“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.” Voltaire.
What took place in Chaithanya Pastoral Centre on April 1, 2012 was sad. It is deplorable. After the emotion-charged speeches of some Knanaya leaders, when the Archbishop was invited to speak and explain the reasons for his stand, he was not given a fair hearing. A section of the audience continuously booed him, heckled him, and would not let him complete his presentation. Such insult to the invited guest, who also happens to be the pastor of the Knanaya Catholic diocese, is also an insult to the whole community. Whatever be the intensity of the controversy, the audience should have had the courtesy to listen to the Archbishop. Instead, a noisy section of the gathering took upon themselves the task of determining who could speak and who would not be allowed to express their thoughts. That was worse than a farce.
The organizers should apologize to the Archbishop and to the community for the deplorable conduct of a section of the audience. It is not in the tradition of the Knanaya community to commit patricide. In centuries past there were numerous instances of disagreements and controversies. But the community has always been respectful of the pastors. We must not lose our moorings.
April 1, 2012 was indeed a sad day for the Knanaya Catholic community. May it never be repeated.
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