SYRO MALABAR CHURCH IS HEADING TO A SPLIT ?
The matter which was confined within the Church for sometime has been now taken over by the police and the press. I, therefore, dare to talk the matter in public. This is meant to have the attention of the entire hierarchy of the Church. I would like to believe that as true disciples of Jesus Christ they may honestly find ways and means to get over the present dilemma.
While getting into the issue, we may find that the present controversy has surfaced consequent upon the decision for a uniform celebration of the Holy Mass. According to this the priest celebrating the Holy Mass will face the faithful at the beginning and end of the Mass and the rest of the time he may face the Altar. In the light of the Holy Bible it can be neither said good nor bad. But the matter that worsen the situation is the urgency shown in executing this. If the priesthood can leave the urgency, it may be able to sort out amicably. The people of Kerala could wait about two millennium before they attend a Holy Mass in Malayalam. The Church itself took many centuries before introducing or establishing the Holy Mass into a uniform celebration. It is requested to all concerned, therefore, not to take a hurried decision. The priesthood should not force the Syro Malabar Church to split. Once a rift taken place, it may follow sharing of churches and all other assets proportionately. Those who cannot wait for an year or two today may have to run around the courts for many decades, as we have seen in other Christian Churches. The time we find short now may be available in plenty then.
The entire Syro Malabar Church should know the sole truth, that there is nothing beyond Jesus Christ in the whole universe. The Everliving Great Lord have never taught or prescribed any observance or prayer. His only command for all of us is:
"Jesus said to him: 'You shall love the Lord your God from all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. But the second is similar to it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments the entire law depends, and also the prophets." (Mathew 22:37 to 40) After assignment of these two laws by the Lord, all the other laws made through or by all prophets including the Ten Commandments get revoked automatically.
Jesus Christ has given us the liberty to pray the Father. "But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you. And when praying, do not choose any words, as the pagans do. For they think that by their excess words they might be heeded." (Mathew 6:6-7). Despite the Lord giving all of us the liberty to pray the God in isolation secretly, the Church has printed (dictated) ship loads of prayer and forcefully distributed commercially among believers. All such things cannot be attributed to Jesus Christ. The Holy Mass is also one of such things.
I would like to request specially nominated Apostolic Administrator His Eminence Archbishop Cyril Vasil that the decision for a uniform celebration of Holy Mass in Syro Malabar Church may kindly be kept in abeyance for a period of two years. We may find some doors opened later. On the other hand if His Grace is taking adamant approach towards this, the irreversible will happen, the Syro Malabar Church will split into two. If that happens those who love the Church so much like me shall never forgive anyone who helped the rift to take place. (Consequent upon my detailed letter addressed to H.E. Maj. Archbishop Cyril Vasil instantly proceeded to Vatican and had a meeting with the Holy Father and returned to Kerala and left the assignment and went back.)
I would also like to request most humbly to the Holy Father to interfere in this issue on top most priority to avoid a split in the Church.
May our Lord Jesus Christ find ways and means to tie over this crisis.
K V George
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