Very confusing signals come daily from the Malankara orthodox and Jacobite factions in the present 100 plus year old Sabha tharkkam (religious dispute) in the land of the oldest Christians in the world, Kerala, India.
While the Malankara Orthodox claim nativity rights of being the oldest Christians on planet Earth from 52 AD in Kerala, India, even before Christianity was accepted as a religion elsewhere in the world, the Jacobites don't go that far back and are more concerned about the Syrian influence through the Portuguese and papal domination and events post 1652 AD.
While the Indian judiciary is totally sympathetic with the indigenous Malankara Orthodox faith for obvious reasons, their 1932 constitution being paramount and in possession of the two thousand plus churches in Malankara, the travails of the Jacobites are increasing day by day. The Indian judiciary finds it difficult to recognize and patronize an alien orthodox sister church from Syria, presently headquartered in Lebanon, wanting to meddle in Indian matters and create disharmony and discord here ..
The Jacobites' desperation and isolation is beyond words and feelings. The moderate Jacobites are waiting for some honourable exit from the long drawn and never ending legal processes and are eagerly looking forward to the merger of the two factions. This is being opposed tooth and nail by the extremists on both sides.
A possible way out of this deadlock is for moderates from both sides having to sit across the table to sort out the differences.
They should try to solve the church dispute given that the court has been kind to both factions and has given them a long rope to hold on to. An atmosphere of give and take is very much needed in a true Christian spirit. But how many of us are true Christians ?
How to ensure an honorable role for the Jacobites in the Orthodox Church proceedings and qurbana without loss of face and self-respect ? It is to be reiterated that the uneducated and uncultured members on both sides have no say in this modern society. They cannot realise the intellectual vanity and futility of their stubborn stand.
There is clearly a big spiritual leadership vacuum in both sides. The sides are more concerned about numbers, wealth, churches and positions, least about spirituality. Sad .. We are making ourselves a big fool in front of other churches and the whole world.
Who will grab the opportunity and give the leadership to take the discussions and talks forward, presently it is hijacked by hard headed elements from both sides, is an interesting question the world is looking forward to find an answer. Naturally the temporary victor, the Malankara Orthodox faction has to take the leadership and the first step of reconciliation as the ball is in their court now.
Let's not be accused of being unintelligent and dumb by posterity of not acting at the opportune moment and losing a chance to bring the oldest Christians of the world together for ever..
George
An interesting writeup.The key wordsi was able to take was how many are true Christians, number of churches, wealth, increase in congregation,positions. No one in the churches are thinking of being true christians. I feel if the moderates could come together and have a dialogue in a peaceful manner it would be a good start. Going to Jacobite churches with court order with no acceptance from the congregation does not benefit Christianity.
ReplyDeleteYes sir.. I agree to your points..
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