Memo from Knanaya Yuvajanavedi, New York

As you all know, last month we sent out a letter to Knanaya members in the United States. Over the past six years, our religious leaders persuaded us to support the mission so that we could achieve an endogamous church, but now our bishop told us that it is not possible. Does this mean that we should stop what we have practiced in the last 1700 years? We, the New York Knanaya Yuvajanavedi, oppose this policy. Our stance is not against the church. We all need a place to worship and to practice our faith, but we will not compromise or sacrifice our customs and beliefs in the process. An urgent action is needed to help our community survive in the coming years.

Why we oppose the new policy:

1. Generation after generation, we have been practicing endogamy. This practice makes us unique and stand out from other communities like Major Arch Bishop Varkey Vidayathil said“knanaya  community is the 8^th wonder of the world.” We are proud who we are.

2. If we do not oppose this policy now, there is no going back once it is adapted by Church.

3. Is it fair to the Knanaya members in the U.S. who have to follow different rules than Knanaya members in Kerala?  Though we have left India to pursue economical benefit that does not mean we should sacrifice our traditions and beliefs.

4. Just because we follow Syro-Malabar, does that mean we should abandon our traditions? Don’t forget our brothers and sisters are Knanaya Jacobites.

We shall never forget our forefathers who sacrificed life for our tradition .Our forefathers have gone through many hardships, even there was nothing to eat we did not compromise on our beliefs. That’s what Knanaya people are.

This policy has negative effects on our next generation. Show your opposition to the policy. I see people afraid to speak out, even to put their names on paper.

Don’t let these people trick you, let your voices be heard. Remember brave man die only once.

We are not against the church; we are only against the policies that church try to impose on members. We have only one leader, that is Bishop Mathew Moolakat, and his policy is not acceptable , it is the responsibility of our leaders to confront the issue and come up with solution instead of fighting each others. This will prevent us from achieving any goals.

This is the time to show unity so, let’s fight for our goal. Any one who thinks that staying away from the church will make an impact on their decision making, think again. It will not have any significant impact on their policy making.  Remember, only a crying infant will get milk. So I urge you to join the fight.

So my dear Knanaya brothers and sisters it’s time to unite for our common goal. Please send your comments to our blog and we will start sending letters to the bishop council in the United States and to Rome.

Please send comments to: knanayachallenges@gmail.com

Director: Sajan Kuzhiparambil                             President: Thomas Pottamkuzhy