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

Christian & Knannaite 4

Knannaites all over the world are more concerned on the recent developments in America, where the members and the clergy including non knannaite clergy seriously debate on the future of our identity and endogamous status than me advocating charity in our community. As you all may be aware, this is not the first time in our history these issues are being discussed and we continued to stand united against these unscrupulous people and always won, which is why where we are now. This is likely to continue forever till the time Syro-Malabar feel not threatened by our unity and strength (Which is not likely to happen). Again if it happened in America, there is every possibility to repeat the same in UK, if not today but surely tomorrow.  

I believe it’s we, the laymen’s responsibility to safe guard our culture, heritage and traditions, therefore rather than waiting it to happen, let’s get ready to either face it today or prepare our self to effectively resist it, and the only way is by strengthening UKKCA, it’s legal as well as social and organisational status in UK.  Even though we, the members have the primary individual  responsibility, since we have a well structured and well represented association and we all respect its elected leadership, it’s down to them  to initiate appropriate measures to safeguard UKKCA interests as well as UK Knannaites interest. 

Being an organisation, especially community organisation will have many conflicting matters, which need enough time to resolve. At the same time, a continuous and steady growth is needed and to acheive that, we need to emphasise the importance Christian ways of living and to continue to promote the word charity, the Christian theological concept of unlimited love and kindness, specifically within our community.

Only for that reason, it’s always good to look and learn from the work of other communities or charities, how they resolve issues and get along with their routine charitable activities to achieve some positive results of living in an organised and productive community.

UKKCA has over 1800 families, effectively making them more than 7000 members (including children), may be more. In comparison with UK citizens, we are migrants and work only to earn our livelihood but being a Christian believer we have the responsibility to continue our charity work wherever we are and everyone is free to adopt any form of charity work previously described. That’s also one of the reasons, why our own association, UKKCA, which is destined to safeguard our interests is registered as national charity. 

One can also see the following reasons to justify their heavenly work within the first category : 

1st Reason. To hold conformity with the rest of His world, being delighted to show forth the glory of his wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures, and the glory of His power in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole, and the glory of His greatness, counting himself more honoured in dispensing his gifts to man by man, than if he did it by his own immediate hands.

2nd Reason. That He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of his Spirit, first upon the wicked in moderating and restraining them, so that the rich and mighty should not eat up the poor, nor the poor and despised rise up against and shake off their yoke. Thereafter to  regenerate, in exercising His graces in them, as in the great ones, their love, mercy, gentleness, temperance etc., and in the poor and inferior sort, their faith, patience, obedience etc.

3rd Reason. That every man might have need of others, and from hence they might be all knit more nearly together in the bonds of brotherly affection. From hence it appears plainly that no man is made more honourable than another or more wealthy etc., out of any particular and singular respect to himself, but for the glory of his Creator and the common good of the creature - man.

Being a Christian and Knannaite, few more justifications from the Holy Bible :

Therefore God still reserves the property of these gifts to Himself as Ezek. 16:17, He there calls wealth, His gold and His silver, and Prov. 3:9, He claims their service as His due, "Honour the Lord with thy riches," - All men being thus (by divine providence) ranked into two sorts, rich and poor; under the first are comprehended all such as are able to live comfortably by their own means duly improved; and all others are poor according to the former distribution.

There are two rules whereby we are to walk one towards another, which is Justice and Mercy. These are always distinguished in their act and in their object, yet may they both concur in the same subject in each respect, as sometimes there may be an occasion of showing mercy to a rich man in some sudden danger or distress situation, and also doing of mere justice to a poor man in regard of some particular contract and rights.

To be continued..

Presbytery for St Mary's Church Kidangoor

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.

Christian & Knannaite - 1

Knai Thoma successfully led our migration based on Christian beliefs and faith, hope everyone agree, but do we have faith?, especially when some of us believe, we also follow St Thomas, the Apostle of India! (through Syro-Malabar), the only one experienced and believed. 

