It is Christmas 2009.
In this season of Peace and Happiness Syro-Malabarians in Chicago has nary a thing to cheer about
in respect to their much vaunted new cathedral, the diocesan and parish authorities or the direction of the Mission itself.
The bishop has been the greatest of all disappointments, to say the least. The world knows our bishop is not a man of charisma or scholarship. But as a priest, prior to his elevation as our bishop, he was considered by those who knew him to be a simple man of great simplicity, humility and spirituality. It was these very qualities that persuaded the skeptical majority of the Syro-Malabar faithful in the US to accept him as their bishop.
But many of Mar Angadiath's actions and policies subsequent to his elevation to the bishopric have been highly controversial and divisive. His desire to have a Cathedral built for him so early in his bishopric in itself was immature, vain and consequently disastrous for the Chicago Syro-Malabar Community. Despite squandering a princely sum of over 11 million dollars for the new cathedral, there is nothing for them to show for it, in respect to added conveniences and amenities. Indeed the opposite has been the result as any regular church attendee can see for himself. The net result of this bishop's foolhardiness is the faithful is left with a large debt and a hefty mortgage.
The transition of the gentle and peaceful Fr. Angadiath to an arrogant, vain and fanatic Bishop Angadiath was a gradual one. He waited patiently, and bode his time to finally show his real, albeit, ugly face and bare his cruel teeth of fanaticism. He waited till the construction of the new cathedral was finished. That was when he, out of the blue, proclaimed that the new cathedral should comply with the Chaldean traditions. Despite the vehement opposition of a great majority of his parishners, he insisted an altar veil be hung separating the faithful from what he calls the "holy of holies". He also proclaimed the Marthoma Cross as the real true cross and elevated it into the highest place of honor at the altar. Any one who has been in our cathedral can see the veil was not in the original plan. He can also see for himself the ridiculous sight of two crosses adorning the altar: one the real Crucifix on the left and the other on the right, his so-called Marthoma cross. If the visitor is an impartial individual he might even wonder why Bishop Angadiath would let the Crucifix with Christ's body be in the church if he really believes the Marthoma cross is the the true cross. If Bishop Angadiath believes the Marthoma Cross is the true cross then he should show the courage to remove the Crucifix from the church. But he does not have the courage to do that. He knows he will have a rebellion to deal with if he so much as thinks about it.
This veil hanging, double Cross hanging fiasco by the bishop has made him the laughing stock of the whole would. Here is a man who is utterly incapable to do anything, trying to solve centuries old issues of the Syro-Malabar Church with his unilateral actions in Chicago. He achieved it through deception and disinformation. He sensed, rightfully so, that if his real intentions were known to the general public, his dream of a new cathedral would would have been just that: a dream. Instead he lied, misled, and deceived the very same people whom he was ordained to lead, protect and guide as their own father. Over thirty years of unity and brotherhood that was the envy of Syro-Malabar communities world over, was trampled over mercilessly and destroyed by this single man. His selfish, stupid, egotistic and sectarian policies have wounded the very soul of a great majority of this community, which sure will take generations to heal.
And it is this wounded, divided and confused people celebrating the Christmas of 2009.
Wish you a convenient parking space! Or any parking space at the least! Let your cars not be ticketed. Much less towed! Let your mothers and wives and children not slip fall in the ice outside and granite inside! These are our little wishes for our readers.
1 comment:
Thoughts : "I am not going to care whatever you guys say!!. I will stick with my policy and that is my decision !"
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