Bangalore 1 February 2021 (CCBI): His Holiness Pope Francis has bestowed on Cyril John the Title of Chevalier (Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great). This is the fourth highest Papal order in the Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great. Pope Gregory XVI established the order on 1 September 1831 by the Papal brief Quod Summis. The title has been given for his distinguished service to the Church at the diocesan, national, continental, and international level, especially through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Presently Cyril is a member of CHARIS International Service of Communion which was constituted in 2018 on the personal initiative of Pope Francis.
He started his servant leadership role as leader of his parish prayer group in 1993; was Chairman of the Diocesan Service Team for 6 years (1994-2000); Member of the National Service Team of the CCR in India (1995-1998); Chairman of the National Service Team of India (2001-2010); member of International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) (2004-2007) and its Vice-President (2007-2015). He was also Chairman of ICCRS Sub-Committee for Asia-Oceania (ISAO) (2006-2019).
He played a major role in promoting, strengthening, and consolidating the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India and in the Asia region.His special charism is intercession, specially prophetic intercession – a topic that he has developed, which has been well accepted in the Church all over the world. He has travelled to several countries on mission, and especially to conduct training courses on prophetic intercession. Cyril is the author of 5 books – ‘Spurred by the Spirit’, ‘Come, let us Celebrate the Holy Eucharist’, ‘The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India – An Appraisal’, ‘Pray Lifting Up Holy Hands and ‘Prophetic Intercession’, some of which have been translated into as many as 16 languages. It was based on a personal inspiration that he received that a retreat centre – Jeevan Jyoti Ashram – was established in Delhi that can accommodate 200 people for residential programs.
He has also served the Archdiocese of Delhi as a Parish Council Member, Eucharistic Minister and Diocesan Pastoral Council Member. Cyril has served Lok Sabha Secretariat, Lower House of Indian Parliament for 34 years and retired in 2016 as Joint Secretary and Chief of Protocol.
Rev. Dr. Stephen AlatharaDeputy
Secretary General, CCBI