Please pray for my community

[Thomas48]

Dear Friends I ask you to please pray for the Knanaya Catholic Community in this troubling time for us. I know that many of you do no support the idea of endogamy but please pray for us to find some sort of resolution. There have been talks that the CBCI (Catholic Bishops Council of India) have issued statements that Knanaya centered parishes outside of Kerala will no longer be allowed at all. There are Knanaya Catholics basically every where that the Syro Malabar diaspora has traveled, in these new areas (besides the U.S) Knanayas have been newly disallowed the right to even build parishes it seems.

CBCI Statement-
“In other words, at the level of CBCI, nowhere in India (or elsewhere) separate parishes will be allowed outside (exclusively) the SMC parish for the Knanaya Community ; that’s against the inclusive policy.”

In the new Syro Malabar diocese of Faribad, the situation has deteriorated to the point where sadly 50 Knanaya Catholic families have left the Catholic Church and joined the Knanaya Syriac Orthodox Church where Knanaya traditions are cherished and fostered. Mar Matthew Moolakkattu (Archbishop of Kottayam and Leader of the Knanaya Catholics) has filed report after report to the CBCI and Mar George Alencherry, to help and support his sheep but nothing seems to be happening. Last year when Knanayas in the U.S took to the streets in protest, Mar George Alencherry promised he would take the issue to Rome and bring a reply, no such reply has been received. There have been rumors that the young Major Archbishop Mor Baselios Cleemis is one of the few members of CBCI that is ready to step up for the Knanaya Catholics, this is some what hopeful for us. For 100 years Kottayam Diocese flourished, we have no idea what the future holds for us now.

Mor Baselios Cleemis Meeting with the Knanaya Catholic Congress Members
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net...0x720/1560525_639633952763719_245630348_n.jpg

 

[manini]

I will be praying for your community. I hope you will get help and answers soon.

 

[tawny]

Praying for their intentions.

 

[pollylodges]

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

 

[Thomas48]

The Knanaya Catholics of North America had our national convention within this weekend. During the event 6000 Knanayas were present which is a large portion of our community in the United States. During the convention we had a town hall type meeting with Mar Matthew Moolakkattu present, the people shared the concerns and grievances with him. Tensions were extremely high during the entire meeting. People repeatedly asked the question, “what is the point of having Knanaya Parishes and Missions in North America, if endogamy cannot be practiced”.

There was a high level of dissension towards the Syro Malabar Church and Mar Jacob Angadiath. In the end of the meeting three choice type conclusions were thrown out, extend the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan of Kottayam to the United States, erect a diocese strictly for the Knanaya people in the United States, and last and the most extreme, leave the Syro Malabar Church and move towards a particular church of our own. Mar Matthew Moolakkattu stated that all three would be very hard to do because of endogamic practice but he supports our cause as our leader completely. The community has requested Mar Matthew to go to Pope Francis himself on this matter and to stop using intermediaries. It was sadly mentioned also that, our passion as Knanayas was also our downfall, Rome had accepted a request for an auxiliary bishop strictly for the Knanaya Catholics under St. Thomas diocese but because of our protest march in 2013, the Church was insulted and returned the appeal citing "stop the procedure ", for the new bishop.

 

[jeannetherese]

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

Amen.