Dear Rev. Fr. Mutholath,
First of all my congratulations for all your efforts in achieving better understanding between Bishop Angadiyath and our Community there in North America. I hope that the establishment of the Knanaya missions in the Syro-Malabar eparchy of Chicago according to the norms of the Church, will certainly be a moment of great importance in the growth and development of our Community in North America.
During my last visit to the States, together with our priests working for the Knanaya Catholic communities there, we had a friendly talk with Bishop Angadiyath in which we told him that we want the Knanaya missions exclusively for Knanaya people, without denying pastoral care also to other people with necessary authorization from their respective ecclesiastical authorities. We also made it clear that according to our tradition only those born from both knanaya parents will be considered kananaya, and that a non-knanaya spouse or their children will not be considered knanaya even though the partner is a knanaya. Although the bishop had shown great understanding with our position, he did not give us a final word, but told that he wanted to have further thinking and discussion on the matter before he could give a definitive reply. We too suggested that the KCCNA also may be called for a next discussion on this matter so that there will be clear understanding for them too regarding the knanaya missions.
When the KCCNA was communicated the developments in this line and asked to participate in the next meeting with the bishop, they had some hesitation to participate in the said meeting, since they felt that there was no clear indication from the part of the bishop regarding any change in his position from that of October last. They did not want to go for a discussion with the bishop till he clarified what he really meant by knanaya mission. Moreover, we too were not in a position to give them cent percent assurance that our proposal will be fully accepted by the bishop. In such a situation they felt that it would be difficult for them to explain to the KCCNA members their participation in the said discussion. Having understood their difficulty we told them that in that case they could abstain from the discussion and the priests can go ahead with the discussions, and before I left the States I had informed bishop Angadiyath that in the proposed discussion, the KCCNA will not participate, but the priests will continue.
I am glad that together with the priests you have taken up the issue where I had left it and Bishop Angadiyath has agreed to what has been proposed by us in the first meeting mentioned above. Now it is up to us to go ahead with the establishment of the knanaya missions according to the norms of the Church and give a clear ecclesiastical footing in the Syro-Malabar Church in North America without sacrificing any of the valuable traditions of Knanaya community.
It is quiet natural that some of our people in North America are still little confused regarding the establishment of the knanaya missions and they are afraid that this move will be detrimental to the community. Now it is up to you and the priests there to make them understand that we are working for the good of the community and that we will never sacrifice the precious values and traditions of the knanaya community. Moreover, by sacrificing our community and its values we are not going to gain anything, rather, if we hesitate to give a strong ecclesiastical basis for the knanaya Catholic Community in North America at this juncture, it can be fatal. So we have to go ahead with full faith in God who has been leading this community in His hand even in situations worse than the present. Now what you priests have to do is to have great understanding for our people and especially to the KCCNA executive. Here in Kottayam we can understand their anxieties and confusions. Please assure them that we are trying not to destroy, but to build up and lead our community to its flourishing in North America. You may remind the KCCNA of what I have told them when I was there. Their vital role in maintaining endogamy and other rich traditions of the community is great and significant. Tell them to trust in God and stand with the pastors in giving courage and comfort to the community. It will indeed be the greatest service they can render to our community for which the coming generations will be grateful to them.
I have written this letter for you in the light of some news we receive here from that part of the world. I do not blame any body if he or she fails to find out the good intentions in this move. Be patient and kind with them, and try to make them understand that if not for the good of our people and our community, our priests are not going to be there. And the priests will be able to do anything for the community only in an ecclesiastical setting. Now that we have achieved it, all may work together for the good of the community and the greater glory of God.
Our Bishop Mar Kunnacherry has endorsed this letter and sends his blessings to you all. You may send a copy of this letter to all our priests there and tell them to communicate it to our Community with great love and blessings of God for which we bishops implore.
Kindly convey our loving regards to Bishop Angadiyath.
Invoking Gods blessings upon you all,
Mar Mathew Moolakkatt
(Coadjutor Bishop of Kottayam)
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