അമേരിക്കയില്‍ നിന്ന് മറ്റൊരു കത്ത്

ഇന്ന് അമേരിക്കയിലെ ക്നാനായ സമൂഹത്തില്‍ സംഭവിച്ചു കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നതെല്ലാം നാളെ ഇവിടെയും ആവര്‍ത്തിക്കപെടാം. അതുകൊണ്ടാണ്, KCCNA President-ന്റെ ഈ കത്ത് ഇവിടെ പ്രസധീകരിക്കുന്നത്.

My dear Knanaya brothers and sisters,

Over the last week or so, there has been lot of speculation regarding the outcome and the steps taken by KCCNA following the meeting in Los Angeles between KCCNA Executive committee, Arch Bishop Moolakattu and priests of Knanaya Region. I want to provide the following clarifications and assure each one of you that KCCNA will not sacrifice the interests of the community under any circumstances. I also want to emphasize that as a federation of members associations throughout the country, we will make decisions only after each and every community member is provided an opportunity to give their input through your respective Knanaya Associations.

As pointed out in the minutes of the meeting that was released, Our Arch Bishop provided a new clarification to membership criteria for membership in Knanaya missions/parishes in North America. According to this criteria, "only Knanaya people who are born to Knanaya parents are members of Knanaya missions/parishes and if they marry a non-knanaya person, they can continue in the missions/parishes as members however their non-Knanaya spouse and children will not be members of Knanaya Missions/parishes". This was also broadcasted by Knanaya Media managed by Fr. Mutholath. Our Arch Bishop reiterated it again during a speech in Chicago which was broadcasted through youtube worldwide by Knanaya voice.

The reason why it is considered as a new is because even though our Bishop had outlined the same criteria back in July 2003 during a meeting between KCCNA Executive Committee and Knanaya spiritual directors, Bishop Angadiath's directive that followed in Dec 2003 was different. Hence our Arch Bishop confirmed at a National Council meeting in early 2004 that our missions has been watered down from the criteria he had outlined earlier in 2003. Our community members across North America through their respective associations passed resolutions and adopted a non-cooperation stand towards the Syro Malabar Diocese based on the directive to include non-knanaya persons in 'Knanaya' parishes and missions because that would have permanently changed our tradition/definition of who we are "Knanites".

In 2008 we as a community revisited the issue and further clarified that we will cooperate in all areas where we can cooperate with the diocese and Bishop, including supporting Knanaya missions/parishes, however reiterated our stand against including non-knanaya persons in Knanaya missions/parishes. During that decision also, the community members had an opportunity to provide feed back through their member associations to KCCNA before a decision was made by the KCCNA National Council. As you might have seen in the most recent Video circulated through youtube, our Arch Bishop confirmed in his response to a question from the audience that we (the community) will not agree to/accept the 2003 directive from Bishop Angadiath to include non-knanaya persons in Knanaya missions/parishes. This stand has been repeatedly confirmed by our community members in North America.

The new membership criteria that our Arch bishop outlined, is consistent with what was proposed by His Excellency in 2003. Since the Knanaya Missions and Parishes are under Mar Angadiath’s jurisdiction and authority, KCCNA Executive Committee has requested Bishop Angadiath's concurrence on this membership criteria. We believe such a confirmation from Mar Angadiath will prevent unnecessary speculations and misunderstandings among the community members and can help to initiate the reconciliation process. As soon as we get concurrence from the Bishop, we will share that with all of you and we will request associations to call a general body meeting to gather your input. As in the past, KCCNA’s decision will be only based on the feedback from you.

Myself, KCCNA executive committee members, convention committee members and each one of you are faced with the possibility that our Bishops and priests might not be able to attend our upcoming KCCNA convention given the jurisdictional limitations caused by Bishop Mar Angadiath's decision to not to accept/participate at our convention. Therefore we have requested Bishop Mar Angadiath, to reconsider the decision to not to participate at our convention, which will pave the way for our Bishops and Priests to participate at the convention. We pointed out that non-cooperation and convention participation are two different issues, particularly since the non-cooperation has been in place since 2002.

I want to assure you that KCCNA executive committee will not succumb to any threats/pressures and we are duty bound to uphold the dignity of our community. We will only do what is best for the community in the long run after taking input from each one of you. Conventions may come and go, KCCNA executives may come and go, however 1700 years of Knanaya traditions cannot be sacrificed under pressure through hasty, forced and careless decisions. As always our strength, determination and confidence to stand firm for our community is dependent on the support, prayers and courage each one of you have provided to KCCNA and our Community over the years. We can assure you that the trust you have placed in us will not be compromised. We look forward to your continued support and participation.

I also take this opportunity to really appreciate and thank the nearly 600 families who have already come forward to register for the KCCNA convention. I sincerely hope that those who have not yet registered will consider this letter as an invitation to register for the convention as early as possible to make it an event that will further solidify our unity and show our renewed commitment for the cause of our great community and community organizations.

Sincerely,

Shiens Akasala

President, KCCNA