My dear Knanaya community members,
First of all, wish you all a healthy, prosperous, and Happy New Year in advance, filled with hope, peace and blessings.
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Anto Simon, Kandoth, (Originally from Varappetty Parish in Kerala) and I currently living in Detroit, Michigan, a member of KCS Detroit-Windsor, married to Lovely (Neettukattu, Uzhavoor ) and have a daughter Anna, 5 years old. Following my local association’s endorsement and support, I humbly offer my services to this great community and seek the position of General Secretary of Knanaya Catholic Congress of North America (KCCNA).
As you know, our community is going through tremendous challenges and we are experiencing great anxiety, threat, and uncertainty about our future. Many are troubled and confused by the ultimatums and the difficult choices presented to us by the church as our only way forward. Some feel a sense of despair, some feel helpless and discarded, and yet some feel just plain angry and disgust from the entire process.
Dear friends, this is not the kind of experience I had growing up, not the “formula” we prayed and hoped for and certainly not the kind of environment we want for our children to be raised in. But this definitely is not the time to be passive and simply accept this as ourfate. Passive is not the way our forefathers wanted us to take on the challenges and it certainly is not a dignified way to pay homage to our ancestors.
The dynamics of our community’s relationship with the Syro Malabar hierarchy is not exactly what one would expect in a patriarchal arrangement. In my view, there is no point in having futile talks and discussions with the Syro-Malabar authorities in the USA. Instead, I would stick to the policy followed by many of our current and former lay leaders, with the support and assistance of several community loving priests. While we are fully committed to working with the hierarchy and church authorities, we cannot let ourselves be downgraded to the second fiddle
For a community like ours that hold faith so closely to our existence, we need to step up and take equal responsibility and ownership in all affairs of our community. We must have the vision of what is needed for our young children in North America for them to grow up as a good citizens of this country. The reasons that keep our youth away from not only our Churches, but also from our programs need to be explored and practical solutions must be sought. It is our responsibility to vigorously pursue what is good for our children and their future in North America.
KCCNA, under past leaderships, has bravely faced these challenges in our community. Although we may not have won all the battles, we are proving that with strong leadership, we can stand up to these challenges. Today, more than ever, there is a need for a visionary and strong leadership for our associations, especially KCCNA. There is a need for open, trustful and committed partnership with community loving Priests that will allow both sides to put the community interest first.
I shall ensure that the KCCNA - as a community organization - does not bow down in front of anyone who do not recognize our community’s identity and respect its heritage . It is this “Dream” that prompted me to seek your permission and blessings to be your General Secretary of KCCNA. As your elected KCCNA representative, my commitment first and foremost is to safeguard our traditions, our core pillar, and endogamy in all Knanaya structures. I will not compromise on this nor will I back down on our legitimate demand on safeguarding our identity. I truly believe that an endogamous Knanaya church/mission structure and community association must work in as equal partners, not as parent and child. I will not allow KCCNA to be swallowed by the ecclesiastical and religious leadership, and shall resist any attempt from any authority to water down the legacy we inherited from our forefathers over the past several centuries.
This is a firm commitment I am making to my fellow Knananites. So I am humbly requesting the support of all Knanaya community members, especially national committee members, towards this common goal of proving that we are a community paying homage to our forefathers in a dignified, unique way and zero tolerance towards our enemies whoever it may be. Let us prove the rest of world that now, we are united and that “ Blood is thicker than water”.
My personnel response to the latest development in the community will be communicated to all of you very soon.
Anto Simon Kandoth
antosimon@yahoo.com
(248) 320 0693
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