Those minority, who support the dissolution of Kuwait Marthoma Parish, are spreading an accusation that the action of majority, who protest unjustifiable decision of the Church leadership, is delivering a wrong message to our children. As per them, the laity has to submit to the decisions of Church leaders, whatsoever it be, as inherent discipline of Christian community.
LESSON FROM CHRISTIAN HISTORY
Criticism is a positive way to refine. It is human nature to justify own thoughts and action without considering its impact on others. An unbiased analysis of the merits and demerits helps to rethink and correct mistakes, if any. So any action in this direction cannot be treated as indiscipline but rather as a creative approach to eliminate mistakes, which can cause chaos. Difference in opinion cannot be termed as indiscipline.
LESSON FROM CHRISTIAN HISTORY
Various sects within Christianity around the world are the result of criticism, protests and struggle from the 1st century of Christianity. Changes happened to Christianity, were either rejected or accepted by various participating groups according to their understanding and interest. Some were ideological but majority were for power and authority.
IF we look back at Christian history, we can find difference in opinion, protest and corrective steps, which were the guiding force behind its development to current stage:
1. Jesus Christ criticized the High Priests and challenged the religious system of the time. He was trying to change the way of life of humanity as a whole. But the religious elites could not comprehend it. They wanted to eliminate the revolution of our lord, which resulted in the crucifixion.
2. In the first Century of our Lord, Christianity was considered as only a sect within Judaism and followers of Jesus worshiped in Synagogues. Gradually, difference in opinion aroused and Christianity became independent. So the beginning of Church itself is the result of rejection of conflicting practices and ideology. Jesus Christ never initiated a Church or religion. Christianity is always a way of life and not a religion. His followers only made it a religion.
3. There were difference in opinion between St. Paul, St. Peter and Pharisee’s party within Christianity regarding issues like : following Jewish customs in Christianity, Baptism of non-circumcised gentile Christians, sharing Eucharist with gentile converts, following Mosaic laws and Jewish piety within Christianity and as such. Finally, in the Council of Jerusalem during 48-50 AD (supposedly) resolved this crisis in a reconciled way.
4. The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 is proof of the difference in opinion within Christianity. In the absence of such council, the future of Christian church would have been a misfortune.
5. From AD 381, serious rivalry with regard to authority started between Eastern Patriarch and Roman Pope. It resulted in the division of the Church as Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic in AD 1054. It can be termed as the split of the body of Christ.
6. In AD 1517 Martin Luther, protested against the Roman Pope for doctrinal difference. This resulted in the creation of Protestant Churches.
7. The Holy Communion Service of Abraham Malpan in AD 1837 ignited the reformation and the split from the Orthodox Church and the Metropolitan. This resulted in the Creation of Marthoma Syrian Church of Malabar.
These events show us the fact that “RECONCILIATION is the solution to problems not imposition. Wherever ideas imposed it broke the system.
Is Marthoma Church HERETICAL?
It should be emphatically noted that Marthoma Church itself is the result of a protest. The protest was against the Metropolitan. Does it mean that, Abraham Malpan was misguiding the future generation? Was he right in protesting against a system? Is Marthoma Church “HERETICAL” (one opposing legalized church dogma) as viewed by Orthodox Church? Is our Baptism valid as per the understanding of Orthodox Church? Was the Reformation ideological? Orthodox church has their own justification which differs from ours - Who is right and who is wrong? Were we following the policy of unconditional surrender to the Authority in the case of reformation?What happened in Kuwait?
In the case of Kuwait, majority is feeling that they have been sidelined in a decision which affects them. It is strongly believed, which is a fact, that the decree to dissolve the parish lacks “maturity” and “one sided” as parties involved were not consulted. It is the outcome of instigation by some minority- internal and external- in their plan to destabilize the parish for personal gain. The leadership is wrongly trapped in such a conspiracy. This is the reason for the protest. A protest against decisions which can adversely affect the church as a whole.
IS OUR CLERGY / BISHOPS MODELS TO OUR CHILDREN?
1. Church leaders are misusing their position to disrupt the worship of protestors by denying the place of worship. They threaten Registered Evangelists with disciplinary actions if their divine service extended to the protesting group. There is active threat of legal action and excommunication for attending divine service and so on.
2. Majority of Sunday School students are denied of their text books this year. These books were brought from India by various people with difficulty. Now the Priest In Charge is refusing to pass on these books to these students. Is it Christian love and model? Can the Priest justify the action of holding a religious text from students? What the young students will think about the priests and religious system? Is it not a denial of gospel to the new generation? IF the student is not in their side, they are denied of their right to learn and to know Christ. Is it the Christian lesson of Sharing? Is Christ in our midst?
3. Priests are actively involved in intimidation techniques to bring back believers who protest. It can be termed as intrusion to the personal right of an individual by force or as “sheep stealing”.
Is the Church Providing Pastoral Care to All Marthomites in Kuwait?
In the Indian community in Kuwait, there are a very large number of Marthomites, who are neither members of the Parish, nor participating in any church activities. They are being totally ignored by the Church leaders and community. One can find them in Labour camps, bachelors’ residential areas, Nurses’ hostel and as such. But very active pursuance in this direction is required. Now these people are targeted by other denominations and we are not bothered about that. With the introduction of the new parishes, why these Priests and respective church leaders cannot make an effort to locate them and bring them to the Marthoma Worship services instead of running after people who are already involved in the church activities. If they succeed in their attempt in this direction, the three new churches created now can have enough members without the participation of protesting people. Are we looking for an easy piece of the cake?
Unofficial Statistical Analysis of Marthomites in Kuwait is Given below :
Total Indian Expatriates in Kuwait (2010 Survey):6,40,000
Estimated Keralites - 30% of Total Indians : 1,92,000 Estimated Christians - 32% of Total Keralites : 61,000
Estimated MARTHOMITES - 14% of Kerala Christians :8,500
Total Kuwait Marthoma Church Records (roughly) : 5,000
MARTHOMITES DENIED PASTORAL CARE - 3,500
Where is the remaining members, who are not attended by us which is to the range of not less than 3500 in numbers? We have the service of 5 priests. We have enough room to have more parishes and priests without disturbing the existence of KUWAIT MARTHOMA PARISH. We are not addressing possibilities but ignoring it.
· Above status is roughly that of 1 year before and estimations are very conservative. Now the number have increased considerably and possibility too.
A request to the Metropolitan and Diocesan Bishop
People are protesting only the unilateral decision and NOT AGAINST CHURCH and IT’s LEADERS. They respect their Bishops, Clergy and Elders. They are maintaining their solidarity to the Church despite immense pressure from the Church leaders and other denominations. They are worshiping as TRUE MARTHOMITES in Kuwait fighting with all adversities. The reason is that the Mar Thoma Church is the culmination of the efforts of their forefathers. The current leaders, though respected, are not the guiding force for them to maintain this integrity. They are born as Marthomites and shall die as Marthomites. It is their way of life, which is nostalgic.Kindly try to understand your sheep and their needs. Please do not ignore majority. Please open your eyes on the reality. If you are not convinced of majority please find a way to evaluate it. There are democratic procedures for this. It is not yet late for reconciliation. Please try to learn from the history. As leaders, you have to be our models in RELINQUISHING EGO. Please initiate re-establishment of the parish as your gift to majority, who are demoralized. This is the Christian spirit and love.
We have issues not addressed for which our efforts and resources should be channeled instead of destabilizing a system, which was functional since last five decades. A benign request is to utilize our energy and infrastructure to search for these lost sheep (as mentioned in the statistical analysis) instead of leaving them as prey to evangelism of other self proclaimed mushrooming God men.