THE KAROL
BAGH - PRASAD NAGAR ISSUE
AN OVERVIEW
Today the Syro-Malabar community of the National Capital Region (NCR) is well-organized and are informed of their rights and privileges as an indigenous and independent Rite in the Catholic Church. But the recently evolved situations are in one way taking our memories back to the first centuries where we struggled for our identity and existence. Given below are some of the developments of the near past which in one way paved way for the September 23rd issue of offering Holy Qurbana in a Hindu Community Hall.
The whole story has the
following sequence:
After fourteen long years of wait and struggle the Syro-Malabar believers at St. Michael’s Church, Prasad Nagar, got a sigh of relief on 29th July 2007 at the order of His Grace, Vincent Concessao, Fr. George Manimala officially inaugurated a separate parish by the name of “St. Augustine’s Church, Karol Bagh” and also installed formally Rev.Fr. Reju Kannanpuza its first parish priest. But on Sunday 5th August when the faithful arrived for the mass (Their first Mass with their new Parish Priest) they were informed that there would be no Syro-Malabar mass on that day because the Church authorities feared some anti-Christian tension in the church premises if this Mass was allowed. Meanwhile there is a small group of people who are manipulating the whole situation and instigating the Latin Parish priest against the Syro-Malabar faithful. The result was seen very fast when they managed a friction between the Syro-Malabar and the Latin faithful in the Church Premises and Police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. Thus an atmosphere of tension and law and order situation was created artificially to explain away even the possibility of a future Syro-Malabar Mass. The so-called “tension” is non existent.
From 5th August
onwards for the eight consecutive Sundays (Days of Obligation) the Syro-Malabar
faithful had no venue to offer Holy Qurbana for the faithful. Meanwhile the
efforts were made from the part of the Diocesan authorities and our mission in
charge to settle this problem amicably. But a handful of ‘arrogant’ faithful in
the Karol Bagh parish are adamant that they would never permit Syro-Malabar
Mass there. The Archbishop of Delhi and Episcopal Vicar Fr. George Manimala
have been of good support to us all through these years in all other mass
centres and parishes. But at this particular
situation they look totally confused and helpless. Archbishop is helpless
before the parish priest who alone is the cynosure of this event.
Now the faithful of the parish have taken every step and gone through all kinds of pain all these days and they have let their mind and feelings known to all authorities concerned. So far no one has taken any action other than some peripheral discussions. Archbishop himself has asked us to find out some halls or schools where we can conduct our Sunday services. The parishioners, on their own, arranged a protest Dharna in front of the Archbishop’s house. It did not find any solution to the tension other than some soothing words from the Archbishop. As there was no solution even after the repeated efforts to resolve the issues the parishioners came together and requested for a Eucharist at any convenient place. Finally with the help of many we found a Community Hall owned by the Valmiki temple trust. The venue was selected not to tarnish our Catholic identity but because that was the only venue available and convenient. After all, we were hunting for a venue to conduct the Sunday obligations for the last two months. The diocesan authorities were promptly informed of our plan to celebrate the Eucharist in that particular community hall. We had very well covered the wall pictures with curtains and carpets were spread on the floor to celebrate the Eucharist in an atmosphere of a chapel (photos attached). The pictures appeared in the media were taken when the whole programme was over and a small meeting was being conducted to discuss some important matters concerning the Parish activities and the upcoming events. The tent walas were dismantling the tents and curtains while our meeting was going on. That is why some wall pictures were seen in the clippings shown in the media. We are sorry that the interpretation and analysis of the media have hurt the feelings of Catholics at large. As loyal catholics, we have never denied and ever deny the authorities of the Church.
We believe that the will of God is revealed in all the difficult situations. At the same time we appreciate the persistence and good will of all well wihsers who support the faithful of the newly erected St. Augustine’s parish in their painful moments. Whatever covered and published by the media that brought disgrace to our Catholic brethren was never endorsed by us.
Epilogue
There are certain anti-Christian elements playing their tricks amidst this scenario. We strongly feel that there is a group of people behind the curtain who are neither interested in practicing their faith nor allowing others by manipulating the situation. They bring in all their crooked ways, which in fact are against the Christian values, to bring division in the community and thus spoil harmony and well being of all faithful. “For the sons of this world are more crooked than the sons of the light….” We are all trying together with the cooperation of the Archdiocese to pacify the faithful ask them to pray and cooperate for a peaceful settlement. We hope that the Syro-Malabar Synod and the Church authorities will find some amicable solution at the earliest.
Fr. Jose Edassery MA, MBA
Co-ordinator, Delhi Syro-Malabar Mission
533, Double Storey, New Rajinder Nagar,
New Delhi 110060, Ph: 09871084084
011-28745050, 011-28744092 (Fax)