29-October-2004
Mathrubhumi, dt. 29-Sep-04
Translation by SOCM News Bureau (dt. 30-Oct-2004)
Criticism raised against the leadership of Malankara Orthodox Church in their
Managing Committee meeting, in handling the recent visit of Patriarch of
Antioch.
Many managing committee
members raised their voice against the leadership in the futile attempt to
prevent the Patriarch’s visit. They told that it was unnecessary to do so and
if it was intended to prevent, then at any cost it should have done.
The arguments concluded after the Catholicos agreed to convene another special
meeting to discuss the recent visit of Patriarch and the Church case affairs.
When the Managing Committee held its meeting at the Old Seminary, Mr. P. C.
Cherian demanded that the managing committee should first discuss the failure of
the Church in handling the recent visit of Patriarch. Dr. George Joseph pointed
out that it was the total failure of the Church in taking a step against the
visit and unable to prevent it. Fr. Koshy Mathew and Fr. Simon Scariah
supported this argument. Mr. Jacob Thomas Arikupuram called for the resignation
of the entire advisory body, who given wrong guidance to the Catholicos.
The members came from Delhi complained that certain working committee members
tried to mislead the Church in handling the case in the Supreme Court.
Criticism against Mor Nicolovas, who recently changed his allegiance from the
Patriarch of Antioch and joined with Orthodox group, arised in the managing
committee due to his stand in the Toronto Church issue. The Catholicos indicated
that there would be transfer for the metropolitans in the near future.
There was opposition against passing a resolution in the Managing Committee
congratulating the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Mr. Thomas Kuthiravattom told
that it is unnecessary to pass such a resolution after canceling the dinner
reception arranged earlier for Oommen Chandy. The Church Secretary Alexander
Karakkal explained that the dinner reception is not cancelled, but only
postponed.
The Managing Committee meeting was presided by the Catholicos Baselious Marthoma
Mathews II. The meeting approved the annual report for 2003-2004.