Brisbane archdiocese has welcomed two Carmelite priests and education experts from the Indian state of Kerala.

Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) Fathers Josekutty Vadakkel and Jose Thekkemuriyil, from Mysore province, will minister as associate pastors in the parishes of Annerley-Ekibin and Redcliffe, the Catholic Leader reports.

The priests arrived with the order’s provincial Fr Varghese Koluthara on February 15.

Their arrival follows visits to Mysore Province in 2009 and 2010 by archdiocesan Moderator Fr Peter Meneely and former Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary rector Fr Michael McCarthy to discuss appointments of CMI priests to Brisbane archdiocese.

Fr Koluthara, during his stay in Brisbane, also signed an agreement with Archbishop John Bathersby which will ensure the appointment of more CMI priests to the archdiocese.

The CMI provincial said during his meetings with Fr Meneely and Fr McCarthy he had been impressed by their “methodical approach and genuinely welcoming attitude”.

“I felt an immediate rapport and knew these were people who could be relied upon and so was very happy to continue the dialogue,” he said.

Fr Koluthara also referred to the proud traditions of the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate from which Brisbane archdiocese will now benefit.

“The CMI is very proud of the religious traditions of our Catholic religion and proud of our Indian traditions – at the same time we are open to other cultures,” he said.

“The CMI have 100 priests in Germany, more than 100 in USA and the arrival of two more priests from our order in Australia brings the total to 10.”

Education has been a key priority with the order.

“This was due to the leadership of Blessed Father Kuriakose Chavara – he was the brain behind the education development that has transformed the lifestyle of Kerala state.

“Because of him and the CMI, Kerala is now the leading state in education in India … It is also home to the strongest Catholic Church in India.”

SOURCE AND FULL STORY

Indian missionaries arrive (Catholic Leader)