From 'Zero' to 'Syro'

From ‘Zero’ to ‘Syro’

(Published in 'The Lantern', Magazine of the Eparchy of Kalyan, in the first volume, Oct. 2012).

Search for better job opportunities and living conditions generally ends up in migration. Once the basic needs of the body are met, the inner search begins for quenching the spiritual thirst. Even in the search for basic needs of the human being, divine intervention is sought. This phenomenon existed in the history of humanity from time immemorial.

Living Faith and traditions transcend the boundaries. Big cities attracted the educated and the business men of the Syro-Malabar Christians who could not find satisfactory job in Kerala. Under the initiatives of the Church, Kerala did have schools and the Keralites were professionally qualified in many fields. But lack of job opportunities there, a blessing in disguise, has paved the way for the global migration. The presence of Keralites is felt in every part of the globe. The Marthoma Christians, sociologically a very outgoing community among the other Indian communities, did not have much difficulty to get settled in various corners of the globe. This was one of the reasons for the growth of the Syro-Malabar Church which was confined initially to the Kerala territories to grow to a global Church in 20^th and 21^st centuries. This generation is blessed to see and enjoy its worldwide growth.

Reaching Mumbai, Pune, Nasik empty handed and with no one to contact, the stories of the first migrants were not exciting. By the sweat of their brow, they began to earn their livelihood. Despite their hardships, they did not neglect their spiritual life which was deeply rooted in their very being. The Archdiocese of Bombay and Diocese of Pune welcomed the migrants with open arms and later appointed chaplains for the special pastoral care within their limitations. The migrants, in order to take care of their own spiritual needs, with the assistance of some of the priests, founded new associations such as Kerala Catholic Association in Bombay and St. Thomas Catholics of India in Pune. They were able to set apart whatever they could from their resources for their spiritual needs as well as for some infrastructures.

For the migrant Syro-Malabar Catholics, the Church was a ‘zero’ Church in all senses. Many migrant faithful did not know even to spell the name of the Church. They neither had a bishop, nor priests, sisters and seminarians to assist them. There were no churches or other infra-structure. At this juncture, in 1978, Mar Antony Padiyara was appointed Apostolic Visitor to study the situation of the migrant Syro-Malabar Catholics. He visited Mumbai, conducted 18 meetings from 4^th to 18^th February 1979 and a report was submitted in 1980. After lengthy discussions in Vatican, CBCI, SMBC on 30^th April 1988, the Kalyan Eparchy was erected.

Immediately after the inauguration of the Eparchy, in order to cater to the spiritual needs of the faithful, priests were appointed from various dioceses as well as the religious congregations of the mother Church. The new eparchy tried to pave strong foundations for its pastoral development. Maintaining the same territory of the Latin parishes, the new Eparchy also organized pastoral activities for the Syro-Malabar faithful, celebrating liturgy in the Churches of the Latin dioceses. Some priests and seminarians ascribed to the new eparchy in the early years.

In order to make sure of the Christians presence and service in all 15 districts of the Eparchy, 10 of them were entrusted to MST, VC, MCBS and CMI religious congregations. Many religious women came forward to start educational and other social charitable institutions and to assist in the pastoral work.

The faithful wholeheartedly accepted the new arrangement with lots of enthusiasm, though there were a few initial troubles. A minority of the faithful even objected to its establishment and growth. Long Holy Qurbana, new administrational systems, financial burdens to maintain parishes and priests and the weak face of the ‘zero’ church were enough for them to raise their eyebrows. Planting the St. Thomas tradition in this multi religious-linguistic-cultural city was never an easy task. Separating youngsters and children who were part of Latin communities was more painful than the birth of the new diocese. But the lay people, who were thirsty for spiritual nourishments, accepted all the initial sufferings joyfully with great hope. of having the ultimate joy and reward.

The faithful were really generous in their contribution to the needs of the church. Now they are proud to be part of it. The liturgical celebrations are moments of spiritual nourishment and source of strength. All the more, coming together and standing strong as an ecclesial community with some special identity has become part and parcel of life. The family prayer, a strong tradition of the mother church is practiced in the metropolis in spite of the day-to-day difficulties. The activities of Youth, Sunday Catechism, Mathrusangam, Pithruvedi, Kumbakoottayma, Social Action department, Charismatic groups, etc. are going on in full swing.

The ‘zero’ church has grown to a ‘Syro’ Church. Unlike the new dioceses bifurcated from existing dioceses, Kalyan diocese, did not inherit any infrastructural or financial shares. It had to begin from the scratch. Thanks to Divine providence, out of 169 parishes and centres where Sunday liturgy is celebrated at present, 80% infrastructure belongs to the diocese. Now the Eparchy has 64 ascribed and 6 other diocesan priests, 5 religious men congregations with 120 priests and 32 religious women congregations with 375 sisters in 82 convents work zealously in the pastoral, social, charitable, educational, health care fields. 66 seminarians are in various stages of formation. 50 schools and about 50 other educational institutions, 25 boardings and hostels, 15 other social charitable institutions and 3 seminaries are some of the institutions through which divine love to the humanity is witnessed. Apart from Malayalam, Divine Liturgy is celebrated in Hindi, English and Marathi. In 15 districts of Maharashtra, Kalyan Eparchy has jurisdiction in 145,000 sq. kms. Kalyan Eparchy caters to the spiritual needs of around 1 lakh Syro-Malabar faithful. And more than one crore people of other faith benefit one way or the other from the Eparchy.

The Syro-Malabar Church can be proud of the growth of Kalyan Eparchy and she can affirm that it stood with her, in implementing all her decisions. Other Ecclesial and ecumenical relations are also fostered by the Eparchy. Despite the vastness of the cities, a strong bond is created in this minority community. Obedience to the Pope and to his teachings, instructions, and directions is our trademark. The prime duty of evangelization is taken with due seriousness. The Eparchy of Kalyan which has been going ahead from strength to strength as proud Catholics and as deep rooted Syro-Malabarians planted in the soil of Maharashtra now stand at the threshold of its silver Jubilee celebrations!

Fr. Francis Eluvathingal