April 28,2024- Kilucan, Ireland

The canonical erection of the Irish delegation of the Indian Province and the formal installation of the new Provincial delegate and the council members took place in the chapel of St. Camillus monastery, in Kilucan. The ceremony started at 3.00 p.m. with a prayer service in the monastery chapel where all the members of the Irish delegation gathered.  Rev. Fr. Bijoy Kuliraniyil, the Provincial along with Fr. Teji Anikkattuvayalil, the Vicar Provincial and Fr. Jofree Nakuzhikattu the councillor led the prayer service. During the prayer service the new Provincial delegate Br. John O’Brien and the delegation council members Rev. Fr. Vincent Kakkadampallil and Rev. Fr. Jaison Narikuzhiyil took oath as the new team.

After the prayer service the members moved to the seminar hall adjacent to the chapel for the formal meeting. Fr. Bijoy in his address welcomed everyone and congratulated the new Provincial delegate and the council members. Fr. Bijoy gratefully acknowledged the service of Fr. Stephen Foster as the animator of the Anglo-Irish Province for the past 17 years. Some of the points he mentioned in his address encompassed the following: unity in mission, openness to new ministry, embracing diversity, commitment to Camillian values, collaboration and partnership, nurturing the spiritual formation, culture of hospitality and trust in the providence of God. He finished on a gratitude note stating the dedicated service of the Irish Camillians in the healthcare ministry in Ireland while also emphasizing the need for renewed vision and zeal for the future of Camillian ministry in Ireland.

Bro. John O’Brien the new Provincial delegate while giving his maiden address thanked his predecessor Fr. Stephen Foster for guiding the Anglo-Irish province in the past. He noted that this is a new beginning and a real sign of hope. “Together we can move forward”, commented Bro. John as he concluded his words. Rev. Fr. Stephen in his words of appreciation congratulated the new team and thanked Fr. Bijoy and the council members for their time and availability.  He acknowledged the history of Irish Camillians especially those pioneers, and expressed his hopes that the delegation would remain faithful to its immemorial past. Fr. Jofree thanked all the speakers and invited everyone to furnish the gathering with comments and suggestions. Appreciation and comments from the members ranged across a spectrum of areas. Before the meeting drew to a close, Fr. Jaison proposed a formal vote of thanks. Prior to the refreshments everyone visited the cemetery of our Irish confreres and prayed a decade of rosary as one community.

Fr. Russel Tharappel, MI