The decision to construct a new presbytery for St Mary’s Forane Church, Kidangoor by the Parish Priest, Parishners and the general body is absolutely justified and appears to be one of the important needs of the time. Very recently, within the Christian community, constructing new buildings or developing existing facilities for the church is creating unwanted controversies. The basic reasons for these objective- less discussions are missing information or misinterpretation of the available information, which is likely to do more harm than good.
The news item at Kidangoor Express clearly states that the existing presbytery is 72 years old, which might be the oldest building in Kidangoor after Sri Subramania Swamy Temple. Hope everyone understands the importance of constructing a shelter, which protects the inhabitants from nature’s fury and a place to rest after your tiring day work. Another important factor is the same shelter shouldn’t be hazard for the inhabitants. By considering the building technologies and standard of building materials available in India 72 years before, it is purely Mother Mary’s blessings kept that building standing so long.
Again does any UK Keralite live or own any property so old, most of the houses in Kidangoor and nearby are new, many of them constructed brand new houses after demolishing their existing excellent properties. This is not only the case for people from Kidangoor, but for all Malayalees, thousands of empty bungalows, built using NRI money is a becoming not only a national waste but a burden for local government. There are instances of spending upto 2.4 crores for single bungalows in Kidangoor and off course there are several bungalows more than five crores in nearby areas.
Any church is holy, when regular mass and worships takes place and without a priest, the same is not possible, there are hundreds of examples around us in UK. How many churches are being transformed for other uses and lost their historical importance and values. Safety of the Priest is as important as the church, so the Presbytery, where the priest lives.
A developed country like UK have qualified and experienced health and safety officers regularly inspects old properties for their structural safety and use-worthiness, whereas the undeveloped or developing country like India, cannot afford these inspectors. It’s absolutely down to the users to determine whether their homes are safe or not. Kidangoor St Mary’s church parish members are matured enough to realise this fact, it’s their responsibility to ensure the safety of their parish priest.
One of the many signs of any nation’s development is all these new buildings and suitable transports for their citizen’s convenience. Also I understand, Volunteer donations are expected from any member not compulsory contributions as misinterpreted.
It appears my anonymous friend conveniently ignored the other news item in Kidangoor Express, the high quality charity work by those auto-rickshaw drivers. Please Click Here to read the news again.
By seeing these unconditional charity work, I am proud to be a person from Kidangoor and would like to be associated with those drivers.
well done roy.
ReplyDeletewho bothers about kidangoor .peoples from kidangoor parish knows what to do ,they are mature enough to take decision
binu parambettu
Members of Kidangoor Parish are of course free to do what they want with their money. The objection raised here is on a different note.
ReplyDeleteAny responsible donor should ensure that the money donated is used for useful humanitarian purpose. I am very much impressed by the philanthropic act of the Auto Riksha drivers. How many Pravasies with their fat purse will help in such noble causes?
The only charity we, Pravasies, know is to send a cheque to the Church authorities. And what is the net result? Recently someone quoted a priest when there were numerous complaints about the way patients are treated in Caritas hospital. The priest reportedly said: “Nobody forces patients to come to Caritas; we have more patients than we can handle. And, we cannot do anything more than what we are doing. Don’t frighten us with legal actions. We have enough brilliant lawyers in our legal team to handle any complaint!”
What made that priest so arrogant? It is the money you and I paid for the development work of the hospital. After so many years they could not make it a Medical College. And they have such contempt for poor patients for whom the hospital is supposed to be.
No on should object to a new Rectory in Kidangoor. But, there should first be a technical inspection to see if it is technically sound or not. Yes, there are huge mansions built by rich Malayalees who unfortunately do not know what to do with their money. But remember one thing – they did not, unlike the Catholic Priests, take the three vows of “poverty, chastity and obedience.”
Now, look at the present-day priests living in five star Rectories. What is the biblical justification for such luxuries? And how do they convince us that it is the urgent and imperative need of the parishioners? Have you any clue about the sources of wealth of your dear church? Will they contribute towards the construction? Why are they so adamant not to spend a penny from their own treasures?
