A Letter to our new Pastor-at-War - Archbishop Andrews
Dear Archbishop Andrews,
Greetings, peace!
Hope you are blessed with the
peace promised for those who possess goodwill!
Your unfazed and composed
demeanour as it appears on the visual media is a matter I really appreciate - a
great skill, which makes you very strong in the leadership position you are
placed.
I admire your courage to
stick to the policies adopted by the Church (as I gathered, with a majority of
those who are privileged to formulate/enact such policies. Agree that it is no easy
task)
That Rev. Poothavely was
appointed by you as an administrator of the basilica parish of Ernakulam, to
implement the church policy, in the face of the parish priest not doing the
needful according to you, appears to be a fallout of your stance on the
'hierarchical church' evolved from the community of the poor in spirit Jesus had
established or tried to establish.
However, when a eucharistic
celebration was happening in the basilica (I have been a witness to its
blessing by Card. Parecattil), this, your special representative, chose to force another eucharistic celebration (synodal?) on the very same
altar, at the very same time, appears really anti-Christ, legalistic,
ritualistic. I really can't understand what we are trying to prove and
establish.
In fact, though not at all in tune with the museum theology of you and your cronies (you appear to have been a late convert into the fold), I still can very well understand this antediluvian theology, and would rather obey this very unwarranted and anti-christian decision you and other fathers (pithakkanmaar) have forced down our throat, while continuing to critique and oppose it, and trying to evolve incarnational celebration styles that converse with the people of different cultures, ages and localities; and enabling and inspiring them to lead their Christian call more authentically, rather than getting satisfied with the fulfillment of ritual obligations with the tradition kept in tact! I feel this act and initiative on the part of the Rev. bishops are nasty, loathsome and nothing short of power-mongering!
But I marvel that in spite of
this blatantly 'unchristian' and 'anti-christ' activity having taken place, you
as a Christian leader, have neither made any disapproval of this nonsensical
act of your stooge, nor taken any step to bring about reconciliation, your
conviction or political/diplomatic stand notwithstanding. Can't really grasp it
: is the ritual (what we extol or euphemise as 'sacrament') more important than reconciliation in life, and among the people? I wonder whether you are trying
to lead the Church after Christ or after Constantine or Hitler or some of our
present day national and state leaders exhibiting fascist tendencies unabashedly,
while going ga-ga about democracy.
While, personally, I oppose all
these nautanki under the leadership of my fellow priests in
Ernakulam diocese in the name of this sacrament of communion, forgiveness and
reconciliation, I still feel, you being the shepherd, have the greater
responsibility in reigning in restraint, maintaining silence after the pattern of Christ
(which you apparently try to mock-do playing it out diplomatically), and bringing about reconciliation with those whom you consider wayward.
I presented our Major
Archbishop with the same request and he had responded saying that it was not
within his reach now that it is all with the administrator. That means even he
is looking up to you for an action in the right Christian spirit and direction.
I, like several other hundreds
of well-meaning faithful, and perhaps priests and religious, request you to
kindly initiate steps that set aside the
Roman-hierarchical-legalistic-ritualistic framework for the time being, and
promote forgiveness and reconciliation. I request you: Be not a military
general, but a shepherd that seeks after the lost one(s), if you sincerely
think that these people are really lost.
Keeping you and the rest of your bunch of pharisaic power-mongers (this is not really being judgemental, but merely stating observed facts unmincingly - I mean, said without malice, but plainly calling a spade a spade) in my unworthy and humble prayers before the Lord in his own very words: 'Father, these do not know what they are doing, forgive them' and 'Your will be done and Your rule be there over us'; and looking forward to a real Christian leadership from you, beginning with efforts for reconciliation and forgiveness, and assuring all support in that direction,
yours in Christian priestly fellowship, Prasant CMI
Fr .Prashant,
ReplyDeleteYou are hitting the nail where it should . Very very sad state of affairs for Christ's Church, - now reduced to the 'Hoodlums' Church'. We who talk endlessly about peace and reconciliation and claim to be the educators have failed to rise to the occasion . What the Church needs today is not power-brokers, but statesmen-like leaders - at this juncture.
But our leaders of the Church have failed us badly. Many have behaved like cheap street-fighters in their zealousnous to preserve and protect their turf even at the cost of hurting none other than Christ Himself directly.
Very bold piece of writing. But I doubt whether their Eminences and Excellencies will even bother to read it, even if they notice it. Christ and his teachings are, after all secondary to them. Power and dogmatic beliefs are obviously more important.
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