Just read the following conversation and follow the logic to the last line... 

Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ? 

Student : Yes, sir. 

Professor: So, you believe in GOD ? 

Student : Absolutely, sir. 

Professor : Is GOD good ? 

Student : Sure. 

Professor: Is GOD all powerful ? 

Student : Yes. 

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm? 

(Student was silent.) 

Professor: You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, young fella. Is GOD good? 

Student : Yes. 

Professor: Is satan good ? 

Student : No.

Professor: Where does satan come from ? 

Student : From . GOD . 

Professor: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student : Yes. 

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct? 

Student : Yes 

Professor: So who created evil ? 

(Student did not answer.) 

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they? 

Student : Yes, sir. 

Professor: So, who created them ? 

(Student had no answer.) 

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student : No, sir. 

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD? 

Student : No , sir. 

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smell your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't. 

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him? 

Student : Yes. 

Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son? 

Student : Nothing. I only have my faith. 

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has. 

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student : And is there such a thing as cold? 

Professor: Yes. 

Student : No, sir. There isn't. 

(The lecture theatre became very quiet with this turn of events.) 

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it. 

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.) 

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness? 

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness? 

Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it is, were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ? 

Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed. 

Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how? 

Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey? 

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do. 

Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir? 

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.) 

Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? 

(The class was in uproar.)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain? 

(The class broke out into laughter. ) 

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable,  demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir.

With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?  

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.) 

Professor: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son. 

Student : That is it sir . Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving. 

I believe you have enjoyed the conversation and hopefully increased your knowledge and FAITH, in fact the student was ALBERT EINSTEIN. 

To continue...

Welcoming 2012 - Happy New Year!

Every New Year comes with new hope and rejuvenated ideologies, an opportunity to revise our past, modify our present and formulate new strategies in line with the ever-changing needs and priorities.  Most of us as individuals and groups celebrate new year, few realise whether they are being part of mourning for the gone year, or welcoming the ever fresh new year.  In any case, it an occasion to review our failures and celebrate achievements.

God not only created all species in this world but empowered them with the capacity to survive, but humans are the only species gifted with the power of  Wisdom, which is the deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. Mostly it needs to control of one's emotional reactions so that universal principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions.  Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action.

This additional gift makes them live in a society, enable them to share each and everything and also acts as an agent for that group’s development.  All these developments are the results of collective actions, therefore purely group effort.  A strong and diverse group can easily bring in excellent results, than any individual can.  Involvement of individuals with long term vision and committed community engagements can improve the group’s performances and results, making that group more vibrant and productive.  Nominating and Promoting those individuals are our current challenges, individuals who can bring in or implement changes as per the needs of the society or to this developing group/society.

Over the last ten years UKKCA’s existence purely depended on the success of annual conventions and few individuals view this as the sole objective of this community association.  If that is the case, then UKKCA never had any leaders except the ones who initiated these regular annual conventions, rest all are self styled leaders who simply don’t want to come out of their comfort zones. That may also be the reason for nearly zero bank balance transfers to the new committee, it is a shame for this large  community association.  It is disheartening to hear that the current committee is also looking forward to zero transfer or near-zero-balance.  We have created this situation by electing people with “Zero-Community-Commitment” and forced to rate them the Zeros of UKKCA.

In this New Year, let’s ask this question: is UUKCA's only objective  is to organise an annual convention; do we need this momentary or temporary leaders without any professionalism or long term objectives and ultimately forcing us to rate them for their nil achievements and zero transfers?

I wish all my Knanaya brothers and sisters  a very HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

UKKCA Units

I’m not against forming new units and I’m not commenting on any particular unit formation.

As a national registered charity UKKCA have to abide by its rules and regulations, which I believe everyone understands and accept, which I hear from others that, are being followed.

