Meet on Alphonsamma's canonisation on Nov 9

Kochi, Oct 10: Former President APJ Abdul Kalam will inaugurate on Nov 9 a public meeting at Bharanaganam in Kerala to mark the canonisation of Alphonsamma by Pope Benedict XVI on October 12.

Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) spokesperson Stephen Alathura said here the meeting will be chaired by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the 'Congregation for the Oriental Churches' (Pourasthya Thirusangham).

Apostolic Nuncio to India Pedro Lopez Quinthana and Cardinals Telesfore Toppo, Oswald Gracias Angelo, Mar Varkey Vithayathil and Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil and Mar Joseph Powathil will also attend the meeting.

Bharnanaganam in Kottayam District is the place where Alphonsamma's tomb is located.

Later, bishops from various churches in India will take part in a Thanksgiving Mass, led by Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathi, the Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.

As Pope Benedict XVI canonises Alphonsamma as a saint at 1330 hrs in Rome on October 12, special prayers will be held in all Catholic churches in Kerala, including the Syro-Malabar, Latin Catholic and Malankara denominations, Dr Alathura said.

UNI