Christian & Knannaite 5

Hopefully the tension is bit eased with the visit of our  Supreme Commander Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, who appears to have supported the Knannaites than UKKCA, which was expected, when he sees things from a Kottayam view point.  Reassuring the status of all Knannaites also praiseworthy, once a Knannaite will remain as Knannaite until his or her death, it’s for the individual to decide whether to be associated with Kottayam Diocese as an individual member. Also we could see his most gracious supporting small groups to form Koodarayogangal, which is again the basis of our Christian spiritual life. He also clearly supported UKKCA for its collective decisions and constitutional standings,  if needed requesting for constitutional amendments is the best option we have for the moment.

What’s more important for us now is the unity, at least let the non-knannaites know we are one and successfully resolved our differences through this holy intervention and turn off our smoking guns and implement a total "truce", again at least for the sake of our youngsters or our children who silently watch all these aimless factional war.   These infighting is not going to take us anywhere, few may feel they are winning the battle, but surely we are losing the war. Please try to remember “United we stand, divided we fall”.  Also please do not drag your children to these issues and do not impose any restriction for meeting up with their friends, they are our future, allow them to live their life. 

It’s always good for us to learn from the actions and experience of our sister association like KCCNA for our better future, let’s just examine the creation and  developments of KCCNA over the last 27 years, KCCNA was established long, at least 20 years before the current Syro-Malabar system in America, then why KCCNA is less important for them now. How Syro-Malabar hierarchy could decline the request for attending the biggest convention in America. The only reason that Knanaya leaders and members made it less important by keeping KCCNA as a private organisation, just only for Knannaites and not bothered to demonstrate their number, unity and strength to the larger or the natural community in America, which is the existing White Catholic Community.  Whereas the Syro-Malabar priests effectively used our strength and demonstrated that Syro-Malabar is stronger than Knannaites in all aspects.  In short, due to covet or introvert leadership styles KCCNA was not recognised as a major catholic group in America within the wider catholic community, and it’s for us to examine whether UKKCA is following a similar path.

UKKCA is celebrating it’s 11th Convention, another seven thousand or more Knannaites may turn up to sing and dance to the tunes of Marthoman... and again will make it a private function unless, not deviates from the traditional path. None of the other UK community including the larger catholic community will ever notice it, leaders will compete each other for photo sessions, only to fill up Malayalam online newspapers, in their less important community or spiritual pages.  Whereas the monthly bible retreats by the Sehion team in Birmingham is being attended by Bishops, Priests and influential layman from UK Catholic Church and is being recognised as a major Syro-Malabar Catholic function. I am also a regular attendee, appreciating the sincere efforts of those priests and layman, not only to spread the good news but by becoming a medium to bridge the gap between the migrants and host community.

If this situation to continue, think yourself who will represent Malayalee Catholics in UK,  well known and highly popular Syro-Malabar team or less known UKKCA. If  UK Catholic Bishops agree to create an ethnic catholic diocese or to develop a forum to recognise the presence of minority Catholics, who will be consulted first.  Does anyone think, UKKCA will be invited or at least will someone bothers to let’s know of any consultations or discussions. Those times Syro-Malabar will become the real heroes and we will become the real zeros, a repetition of what’s happening in America or to KCCNA.  Our current spiritual leaders will run of to Kottayam, new spiritual leadership will utilise the opportunity to assume command and simply blame the incompetent lay leadership, days are not far for this to happen. Remember after all these hefty financial support to Kottayam Diocese by American Knannaites, Mar Mathew Moolakat reserved his decision to attend the upcoming Florida Convention, only to please Syro-Malabar top brass.

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.  Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings.  The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.  She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live. Being loved this much should make a difference in your life.

Even though  Knannaites don’t expect a similar protection from our Archbishop, we are not expecting him to fly away, leaving us to mend for our ways.

Whereas our Holy Bible proclaims "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4)

To be continued