EVOLUTION OF ST. THOMAS SYRO-MALABAR MISSION OF TORNTO

1. (This is a brief history of the evolution of Syro-Malabar Community in Toronto, Canada. Our God-fearing, Church-loving friend, Rebel, has been kind enough to sent us this report. The parallels in the evolution of both Chicago and Toronto Syro  Malabar Missions are unmistakable. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Rebel.)
    Let me give you some insight into the history of Toronto Syro Malabar Catholics. In Toronto we started celebrating Holly Mass occasionally in the early 80s. The purpose was not only to worship but also for socializing and get to know each other as a  community. Everybody considered it as a very good intention. It was a celebration in many ways. It was a union of Malankara, Latin, Kanaya and the Syro-Malabar Catholics. Remember, all of these Rites originated due to the difference in opinion of our Leaders for self interest and leadership. Our religious leaders and political leaders are not different in nature. One commonality is that they never tell you the truth. As the community grew, the Arch Diocese of Toronto allowed us to share one of their own churches and we celebrated Mass there every week-free of charge. In fact, Sunday was a special day for all.The Arch Diocese did not impose any rules on the community other than the ones insisted by the Priest in charge. The newborns were baptized, the dead were buried, marriages were blessed, houses were blessed etc. In fact everything went so smoothly, in peace and in harmony. Syro Malabar Leadership in Kerala was watching eagerly the growth of Malayalee Catholics in North America like a hawk to impose their rule in North America. They felt it is a green pasture for them. Do not forget that Syro Malabar had appointed CMI Bishops in some poor Mission centers in North India where they had no interest due to the lack of luxury. As a first step they sent a one-man delegation (a CMI Bishop) to North America to study the reaction of Kerala Catholics. The CMI Bishop was welcomed by the North American CMI priests with the hope that they will one day get a CMI Bishop. North American Catholics rejected the idea of a Diocese and a Bishop. For a while there was no talk about the Bishop and the Diocese, but the worship and social activities continued and every body lived in harmony and friendship. Contrary to the expectation of the CMI community, Angadiath was appointed as the first Bishop. It was one of the nastiest tricky game Syro Malabar played sending a CMI Bishop to North America first and appointing a Diocesan priest as Bishop. Do not forget CMI was the front runners in North America and they deserved to be treated better. In fact, the Diocesans are reaping the reward of the hard work of the CMI. As time went by, Malankara split away due to the self interest and narrow mindedness, stimulated by the Kerala Leadership. The church continued under the direction of the Toronto Arch Diocese absolutely without problems. Every body enjoyed the church and the community.
   
   Since 2005, there was an influx of new people who arrived from Persian Gulf and other parts of the world who were deprived off their religious rights where they lived previously. They arrived with young children and when they found out the religious freedom we were enjoying they became so excited and some of them even became born-again. I did not see much co-operation from them other than their self interest of teaching catechism to their children. Some of them were there only for leadership. When they lost their chance for the leadership they turned against the CMI priest who was in charge of the church at the time
   
   
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   Some bad elements, self interested and greedy for leadership formed an organization called SMCC (Syro-Malabar Catholics of Canada),and started their own agenda of harassing the Toronto Arch Bishop, with the blessing of the Chicago Mission. Finally Toronto Arch Diocese transferred the Apostolic right to Chicago. From now on Chicago will look after our spiritual needs and recommend a priest for the parish; Toronto Arch diocese will issue the appointment order.
   
   Couple months ago one CMI priest took charge as the new Parish Priest, but he was ousted by Chicago and replaced with Chicago’s own. A Toronto millionaire has offered 6 acres of land to build a new church, sounds like a good gesture, not sure what his motives are.
   
   
   Every year, we have set aside a day for Ecumenism. It is the joke of the century. It is a movement promoting unity among Christian churches or denominations through greater cooperation and improved understanding.
   If CMI and the Diocesan priests cannot get along, or never mind, the 18 or so Bishops of Syro-Malabar Church are not united, how on the earth they can unify the other groups? They are not preaching from their heart. Their preaching is nothing more than a political speech. I had respect for them when I kept a distance. As I got more and more close to them I lost the respect.
   
   A few years ago a dioscesan priest visited Toronto and did the Homily. His homily was not about the Bible reading. He used the opportunity to critisize the Latin Church in a big way. I still remember his words “there is a big difference between Latin and Syro Malabar Rights”.
   
   What a shame, these are the leaders who preaches about Ecumenism! I can only sympathize with their attitude. Did the priest come here to unite us or divide us? Chicago represent Catholics from all over Kerala, how on the earth they can impose one Bishop’s interest on the rest of the community by putting veil at the Altar and changing the cross to Mar Thoma cross. For the leaders it is business as usual, for us is hope for salvation.
   
   Conclusion
   
   

   • Toronto Syro Malabar Catholic community was a united society, living in harmony. But we are not sure what the future is.
   • For this division Fr. Madathiparambil and Bishop Angadiath are totally responsible.
   • Rules and regulations will be imposed on us against our will, but on our expense.
     
   • SMCC (radical group) will regret for their action when they face the reality.
   • Chicago already dumped SMCC after they got what they wanted (real nature of church authorities.They don’t need you any more).
   • Chicago’s attitude is “don't tell us what to do, do what we ask you to do”.
     
   • We will be better off without the Chicago Syro Malabar authorities; there will be more peace and harmony in our community without them.
   • Join the main stream church if you can, but Chicago may not give you that choice.
   • Chicago does not want one big church; they want several small churches so that they can have another Bishop for Canada to harass us.
     
   • CMI is the lesser of two evils .
     
   • We wish they left us alone. We don’t need them to pray to God on our behalf. They are not standing for our well being, they are here to harass us.
   • The issues have only started not ended. Wait and see.
   • Please send a personal copy to our Syo Malabar hierarchy in Chicago.