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MESSAGE OF MAR MATHEW
MOOLAKKATTU
(Bishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, the
coadjutor bishop of Kottayam sent the following message for the Knanaya
Community in North America via e-mail before Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath
officially recognized the 10 Knanaya Missions in North America).
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Date: |
Mon, 20 Oct 2003 20:57:52 -0700 (PDT) |
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From: |
"John
Mathew" <marmmosb@yahoo.com> |
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Subject: |
On the knanaya missions |
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To: |
mutholath2000@yahoo.com |
Dear Rev. Fr.
Mutholath,
First of all my congratulations for all your efforts in achieving better
understanding between Bishop Angadiyath and our Community there in North
America. I hope that the establishment of the Knanaya missions in the
Syro-Malabar eparchy of Chicago according to the norms of the Church, will
certainly be a moment of great importance in the growth and development of our
Community in North America.
During my last visit to the States, together with our priests working for the
Knanaya Catholic communities there, we had a friendly talk with Bishop
Angadiyath in which we told him that we want the Knanaya missions exclusively
for Knanaya people, without denying pastoral care also to other people with
necessary authorization from their respective ecclesiastical authorities.
We also made it clear that according to our tradition only those born from both
knanaya parents will be considered kananaya, and that a non-knanaya spouse or
their children will not be considered knanaya even though the partner is a
knanaya. Although the bishop had shown great understanding with our
position, he did not give us a final word, but told that he wanted to have
further thinking and discussion on the matter before he could give a definitive
reply. We too suggested that the KCCNA also may be called for a next discussion
on this matter so that there will be clear understanding for them too regarding
the knanaya missions.
When the KCCNA was communicated the developments in this line and asked to
participate in the next meeting with the bishop, they had some hesitation to
participate in the said meeting, since they felt that there was no clear
indication from the part of the bishop regarding any change in his position from
that of October last. They did not want to go for a discussion with the
bishop till he clarified what he really meant by knanaya mission.
Moreover, we too were not in a position to give them cent percent assurance that
our proposal will be fully accepted by the bishop. In such a situation
they felt that it would be difficult for them to explain to the KCCNA members
their participation in the said discussion. Having understood their difficulty
we told them that in that case they could abstain from the discussion and the
priests can go ahead with the discussions, and before I left the States I had
informed bishop Angadiyath that in the proposed discussion, the KCCNA will not
participate, but the priests will continue.
I am glad that together with the priests you have taken up the issue where I had
left it and Bishop Angadiyath has agreed to what has been proposed by us in the
first meeting mentioned above. Now it is up to us to go ahead with the
establishment of the knanaya missions according to the norms of the Church and
give a clear ecclesiastical footing in the Syro-Malabar Church in North America
without sacrificing any of the valuable traditions of Knanaya community.
It is quiet natural that some of our people in North America are still little
confused regarding the establishment of the knanaya missions and they are afraid
that this move will be detrimental to the community. Now it is up to you
and the priests there
to make them understand that we are working for the good of the community and
that we will never sacrifice the precious values and traditions of the knanaya
community. Moreover, by sacrificing our community and its values we are
not going to gain anything, rather, if we hesitate to give a strong
ecclesiastical basis for the knanaya Catholic Community in North America at this
juncture, it can be fatal. So we have to go ahead with full faith in God
who has been leading this community in His hand even in situations worse than
the present. Now what you priests have to do is to have great
understanding for our people and especially to the KCCNA executive. Here in
Kottayam we can understand their anxieties and confusions. Please assure
them that we are trying not to destroy, but to build up and lead our community
to its flourishing in North America. You may remind the KCCNA of what I
have told them when I was there. Their vital role in maintaining endogamy
and other rich traditions of the community is great and significant. Tell
them to trust in God and stand with the pastors in giving courage and comfort to
the community. It will indeed be the greatest service they can render to our
community for which the coming generations will be grateful to them.
I have written this letter for you in the light of some news we receive here
from that part of the world. I do not blame any body if he or she fails to
find out the good intentions in this move. Be patient and kind with them,
and try to make them understand that if not for the good of our people and our
community, our priests are not going to be there. And the priests will be
able to do anything for the community only in an ecclesiastical setting.
Now that we have achieved it, all may work together for the good of the
community and the greater glory of God.
Our Bishop Mar Kunnacherry has endorsed this letter and sends his blessings to
you all. You may send a copy of this letter to all our priests there and tell
them to communicate it to our Community with great love and blessings of God for
which we bishops implore.
Kindly convey our loving regards to Bishop Angadiyath.
Invoking Gods blessings upon you all,
Mar Mathew Moolakkatt
(Coadjutor Bishop of Kottayam)
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