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General Structure

Administration of the Communities and Ministries in Europe

The administration of the Syro-Malabar Communities in Europe follows the age-old ecclesial system of Yogam.
This traditional structure ensures participation, transparency, pastoral coordination, and accountability at European, national, regional, and local levels.

The system of administration is organized as follows:

Yogam

The Yogam system is the foundational administrative structure of the Syro-Malabar Church.
In Europe, this system has been enacted and adapted to ensure effective pastoral governance while respecting both ecclesial tradition and civil legal frameworks of the respective countries.

European Pastoral Council

The European Pastoral Council is the principal consultative and coordinating body at the continental level.
Composition

  • The Apostolic Visitator
  • The Coordinator General
  • The General Coordinator
  • The Youth Apostolate Director
  • The Secretary
  • Priests in charge of the Syro-Malabar Communities in Europe
  • Trustees of the Communities in Europe
  • Headmasters / Headmistresses of the Communities in Europe

Purpose : This Council is entrusted with:

  • Receiving suggestions from the communities for improved pastoral care
  • Formulating pastoral strategies of the Visitation
  • Communicating decisions and identifying effective means for implementation

The European Pastoral Council was inaugurated on 3 July 2021 by His Beatitude Mar George Cardinal Alencherry.

National Pastoral Council

The National Pastoral Council functions at the level of individual countries and focuses on coordinated ecclesial planning.
Composition

  1. Priests in charge of the communities within the nation, under the presidency of the National Coordinator
    • The National Coordinator is appointed by the concerned Bishops’ Conference in consultation with the Apostolic Visitator
  2. Acting Trustees of the communities of the nation
  3. One representative from each community (preferably the Headmaster / Headmistress of Catechism)
  4. Heads (President / Secretary) of departments and ministries at the national level
  5. Members nominated by the National Coordinator
Functioning

Meetings are held quarterly
Focuses on common ecclesial planning at the national level
Ensures implementation of nationally agreed decisions within each community

Finance Section

A dedicated finance section maintains accounts of: Income & Expenditure related to national-level events and activities. This structure functions in a systematic and legally compliant manner, notably in Ireland, where it is registered as a trust in accordance with civil and ecclesial laws. Similar structured functioning exists in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and the Scandinavian countries.

Regional Pastoral Council

The Regional Pastoral Council coordinates pastoral activities at the regional level within a country.

Composition

  1. Priests in charge of communities within the region, under the presidency of the Regional Coordinator (appointed by the Apostolic Visitator)
  2. Trustees of the communities in the region
  3. Heads (President / Secretary) of departments and ministries at the regional level
  4. Members nominated by the Regional Coordinator

Functioning

  • Convened monthly
  • Evaluates pastoral care initiatives
  • Implements decisions taken at national and regional levels

This structure is also systematically functioning in Ireland, including legal trust registration where applicable.

Prathinithiyogam (Parish Council)

The Prathinithiyogam is responsible for the day-to-day administration of each community.

Presidency

  • The Priest in Charge serves as the President

Members

  1. Trustees
  2. Heads of departments, associations, movements, and ministries
  3. Two representatives from each family prayer unit
  4. Members nominated by the Priest in Charge

Functioning

  • Convened monthly
  • Reviews activities of the previous month
  • Plans activities for the forthcoming month

This system is practiced in all Mass Centres of the Visitation, except Youth Centres.

Pothuyogam (General Body of the Community)

The Pothuyogam represents the general assembly of the community.

Presidency

  • The Priest in Charge is the President

Members

  • Members of the Prathinithiyogam
  • Heads of each family or a designated family representative
    • Must be 21 years of age or above

Functioning

  • Convened annually for:
    • Evaluation of community activities
    • Offering suggestions to the Prathinithiyogam for final decisions and implementation
  • May also be convened at other times with due notice for matters of serious importance

This system is followed in all centres of the Visitation, except Youth Centres.

Under the guidance of the Priest in Charge, the Finance Council manages the financial affairs and expenses of each Mass Centre.

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