Syro-Malabar Religious Conference (SMRC)
Syro-Malabar Religious Conference (SMRC) is a public association of Major Archiepiscopal Right in the Syro-Malabar Church with all rights, duties and privileges accorded to such associations in Common and Particular laws. Drawing inspiration from the church teachings and in view of promoting ever closer co-ordination and co-operation among themselves and with the hierarchy of the Syro-Malabar Church for effective witnessing of the Gospel message, several major superiors of the Religious Institutes of the Syro-Malabar Church came together and formed in 1981 the association of SMRC. The association gradually gathered support from many institutes of consecrated life and also was encouraged by the hierarchy of the Syro-Malabar Church.
On 25th December 2001 Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil CSsR, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church erected SMRC as a public association and approved its statutes ad experimentum for a period of five years. This period having been expired, the General Body meeting of SMRC held on 6th October 2008 at the Renewal Centre Kaloor decided to make certain modifications to the Statues and authorized the President to present the same to the Major Archbishop for final approval. Accordingly, Rev. Dr. James Mundackal CST, President of SMRC, presented the modified statutes to His Eminence of 4th November 2008. On 10th March 2009 the Major Archbishop graciously granted the final approval with few corrections. These corrections are incorporated in the statutes.
As per the finally approved statutes, all the men and women congregations of the Syro-Malabar Rite, societies of common life in the manner of religious life, secular institutes and other forms of consecrated life, and societies of apostolic life are members of SMRC. The Major Superiors of these congregations and societies or their representative’s meet together periodically to discuss and decide on various issues of common interest and concern. This association is also an effective means of dialogue between the hierarchy and the institutes of consecrated life for the betterment of pastoral ministry as well as for the advancement and promotions of consecrated life.