The Coonan Cross Oath
Bishop Ros S.J. died in
1624.His successors were
Jesuits. The St. Thomas
Christians continued their
request for East Syrian
Bishops. In 1652 a certain
Ahatallah arrived at Mylapore
claiming to be sent by the
Pope, as the Patriarch of All
India and China. The
Portuguese authorities
deported him to Goa via
Cochin. The Archdeacon
followed by a number of people
went to Cochin and demanded to
see the Patriarch and to
examine his credentials. They
wanted his release only in
case his credentials were
found true. The Portuguese
would not agree. Further false
news was spread that he was
drowned by the Portuguese.
They moved to Mattancherry
near Cochin, tied a long rope
to the cross known as “Coonan
Cross ” and touching the rope
they swore that they would
never be under the Jesuits.
The “Coonan Cross Oath ” was a
revolt against the imposition
of the Latin hegemony.23 24
over the St. Thomas
Christians, a desperate
attempt of the people who were
losing their autonomy and
identity. The rule of the
Latin bishops was never
accepted by the St. Thomas
Christians. |
