Mumbai, Sep 20 (IANS): The head of the Catholic community, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed two Indians to the panel of 34 Synod Fathers for the Bishops' Synod scheduled in Rome next month, an official said here Thursday.

Archbishop Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Mumbai and Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, Prior-General, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, Kerala, will participate in the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of Synod of Bishops Oct 7-28. The theme of this synod will be 'The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith'.

According to UCAN, (a website disseminating Catholic world information), the Synod Fathers include 10 cardinals, one patriarch, 11 archbishops, eight bishops and four priests from around the world.

Besides the two Indians, an Asian, Archbishop Luis Antonoi G. Tagle of Manila, Philippines has also been appointed on the panel.

The Synod of Bishops was established September 1965 by Pope Paul VI. Its sessions are not open to the public.

The previous synod was held four years ago on 'The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.'