Rectory in Kaipuzha is perhaps 100 years old. Rectory of Edakattu Church is older. There was a move to construct new Rectory (Pally Meda) in our Edakattu Palli. Permission was not granted because it had so many historical value. (Bishop Charles Lavinje and Bishop Makil stayed there). So, it was renovated and there is nothing wrong with that building.
Most of us in U.K. live in building constructed before 1st World War. Look at the churches and rectories around you. Are they all new? I don’t think Kidangoor Pally Meda is historically “worthless.”
The objection raised here is about some priests starting unnecessary (I stress the word unnecessary) construction activities undertaken with the money of parishioners. Everyone knows the reason is for the priest to get quite a few lakhs out of the construction project.
Why are they not talking about a new Aramana or a new Cathedral in Kottayam? Are these new buildings?
Roy, Siby & Co, please send check for the project if you are comfortable doing so. But in the process, please don’t forget to emulate the noble act of those good Samaritans, those poor auto-rikshaw drivers of Kidangoor.
You mentioned about Kidangoor, Kaipuzha and Edakattu what about Uzhavoor.
ReplyDeleteIn Uzhavoor also a new Pallimeda was built immediately after the construction of the new church. The old Pallimeda was used for office purposes. But the old pallimeda and new pallimeda renovated recently. So we have two rectories one in each side.
ഞങ്ങള് ഉഴവൂര്കാര് പലതും കാണിക്കും കാരണം ഞങ്ങളുടെ പുണ്യവാളന് പണം ഉണ്ട്
Infact the old Pallimeda would be ideal for Vicar especially during the summer as it has tile roof. We go for big constructions without proper planning and before demolishing any building we should think of the historical importance of the building and if possible renovate the existing building instead of going for Concrete buildings which are not suitable for our weather
കിടങ്ങൂരെ പളിമേട പുതുക്കി പണിയാന് സമയമായി,അതിന്റെ ചിലവും ഫണ്ടും വിട്ടുകള. വേണ്ടത് ചെയ്യട്ടെ അവിടുത്തുകാര്,ഓരോ ആവശ്യവും അറിഞ്ഞ്,ആവശ്യം എന്ന് കരുതുന്നവര് ചെയ്യട്ടെ വേണ്ടത്.എന്താണെങ്കിലും വാലേല് അച്ഛന് ആരുടെ കയ്യില് നിന്നും പണം നിര്ബന്ധിച്ച് പണം പിരിക്കുന്നില്ല.
ReplyDeleteഇനി ഈ ചര്ച്ച മാനേജ്മെന്റ്റ് ആശുപതിയിലെ നേര്സ് മാരിലേക്ക് മാറ്റി ഒന്ന് ചിന്തിച്ചു നോക്കിയ്ക്കെ .എന്തുകൊണ്ട് ക്രിസ്ത്യന് മാനെജ്മെന്റുകള്ക്കും കേരളത്തിനും മാതൃകയായി ക്നാനായ മാനേജുമെന്റിന് പ്രവര്ത്തിച്ചുകൂട???
കാരിത്താസ്, കിടങ്ങൂര്,മോനിപ്പള്ളി തുടങ്ങി ക്നാനായ ആശുപത്രികളില് മിനിമം വേജസ്സും വേണ്ട അനുപാതത്തില് മെയില് നേര്സുമാര്ക്ക് ജോലി ചെയ്യുവാന് അവസരം കൊടുത്തും ക്നാനായ മാനേജുമെന്റിന് മാതൃക ആയിക്കൂട ???
ഒന്നും ഇല്ലെങ്കിലും ക്നാനായ സമുദായത്തിലെ നല്ലൊരു ശതമാനം നേര്സുമാരാനല്ലോ ?? സമുദായത്തിന്റെ പണത്തിന്റെ നല്ലൊരു പങ്കും.
കിടങ്ങൂര് പള്ളിയില് നിലവില് ഉള്ള പള്ളിമേട പൊളിക്കുന്നില്ല.അത് വെധപടക്ലാസ്സിനു
ReplyDeleteവേണ്ടി ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നു.അതിന്റെ മുനവസ്സത്തെ മന്നുമാട്ടി പള്ളിക്ക് ആഹ്ബിമുഖമായി
ആണ് പുതിയത് പണിയുന്നത്