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New Jersey Aug 17 2005:
A Memorandum was handed over to Dr. Alexander Karackal, Sabha
Secretary of Malankara Orthodox Church at a Civic reception
given to him at Bergenfield, New Jersey by leaders of Kerala
Christian Community of America.
The Kerala Christian community requested Dr. Karackal to convey
to all warring factions of the ancient Malankara Christians and
their leaders the deeply hurt feelings and concern at the
non-Christian path followed to resolve the half a century old
dispute. The Memorandum was presented by Alex Vilanilam Koshy
and signed by the leading community leaders of North East USA.
The speakers like T.S. Chacko, Andrew Pappachen, Prof. Sunny
Mathew,Varghese Plamoottil,Annamma Mapillassery,Vicars of
Catholic and Marthomite churches also expressed their concern
while appreciating Dr. Karackal for his excellent leadership
shown at this crucial time.
Dr. Karackal the Orthodox Sabha Secretary and Philipose Philip
the Orthodox Sabha Managing Committee member from USA assured
all positive actions and hoped that within the near future all
issues would be resolved with the help of God's Guidance. |
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MEMORANDUM
TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CONTESTING CHURCH FACTIONS IN KERALA
FROM CONCERNED KERALA CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA
This Memorandum is submitted by a few concerned Malayalee
Christians from various denominations living in the US, for the
urgent consideration of the leadership of the warring church
factions in Kerala, whose words and actions are a matter of
grave concern to the Christian community all over the world.
Two Christian factions of Kerala Christians have been engaging
in legal suits against each other for more than half a century,
and it has reached a stage of street fights, demonstrations,
destruction of public property, and attack on public servants.
The leadership of both factions instigates their followers to
take law into their hands, and manipulate the elected political
leaders for their material gains. Leaders of other Christian
groups in Kerala are either indifferent or have given up their
attempts to resolve the issues on Christian principles.
Regrettably, some political leaders who only want to ‘fish in
troubled waters’ have no interest in ending the conflict. The
result is that we have become an object of scorn and ridicule,
and are bearing a false witness before the world. And the ripple
effect is felt even here on the far away shores of United
States.
Both factions have bred a generation of blindfolded ‘Faith
Protectors’ who, knowingly or unknowingly, add oil to fire. It
has to be noted that similar situations existed in many troubled
parts of the world as prelude to the birth of movements such as
‘talibanism’ and ‘al-queda’. So, it is up to the present
generation of leaders in the community to realize the dangers
lurking behind such negative forces, and correct their words and
actions at the appropriate time to prevent catastrophic
disasters.
We, Christians from Kerala who have settled in America, respect
all Christian leaders of Kerala and work hard to keep the light
of faith burning, and to pass it on to the subsequent
generations. We look to our roots to get inspiration from, and
to find role models for our children. Unfortunately, the news
from home of actions by our Christian brothers and sisters,
especially that of the warring factions, is terribly
disappointing and disheartening.
The generation that gave rise to the ‘issues’ behind the fracas
has gone behind the curtain. They lived in a very different
world with very different perceptions. This generation of ours,
with a broader worldview, living in a world without borders,
must be able to settle this for ever.
We, therefore, appeal to all concerned to put an end to all
types of lawsuits and political maneuvers to resolve issues
among themselves, with guidance from the teachings of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
We make the following suggestions for the serious consideration
of the two factions of Malankara Orthodox/Jacobite Christians in
Kerala and elsewhere:
1. Obey the law of the land and the final verdict of the Supreme
Court of India.
2. Open all churches for the worship of all, irrespective of
factional belonging.
3. Allow the dead to be buried in the cemeteries where their
ancestors were buried.
4. Even if the Supreme Court grants ownership of churches and
property to any particular faction, let a church be owned and
administered by the faction that has majority of membership in
that parish. This is to be done as a benevolent gesture (as
shown by Father Abraham while dividing the properties) by the
‘actual owner’ identified by law. At the same time the minority
faction should be provided with another place of worship and
facilitate using of cemetery as a common property.
5. Alternately, both the factions could manage all disputed
church properties jointly. [Example is the joint management of
Chengannur Cheria Pally by Marthomites and Jacobites even after
150 years’ of separation!]
6. Accept each other as ‘Brothers in Christ’, fully surrendering
the egos, legalities, and technicalities before the
all-embracing Love of the Lord Jesus Christ, so as to leave a
true ‘Christian Legacy’ for the future generations.
The following signatories representing different Kerala
Christian communities in America, present this Memorandum to Dr.
Alexander Karackal, Sabha Secretary of Malankara Orthodox
Church, with a request to convey it to all concerned, and to the
general public in Kerala.
We pray and hope that Christian charity and humility will
prevail upon all decision makers of the factions, and His Wisdom
will guide and strengthen them in their attempt to establish
peace in the Christian world.
Place: Bergenfield, New Jersey, USA
Date: August 16,2005
1. Alex Vilanilam Koshy
Chairman, Kerala Association of NJ
Board Member NJ State MLK Commission
Board Member World Malayalee Council
2. Mr. T.S. Chacko
Board of Trustee Member, FOKANA
3. Andrew Pappachen
Global Chairman, World Malayalee Council
4. Prof. Sunny A. Mathews
Regional Chairman, World Malayalee Council
Board of Trustees Member, Bergen County Malayalee Christian
Fellowship
5. Dr. George Jacob
Advisory Board Member of World Malayalee Council
6. Mr. George Abraham
Founding Board Member, Federation of Indian American Christian
Organizations in North America (FIACONA), NY
Founding member and Coordinator, Indian Christian Forum (ICF)
7. Varghese Plamoottil
Executive Committee Member, Kerala Cultural Forum
9. Annamma Mapillassery
Vice President, Kerala Cultiral Forum, NJ
!0. Kurian Abraham
Exec. Director, Kerala Christian Adult Homes Inc., NY
11. T.V.John
Vice Chairman, WMC NJ Province |
