Ever since the dissolution of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish, we have passed through more than four months of uncertainty. Majority, who oppose dissolution, are worshiping independently and the minority who support it are in newly formed Parishes. No response from leadership for a peaceful settlement is felt, despite efforts from protestors. In view of this, an open appeal to all concerned, Clergy and laity, who are divided as pro or anti to the dissolution, to look back and evaluate its merits and demerits.
The decision of DISSOLUTION turned out to be the worst disaster for Marthoma Church as a whole and parish in particular in its history. Worshipers, who prayed together for the last 47 years turned against each other, clergy became the foe of laity and vice versa. The biggest parish fragmented to various small groups with conflicting interest vying for survival.
What is the attitude of Church Leaders?
Majority, who protest the dissolution, are not the enemies but the real supporters of the Church and its leadership. Their intention is to hold the church in its Christian Mission and principles instead of accepting wrong decisions and practices, which shall be detrimental for the whole church in the long run. Protest is a message to leaders that, time have changed and imposition of their will for unjustified intention shall be questioned. The parishioners cannot be lead any more like innocent sheep. In a democratic system, each have the right to know any decision affecting them and to protest or accept according to the merit.
There is still hope for reconciliation. But there should be serious efforts instead of adamant attitude. Let the leaders show their wisdom in listening to the laity as a father to his son. By approaching the situation in a positive air, all who protest now will come to a negotiation table. They are not against the leaders but the decision which is imposed. Instead of relying on one side of the story, a commission should be appointed to see the actual situation. Try to find an amicable solution instead of dragging it eternally. By following a delaying tactic, common people are gradually deviating from the Church. Current situation made them to adjust their mind to worship without the assistance of the Clergy, as they feel that they too are Royal Priests of Jesus by virtue of their baptism. They feel very comfortable now and are more attached to each other in the Christian love. The reason for this is the feeling of insecurity and resultant unconditional submission to Jesus Christ. They find that they can rely only on the God and not on the leaders. They find their co-worshipers as their own brothers. The attempt of these worshipers to reconcile with the leaders is not out of weakness but out of love for the church as a whole and its future. It is an earnest wish to see that all members stay together in the love of Jesus Christ.
What is the intention of Dissolution ?
Leadership is of the opinion that, divided parish will ensure efficient pastoral care due to limited number of members. In the case of Kuwait, it was initially a division and subsequently an imposed dissolution, the reason for which is not explained and has become a cause of dispute and protest.
The Zonal Division of Kuwait Marthoma Parish, based on prayer groups, initiated by the Diocesan Bishop was unanimously accepted by all parties for Administrative convenience. It helped the members to worship collectively and individually without disturbing the entity of Kuwait Marthoma Parish. It served the psychological attachment of people, to the tradition of seniority and unique position as the biggest parish of the whole Marthoma Church. It also took care of people who wanted to worship in small groups with more pastoral care. Unfortunately, the Kalpana of 6th December 2010, destabilized this equilibrium causing present stand off, because majority felt that they were betrayed and cheated.
There is a rumor that the Kalpana directing Dissolution was withheld from ordinary parishioners. If so, who is responsible? The Priest and the Secretary who were in charge at the time of Kalpana should have been questioned. Why there was no follow up by the Bishop to know whether the Kalpana was communicated to the ordinary people and their reaction? This argument is only a deliberate attempt to mislead people.
Actual fact is that the said Kalpana was only a confirmation of Zonal Division, which was implemented beforehand by the Diocesan Bishop. It does not say anything about DISSOLUTION. So the argument that people were informed of dissolution is an absolute attempt of misinformation.
What is the outcome?
The common believers lost their esteem to the patriarchal supremacy of Bishops and started to question their credibility as leaders. They started to think that, the whole system is a power polity of minority with vested interest degrading to the class of any political parties, with its worldly lust. Those people who obediently followed the leaders in the past began to rethink about their loyalty to them. Who can be blamed for this state of mind? The leaders or the followers? Who ignited it and why? Respect and loyalty cannot be commanded but can only be earned.
A few gained from this volatile situation. The Church has become a laughing stock in front of other denominations. Those members who wanted positions in the parish politics gained it. New parishes helped them in achieving new positions in parish, Assembly and Mandalam. For personal gain they supported the dissolution. It is not their integrity to the church or obedience to leaders and its system, which hold them with the new parishes.
What is the attitude of Church Leaders?
Leadership is being misinformed that, the protestors in Kuwait can be ignored and denial of Religious rituals like Priest Oriented services, Holy Qurbana, will force them to submission. More than quarter of an year’s experience show that intimidation policy will not work on them. Responsible and reasonable approach to the problem only will resolve the issue.
Some of the Bishops and priests, evaluate wrongly that, the ordinary people who live in Gulf Countries to earn their living, are from families of poor financial and educational background. And once they attained their present wealth and position are trying to question the church and its system. There are solid evidences of such comments from the top to the ordinary priestly level of Church Herirarchy confirming their attitude. They think that they are dealing with a community of lower intelligence and thought.
Also leaders feel that, excommunication or exit of the protestors will not affect the Mar Thoma Church as the church has overgrown and can ignore a few people as peanuts. Do the leaders think about their children who are the future of church? Or do they want to live without them? It should not be ignored that the protestors are representing and members of over 400 parishes of Marthoma Church around the world. The matter should not be taken lightly.
It is high time for the leadership to review their position. Time has changed very much. The Church is still thinking the way it thought 175 years ago. Laity cannot be subjugated to the ruling attitude of the past. It is the time of sharing belief and thoughts between the clergy and laity as both have equal maturity regarding spirituality. In fact, an overhauling is required from the grass root level to the constitution of the Church, which has become obsolete. In our Constitution, one cannot find the real democracy. It is only a shroud of Autocracy, which we fail to understand.
Protest of people cannot be treated as indiscipline. Questions asked or rejection of unacceptable decisions of the Church leadership is not a crime or sin. If so, Abraham Malpan and other leaders, who rebelled and questioned the Metropolitan of the then Orthodox Church, are sinners and should have been subjected to heavenly wrath. Or the said rule is only applicable to the common man, who believe and adhere the system innocently? Jesus Christ is our example here. The then High Priest was challenged by our Lord.
What is the impact on protestors?
Majority, who protest the dissolution, are not the enemies but the real supporters of the Church and its leadership. Their intention is to hold the church in its Christian Mission and principles instead of accepting wrong decisions and practices, which shall be detrimental for the whole church in the long run. Protest is a message to leaders that, time have changed and imposition of their will for unjustified intention shall be questioned. The parishioners cannot be lead any more like innocent sheep. In a democratic system, each have the right to know any decision affecting them and to protest or accept according to the merit.
Now, these protestors worship very peacefully in a true Christian environment. They have regular worship, fasting prayers, conventions, Sunday school, VBS, and all other related activities. A renewed Christian vigor can be observed. Out of frustration, the official church authorities are trying their level best to disturb this harmony. They resort to all sorts of intimidation techniques. The Bishops and Priests are directly involved in these activities, misusing their position of authority. How they can justify their actions? Is it Christian way of life?
Are we ready for reconciliation?
Let us hope, each of us submit to the Divine love of our Lord Jesus Christ and try to live in Christian peace and harmony leaving the worldly ego of “SELF”