Now this may be an ideal situation to discuss the overall objectives of forming a unit, or I personally prefer to call it as a Knanaya Koodarayogams, which have more biblical as well as historical meaning. A more spiritual person with deep knowledge on Bible and our ancient Christian history may be able to provide meaningful justification for this name. To me these Knanaya koodarayogangal are a place for worship and share what we have with our own Knanaya brethren, for the development of our Knanaya community.

These Koodarayogangal are very important to the existence of our community, which should only be promoting members love and affection through selfless sacrifice and strictly adhering to Christian standards. After the family, these are the places where our children learn Knanaya values and Christian standards,  therefore irrespective of UKKCA approved units, Knanaya Koodarayogangal to be formed wherever Knannaites live harmoniously.  Koodarayogangal has high significance in the church, we believe our current big church was born on the day of Pentecost, when Mother Mary and Jesus Christ’s disciples received “Promised Holy Spirit”, while they were praying at a relatively small hall (Sehion Oottushala).

After receiving the holy spirit, the attitude of the Apostles and others were changed, who because of fear of arrest and punishment by the Jews. This attitude of fear and doubt was reversed, turning into courage and the bold faith to preach to all people. These Apostles and their disciples immediately became heralds and preachers of the Gospel of Christ.

In principle our Knanaya Koodarayogangal  should resemble this and should transform into  a place for worship and enrichment, Knannaites should become true descendants of  Jesus Christ, Knai Thomman and Uruhman Ouseph and ultimately role model for other groups of people, Christian and non Christians. May be our spiritual leader should look into the current state or functioning of our existing Koodarayogangal and develop some standard directives to achieve this basic spiritual objectives.

On the other hand, if a unit is formed only to represent at the UKKCA national council meeting or high profile annual rallies, more debates are needed.  With the current national council strength of 130   plus members, decision making appears to be impossible (Things gets worse at the hands of irresponsible leaders and in the absence of clear guidelines on Constitutional modifications, Executive committee’s Positional objectives and responsibilities, expenditure guidelines, various standard accountability measures and policies, etc.)



UKKCA - Objectives

The response to this discussion forum is amazing, It’s really encouraging to see the responses from more growth oriented Knannaites, along with that appreciate their sincere efforts.

Membership/Voting Rights

Let’s be very constructive in our discussions, as a person facilitated UKKCA charity registration formalities, I‘m well aware of the UKKCA constitution. 2007-09 UKKCA executive committee along with many other committed members, spent considerable amount of time to develop this, which is praiseworthy, and I’m sure those members will have sufficient justifications to defend the current conflict on the voting rights.

I’m very firm in my opinion on the voting rights, which should only be restricted to Married Kananaya Couples for the following reasons :

(a) Knannaite sustainability is purely depend on Knanaya marriages (Involving Knanaya Men and Women, following Endogamy).

(b) Knanaya community association’s (Not Spiritual) development are the responsibility of Lay Knannaites (not forgetting the support from spiritual leadership)

(c) Final decision on any Knanaya community matters should be of the Lay Knanaya members.

We have few disputed membership examples involving Knanaya community association or organisation from other parts of world, where temporary or even life membership granted to un-married Knannaites led to serious disputes within community members and even few court cases where the association was legally registered with local/government agencies. Well I’m sure few of us will argue against membership and voting rights, which I believe, both sides of the same coin. Let’s learn from our own brethren’s experience and strict to one rule for the sake of Knannaite sustainability.

Again there are sufficient opportunities for our un-married and young knannaites with UKKCYL, Mission League or other Knanaya children’s forum. Promote and encourage our children to be active part of these group and prove their worthiness to Knanaya community.

UKKCA Objectives:

As a national registered charity, registered in England and Wales, following are our objectives:

1) The advancement of the Christian religion in accordance with the tenets of the (Knanaya) Catholic Church

2) The advancement of education, in particular but not restricted to the area of family unity and development.

3) The relief of those in need by the advancement of any other charitable purpose, with a view to, in particular but not restricted to, the fulfillment of social and welfare needs.

It’s high time for us to seriously think about the above objectives, whether we are achieving any of the above by organising only these high profile one day annual conventions