I was so amazed to hear that there are a lot of people outside the United States who love us-mainly Knanaya brothers and sisters in Kerala, as well as Europe and the Middle East. I always think we are the special group of people, who can only be knanaya by birth, and remain Knanaya only if we marry another Knanaya (“janmam kondum, karmam kondum”).Over the last sixteen hundred years, we’ve been blessed by God by staying as one group. I can assure you that our ancestors have had to suffer to maintain our group. The issue we are facing in the United States concerns Knanaya members all over the world. I am so ashamed of the knanaya community leaders, especially local associations and KCCNA, because they didn’t inform where they stand, what their actions and how we are going to solve the crisis in the United States. Here KCCNA is concerned about the convention and how to increase the number of registration. Let me kindly say that convention is only a gathering to promote social and cultural activities. There are more important issues that need to be solved at hand. We, the members of Knanaya are so confused where we will go from here. I remember a song , “ Porrumo Namellam Thanimayil Anumanichidam”. For hundreds of years, we follow endogamy, which makes us different from the rest of the catholic in the world. We fight, we argue, but at the end of the day, we are one family called,”Knanaya”. I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say, that not a single member of our community wants to change what we follow.
There are many reasons why we oppose Arch Bishop Moolakat membership criteria.
What is the future of our present youngsters?
If we allow this to occur, we are basically encouraging youngsters to marry from outside our community. After 20-50 years, the new group will take over our core culture. This is just a beginning. First they want Knanaya husbands or wives to be a member. Later, the rest of the family members will become members of our church. This should not happen.
Will the new rule extend toward Europe and the Middle East and eventually to INDIA?
Ultimately in the future, they will suffer what we are going through here in the US. Will you allow this to happen to our brothers and sisters around the world?
If we allow this, we will never get jurisdiction power outside of Kerala.
As you all know, in Kerala, about 65% of Knanaya youngsters are migrating to a different part of the world. You could imagine what would happen to our endogamy after 50 years. This is just the beginning of a great tsunami. At any cost, we the knanaya “makkal” will defeat this great rising.
We will not rest until:
1. The Kottayam bishop will have jurisdiction over all Knanaya members throughout the world.
2. We will fight for the Kottayam diocese under direct jurisdiction from Rome
These are the plans:
Phase I :
1. Spread the news by electronic media throughout the world mainly, Europe, the Middle East, Kerala, and Australia.
2. Local associations obtain members’ opinion.
3. Withdraw financial support to Knanaya churches in the US.
4. Support KCCNA & local associations to achieve our goal.
5. Unite all Knanaya members.
Phase II:
1. Along with KCYL and various youth associations, create a data-base for the youngsters.
2. Sign mass petitions, which should be sent to Kottayam, Rome, and syro-Malabar. Assist local associations & KCCNA for the mass petition.
Phase III:
1. Noncooperation to syro Malabar churches.
2. Cancel all missions in the US.
3. Ensure the non-cooperation policy of KCCNA towards Syro Malabar dioceses is adhered by all units.
4. If Kottayam doesn’t accept legitimate demands, extend the non-cooperation to Kottayam.
Before I conclude let me say that we as a Yuajanavedhi, NY will not rest until the mission at hand is accomplished. Like Indhira Gandhi once said, “I will fight for India, until the last drop of my blood sheds”. So my dear brothers and sisters, this is the time to wake up and fight for the common good. This is the time not to fight, but to unify under one roof. I request local IKCC leaders to inaugurate Phase I this Saturday. May God bless all Knanaya brothers and sisters.
Thank You,
Sajan Augustine Kuzhiparimbil
Director of Yuajanavedhi, NY,
No comments:
Post a Comment