K.J. Devasia

It is well-known that the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Kerala have a tendency to migrate to different parts of India and even abroad in search of better prospects of living, transcending the barriers of language and culture. The present Syro-Malabar Catholic Community living within the jurisdiction of the Latin Archdiocese of Delhi is no exception to the above.

The Syro-Malabar Catholic faithful constitute the majority among the Catholics in the entire Archdiocese of Delhi. The tendency of migration to various parts of India, to a large extent, started after Independence. At that time, there was no arrangement for their pastoral care. Hence, it was very difficult for them to keep their identity as Syrian Christians and their liturgical and spiritual need s could not be taken care of. They had to adopt a different liturgy and culture in their worship entirely different from their own, that is, the Latin liturgy, because they were not allowed to worship in their own Rite and language due to the problem of jurisdiction. The Latin Hierarchy in Delhi did not show any interest to take care of the pastoral activities of the Orientals. There was no regular Holy Mass in Malayalam. Although there was a Mass in Malayalam during 1980s, it was neither in Syro-Malabar Rite nor Latin Rite. There were no priests from their own Rite available for the proper pastoral care. In a sense, they were like 'sheep without shepherd'. There were no Mass Centres or institutions of their own in Delhi. About half of the faithful showed interest in their own liturgy and Rite, while the rest of them did not find favour with their liturgy and Rite.

Under the above circumstances, with the retirement of the then Archbishop, late His Grace Angelo Femanades, there was a change of guard in the Delhi Archdiocesan Hierarchy. His Grace (late) Alan de Lastic took over the charge as Archbishop of Delhi in 1991. The contributions made by His Grace to the growth of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and its faithful in Delhi are commendable and will be remembered for ever. He was a scholar in Oriental Canon Law as well as Inter-Ritual Relations. He was well aware of the contributions being made by the Syro- Malabar Catholic Church and its faithful in Delhi towards the overall development of the Archdiocese of Delhi. He appointed a Chaplain in the person of Rev. Dr. Sebastian Vadakkumpadan for the pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese in April 1991. This was one of the most important contributions of His Grace towards the proper pastoral care of the 'diaspora'.

Ever since the appointment of Rev. Dr. Sebastian Vadakkumpadan as the Chaplain of the community, the growth of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Delhi was remarkable. This was a turning point in the history of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Delhi. Under his able leadership, he could bring his faithful under one umbrella within no time. For this purpose, he started a survey of the faithful living within the Latin Archdiocese of Delhi with the approval of late Archbishop Alan. But unfortunately, the survey had to be stopped mid-way due to non-cooperation and objections from within the community itself" and also from the Latin Hierarchy in Delhi. However, it was revealed that approximately there are 75,000 to 1 lakh Syro-Malabar Catholic faithful living within the jurisdiction of the Latin Archdiocese of Delhi. The Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish alone is having about 2000 Syro-Malabar Catholics. As per the memorandum signed between the late Archbishop Alan and Rev. Dr. Sebastian Vadakkumpadan in 1991, in almost all the Mass Centres, Syro-Malabar Holy Mass is being celebrated on all Sundays. It is worthwhile to mention here that in spite of having the status as the Cathedral situated in the heart of the capital, in the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, this Mass is being celebrated on 2nd and 4th Sundays only.

A Committee consisting of about 10-15 members are actively involved in the affairs of the community in the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish. The Chaplain of the Community is the Priest-in-Charge of the Community there. Similarly, for each Mass Centre/Parish, there are local committees to look after the affairs of the community. At the time of taking over charge as Chaplain by Rev Dr Sebastian Vadakkumpadan, there were only two or three convents of various Syro-Malabar congregations in Delhi. Now, the number of convents of various Syro- Malabar religious congregations working in various mission fields has increased to more than 30, out of which 8 convents are situated in Sanjoepuram Children's Village at Chandpur (Faridabad) alone where the sisters are working among the physically and mentally challenged children. St Joseph's Service Society is the handiwork of Rev Dr Sebastian and he is the President of the Society. Under his stewardship, the Society is rendering yeomen service in various fields. This is one of the notable achievements of Rev Dr Vadakkumpadan. As mentioned earlier, there was no arrangement for the Syro-Malabar Mass on Sundays and other important feast days till 1980s. But, now the situation has totally changed. Under Rev Dr Vadakkumpadan's stewardship, he started more than 35 Mass Centres within the entire Archdiocese of Delhi, and now Syro-Malabar Mass is being celebrated on Sundays/important feast days in all the above mentioned Mass Centres. He had to face a lot of problems in getting permission to celebrate Syro-Malabar Mass and other liturgies on Holy Week/Feast Days etc. due to the objections from the Latin Hierarchy in Delhi.

As mentioned above, there was no forum for the Syro-Malabar Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese of Delhi either for a get together or for cultural activities. Rev Dr Sebastian Vadakkumpadan started Syro-Malabar Catholic Convention in the year 1998. From 1998 onwards, this is an ongoing process. Prior to each Convention, every year Santhome Festival is being conducted to encourage the faithful in cultural and artistic activities and prizes are being distributed for the deserving people.

But it is a matter of great regret that a Diocesan Synod was held in October 2002. There was a lot of manipulation in the selection of delegates for the Synod. The deliberations and decisions of the Synod paved the way for discontent among our faithful. The Syro- Malabar faithful were not properly represented. It was a pre-planned Synod to frustrate the activities of the Syro- Malabar faithful and was also a calculated attempt on the part of the Latin Hierarchy in Delhi not to create a Syro- Malabar Diocese in Delhi. The SYnod paved the way for division among the Syro- Malabar Catholic faithful" that is, Practicing Syro-Malabar Faithful and Non-Practicing Syro-Malabar Faithful. A large majority among our own faithful connived with the Latin Hierarchy to frustrate our activities to serve their own personal interests. In the light of the recommendations of the Synod, six Personal Parishes were set up by His Grace Vincent M Concessao, Archbishop of Delhi in May 2003 for the pastoral care of the Orientals. These Personal Parishes are a milestone in the history of the Oriental Pastoral Care. I t is worth mentioning that in all the above mentioned Personal Parishes, Syro-Malabar Pastoral Services are going uvrn full measure. However, it is submitted that the criteria adopted by His Grace in allocating the above Personal Parishes area-wise are not in proper order. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Community in Delhi are looking forward to have more Personal Parishes within the Latin Archdiocese of Delhi. Also, they are eagerly looking forward to an order from the Holy See for the' All India Autonomy', a Syro-Malabar Diocese in Delhi and Patriarchal Status to the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church in the near future.