Qualities expected of Syro-Malabar Church Major Archbishop

Qualities expected of our Major Archbishop

(Some of the points are expressed by lay persons in SMC Orkut Community discussions)

1. Pater et Caput (Father and Head)

From the first millennium till date, this rich but simple title is used for the patriarchs. The Major Archbishop being the ‘Father and Head’, the Church should find in him a Father and accept him as the Head.

2. Man of Deep Faith

Biblical Patriarchs like Abraham, Moses, Peter, etc. and the great saints of the Church were people of deep faith who stood strong with the Lord. ‘Rock like faith’ was demanded by Jesus from all especially from Peter. They were led by God and they placed their whole trust in the Lord. They did what He asked them to do, relying totally upon the Divine providence and submitting themselves fully to His hands.

3. Man of God Experience

The Major Archbishop has to be a man touched by God. Through the liturgical celebrations, sermons, encyclicals and other teachings, he is to radiate the divine glow to others. He He is to be able to celebrate Holy Qurbana and other liturgical celebrations with devotion and unction, if possible with good singing and sermons, transmitting God experience.

4. Staunch Catholic

He has to esteem on high the Catholic doctrine. Our Church has always stood strong in communion with the Successor of Peter. Cordial relation with the Ecclesiastical bodies like the Holy See, Catholic Oriental Churches, CBCI, CCBI, KCBC, etc, need to be our priority.

5. Ecumenical Figure

Developing ecumenical fellowship is the need of the time with the aim of bringing the non-Catholics to the full communion and fostering the work of charity together.

6. Good Co-ordinator

Our Church has many eparchies, mission areas, varieties of culture, language, etc. We have a very rich human resource like many priests, religious, seminarians, lay persons working inside and outside the territorial boundaries of SMC as well as in Latin dioceses and religious congregations. We have unresolved problems like all India jurisdiction; pastoral care of migrants in India, Gulf and European countries; getting deserted Kerala families due to migration and less number of children; unity and uniformity in liturgical celebration; influence of Pentecostal groups; complex socio-political scenario; undue importance of media; issues related to education, administration and institutions; etc. Knitting well the synod of Bishops, permanent synod, the Curial and auxiliary bishops, Major Archiepiscopal curia, the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly in a just, fruitful and effective manner may not be easily done. Only a well organized co-ordinator can adequately face these situations.

7. Global Church Mission Visionary

Flooding migration in the global scenario amounts to not only complexity but also challenges. Meeting the pastoral needs of the SMCians, empowering them to strengthen the dying local Churches in the West and making them instruments and channels of re-evangelization and evangelization are the tasks of a Global Church Mission Visionary who has to attend to these subjects with due seriousness.

8. Defender of Eastern-ism

SMC, being an Eastern Church, the Major Archbishop is to have deep knowledge in Oriental Liturgy, Theology, Spirituality and Discipline. The deposit of faith and the Law of Thomas need to be meaningfully preserved and protected and developed for organic growth with utmost care balancing various ideologies and school of thoughts, existing in our Church.

9. Bridge Builder

With the people of different walks of life, caste, creed, religion, whenever and wherever a bridge is to be built, the Major Archbishop needs to be open and be whole heartedly ready.

10. Diplomat

Tackling the issues diplomatically with the Holy See, Latin Hierarchy and politicians without offending anyone at the same time making sure of stating the difference in the point of view and getting things done is a rare quality, desirable in the Major Archbishop.

11. Experienced Administrator

The Major Archbishop is to have administrative knowledge and experience in dealing with extra ordinary and difficult situations. He needs to guide with wisdom and deep understanding and should never hesitate to take bold decisions for the good of the Church and for the glory of God.

12. Motivating Moral and Spiritual Leader

Whoever comes in touch with the Major Archbishop, be able to experience a divine light shining in him. The people need to experience in him a great moral-spiritual leader. They will flock to him to receive divine blessings, to enjoy his graceful presence, to be spiritually nourished and motivated, to assimilate his spiritual words and to follow his morally sound activities, accepting him a guru or a hero.

Conclusive Note:

Apart from the above said qualities, the following are some of the much appreciated virtues in the Major Archbishop such as holiness, sincerity, honesty, simplicity, openness, truthfulness, transparency, nobility, meekness, listening and understanding capacity, respect for the other, respect for decentralization, refined styles, etc.

Gone are the days of disunity and disharmony thanks to the efforts of God-sent Vithayathil Pithav. He spoke openly on ‘crucifying obedience’ and roared boldly about the ‘injustice done to our Church’. Today he seems to be whispering to us that the crucifying obedience need not be at the cost of tolerating injustice and the time is matured enough to transform crucifying obedience to martyrdom for justice. The Church, clarifying its vision and mission, should commit herself to stand united to lead justice to victory (Mt 12:20). Through innovative methods, our Church needs to explore new styles of dialoguing with the Latin Hierarchy, respecting the laws of the Church and remaining in full communion with the successor of Peter.

Fr. Francis Eluvathingal

Chancellor, Diocese of Kalyan