Malabar Catholic Congress) is an organisation of the laity under the Syro-Malabar Church. AKCC stands for the overall progress of the Syro-Malabar Catholic community and for the protection of civil and fundamental rights in respect to the religious, social, cultural, educational and economic aspects.

All Kerala Catholic Congress
AbbreviationAKCC
Formation1918 (1918)
TypeINGO
PurposeInternational umbrella organization of laity under Syro Malabar Church
HeadquartersErnakulam,  India
President
Adv. Biju Parayannilam
General Secretary
Rajeev Kochuparambil
Treasurer
Dr Joby Thomas Kakkassery
Websitecatholiccongress.org

AKCC, previously known as 'Keraleeya Catholica Mahajanasabha', was formed in 1918.[1]

The patron of AKCC is Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, Major Archbishop (Head) of the Syro-Malabar Church while its Bishop Legate is Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil and Global Committee Director is Fr Geo Kadavi.

History

Ollur Varshikam: Souvenir of 25th session of All Kerala Catholic Congress

The idea was supported by senior clergies of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate based in Mannanam and Nidhiry Mani Kathanar. Based on the idea, a meeting of members belonging to Syrian Christian community was organised in Alappuzha in 1907. The members continue to meet annually and in its eleventh meeting at Athirampuzha in 1917, they decided to form a community welfare organization.[1]

Subsequently, on April 30, 1918, Keraleeya Catholica Mahajanasabha was formed. Mar Aloysius Pazheparambil was the first president. John Nidhiry was named the first president of the Almaya Forum in 1929. The organisation adopted the present name, All Kerala Catholic Congress, in 1931.[2]

AKCC opposed the nationalisation of private schools put forward by Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer. AKCC cooperated with the Travancore State Congress in the protest. AKCC was in the forefront of Vimochana Samaram, which led to the dissolution of the First Namboodiripad ministry in 1957.[1]

Annual meetings

The annual meetings of the organisation are listed below.[2]

Community meetings

Year Place President
1907 Alappuzha Sri Cyriac Nidheeri
1908 Pulinkunnoo I.C. Chacko
1909 Champakulam J John Nidheeri
1910 Edathua C. Anthappai
1911 Pala V.D. Ouseph
1912 Njarackal C.V. Antony
1913 Thrissur I.C. Chacko
1914 Irinjalakuda Cyriac Nidheeri
1915 Ollur Joseph Thaliath
1916 Kuravilangad Fr John Palocaren
1917 Athirampuzha C. Anthappai

Keraleeya Catholica Mahashabha’ meetings

Year Place President
1918 Changanassery Dr Thomas Kurialacherry
1919 Ernakulam Mar Aloysius Pazheparambil
1920 Aluva C. Anthappai
1921 Bri Kochi Fr Cruze
1923 Alappuzha Dr Alexander Chulaparambil
1924 Thathampally Msgr Antony Puthussery
1925 Thrissur Dr Francis Vazhapilly
1926 Panapalli Fr John Palocaren
1927 Pala Chev. A Ratnaswami
1929 Athirampuzha Dr James Kalacherry

All Kerala Catholic Congress meetings

Year Place President
1930 Cherthala Dewan Bahadur Arogyaswami Muthaliar
1931 Muvattupuzha Mar Ivanios
1932 Champakkulam Sri George Joseph
1933 Ernakulam T.J. Mathew
1934 Alappuzha Francis Xavier D'souza
1935 Edathua C.V. Antony
1936 Chittattukara Dr Francis Tiburtius Roche
1942 Kainakary Dr P.J. Thomas
1943 Pala I.C. Chacko
1945 Kanjirappally Dr Leo Proserpio S.J.
1946 Athirampuzha Chev. A Ratnaswami
1947 Ernakulam C.A. Ouseph
1948 Thathampally Chev. Joseph Thaliath
1949 Pala (Special session) (For passing resolution)
1949 Ramapuram Chev. Joseph Thaliath
1950 Ollur E.P. Varghese

The centenary meeting of AKCC was held at Thrissur during 11–14 May 2018 and it was inaugurated by Cardinal George Alenchery. The slogan of the centenary conference was 'Secularism for the progress of the country’.[3]

First Global Meet of Catholic Congress was held at the Meydan Hotel, Dubai during 30 September - 1 October 2019, which was part of 101st meeting of the organisation. 300 delegates from 26 countries participated in the Meet.[4]

References

  1. "കത്തോലിക്കാ കോൺഗ്രസിനു ജന്മശതാബ്ദി". Malayala Manorama. Kerala, India. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  2. Ollur Varshikam. Ollur: Akkara Lonappan John. 1951. p. 1.
  3. "Catholic Congress gears up for fete". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. "ആഗോള കത്തോലിക്കാ കോൺഗ്രസ് സമ്മേളനത്തിന് ദുബായില്‍ തുടക്കമായി". Asianet News. Duabi, United Arab Emirates. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
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