A Humble Petition

Respected Thirumeni

This letter is being submitted to Your Holiness, with the anticipation of your just consideration to the grievances of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish members, who wish to stay together as a body of one single Church in the light of recent  Kalpana to dissolve it and to operate Three Separate churches as  independent  entities.

This decision is not in accordance with the will of the majority of Church members. I am trying to convey the feeling of 99% of members, who cherish the nostalgic feeling of togetherness since last 47 years in the face of  various turbulence.  During these years, we have been faithful to the Mar Thoma Church and its hierarchies.

Now, with the adamant approach, refusing to reason with, from some factions of the Church Leadership, we are constrained to disapprove the divine commandments enforced on us as a last chance for our very spiritual survival in this land. 

We are not convinced of the Pastoral care, proclaimed as the reason for the dissolution of the Church.  If The Priests cannot provide the desired pastoral care in the existing scenario, how they can give it in a divided Church, unless special divine ability is bestowed from the Heaven, which is lacking now?. There is no real change in number of priests and members of  the church in the  proposed new system.  

More over, despite the fact that, we are enjoying Religious freedom in an Islamic country like Kuwait, we are trying to overstep the magnanimity of this country  by using unauthorized venues as our Church.  Incase of an accident due to inadequate facilities in these places, who will be responsible for the life of the believers?

Where will we accommodate our existing Sunday School Students for giving lessons on Christ, the Lord.  The younger generation is the future of our Church as a whole. Should we ignore them?  We have lot of limitations in a foreign land.  Instead of simplifying, we are aggravating problems, which is deliberately created.

It is understood from various sources that, the Synod is being appraised  that the objection of dissolution is raised by a minority of Church members and majority is favouring  it..

Then , Why the leadership is not willing to have a referendum of the members to assess the real situation in a democratic manner.  If people want change let them have. If not, let it be not an imposition of Will.  History teaches us of rebellions from common man, which resulted in the collapse of Mighty powers.

One genuine question to the Church Leadership :-

Can we follow the same policy of pastoral care in the matter of THE MAR THOMA CHURCH as a whole?. We have more than 10 Lacs members and over 1000 priests in  12 Dioceses. Each Dioceses is ruled by a Bishop and its Priests, with its Administrative Councils.  Above all, there is a Metropolitan as the Head of the Entire Church and its Synod.  It has grown to a multinational Corporate with roots around the world with prime properties in main cities. We have unapproachable Church leaders and establishments.  A common man has no access anywhere.  He is only a subject of the All Powerful in the Top of the Hierarchy. 

Why we cannot think of a dissolution of the Mar Thoma Church as a whole and creation of Independent Churches under the leadership of the existing Diocean Bishops and their Councils.?  If the logics used in the matter of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish is a genuine model, why the Church leadership cannot follow this line?.    Let us dissolve the main body and operate as small Diocese or independent churches.

Mar Thoma Church  is born from the first REFORMATION of our forefathers rebelling against the then elites.  Now, let it be dissolved into Independent Churches in a SECOND REFORMATION.  The purpose of being a Church member is to serve Jesus, our Saviour as a community.  The present Church leadership teaches us that we can serve Jesus in  diffuse and complacent  Groups.   Then, under the light of the above point, consider, why cannot it be applied from the top of the System.?

The above cited question is to convince ourselves of the illogical nature of decision made by the top of the Church. Can this policy be accommodated in the case of whole Mar Thoma Church  ?  Then under the above point, consider applying same to the unit of the Church..

We believe in a united Church and a United Parish.  Please do not hurt our feelings. We have lot of problems in this foreign land.  Please do not add another for no reason  We are looking for a unified communion with the God Almighty.   We are faithful believers ready to be guided reasonably by of the Church leaders. We are not your adversaries.  But  a benign request,  please do not force us to revolt.  

For an on behalf of

Likeminded members of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish

Thomas Jacob

Kuwait

January 3, 2011