REPORT OF THE COMMISSION FOR ECUMENISM

Mar Mathew Arackal, Chairman

The Commission for Ecumenism is constituted to foster an atmosphere of mutual understanding and dialogue leading to true unity among the Churches. His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil was the Chairperson of this Commission until last year. Through his courageous and visionary initiatives, His Grace laid a strong foundation for the ecumenical ministry.  The members of the reconstituted Commission for Ecumenism are:

a.  Bishop Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath (Member)

b. Bishop Mar Joseph Perurnthottam (Member)

c.  Bishop Mar Mathew Arackal (Chairman)

Our attempt has been to identify areas and projects, which carry an identical social and Christian content wherein the different Christian denominations can work together free of inhibitions. I am glad to present here a brief report on the various ecumenical initiatives we could plan and start working together with our fellow believers of the other Episcopal Churches.

1. Observation of Bcumenical Prayer Week :-

After the example of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, who fervently prayed to His Father for the grace of unity among his disciples, we have also been observing an Ecumenical Prayer Week every year. Imploring the Holy Spirit to move the hearts and minds of all who partake of the same Divine Gospel, all our parishes and institutions observe a week of ardent prayer for abiding unity among followers of Christ. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of His Grace Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil to the success of this programme, by preparing a very inspiring and touching text of prayer for community use in the churches and institutions.

2.  The following are the ventures to promote unity among various Christian denominations:-

I.  Santhome Ecumenical Centre, Nilackal:

The Nilackal Ecumenical Centre, dedicated to our Father, St. Thomas continues to be an ecumenical project. It is a matter of real pride and joy to all "Thomas Christians” of India. It is a bridge that links together the different Episcopal Churches with a –‘Marthoma’ history and is effectively reducing the centuries old mistrust and isolation between the different Churches.

Besides the member Bishops of Non-Catholic Churches, the following Catholic Bishops/Priests are Members of the Ecumenical Trust, Nilackal:

1.  His Beatitude Cyril Mar Cyril Mar Baselios, Major Archbishop of the Malankara Church

2.  His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil, Archbishop of Changanacherry

3.  His Excellency Mar Mathew Arackal, Bishop of Kanjirapally.

4.  His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakattu 

His Grace Philipose Mar Chrysostome, Chief Metropolitan of the Malankara Church is the present Chairman of the Trust. Rt. Rev. Thomas Samuel, Bishop of the C.S.I.  Madhya Kerala Diocese is the Secretary and Sri. P.C. Abraham, Padinjarakara is the Treasurer.  The Centre at Nilackal is ideal for joint programmes of prayer, worship, seminars, dialogues, studies and researches in Church related subjects. The Diocese of Kanjirapally has been designated the custodian of the Trust and a Priest has been appointed as its Resident Administrator. The library and research facilities are being modernized and updated to attract regular studies and research programmes by members of all Christian denominations. Efforts are underway to obtain power connection for the Centre, which is located deep inside the forest.

II. Ecumenical pilgrimage:

One of the memorable events in 2005 has been the joint ecumenical pilgrimage conducted under the auspices of the Nilackal Ecumenical Trust. An ecumenical group consisting of Bishops and members of all representative churches of the Trust undertook a joint pilgrimage to all the important historical places of both Catholic and non-Catholic ownership.

The following were the members of this team:

a.  Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkattu, Archdiocese of Kottayam.

b.  Bishop Joshua Mar Ignatios of Trivandrum Archdiocese

c.  Bishop Mar Mathew Arackal

d.  Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Gregorios of Jacobite Knanaya Church

e.  Rt. Rev. Thomas Samuel, Bishop of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese

f.   Metropolitan Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilose of Marthoma Church

g.  Metropolitan Philipos Mar Eusebius of Syrian Orthodox Church

h. Five lay leaders representing the five member Churches of the Trust.

The team had a very enthusiastic and memorable visit to Rome and Vatican where Card. Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity personally received the delegates and exchanged views with them. His Eminence was kind enough to sponsor the entire expense of the Ecumenical team during their stay in Rome. He did this as a token of appreciation of our sincere efforts at fostering true ecumenical spirit. He was so magnanimous as to arrange a special visit for the team to the holy tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, which in fact enthralled and enthused the team members greatly. For the non-Catholic delegates, this first ever experience of kneeling at the tomb of St. Peter, the head of the first Apostolic College, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which all of them cherished very much. The group also visited the important Christian Centers of non-Catholic churches in London, Germany and Switzerland, where we visited the important places of historical significance, both to the Catholics and non-Catholic denominations.

III Ecumenical response to HIV +ve - Asha Kiran at Pampady

All of us know that AIDS and its socio-human ramifications are not limited to any particular group or sect, but is a universal problem confronting the entire humanity. The Christian response to this tragic development is aimed at the most deserving among the afflicted, namely the children, who for no fault of theirs, find themselves isolated and discriminated against at an age when they should be really moving around freely. An Ecumenical Trust under the name of "ASHA KIRAN" was organized and registered to extend rehabilitation and care to HIV +ve children. The Patron of the Trust is H.H. Moran Baselius Mathoma Didimos I, the Catholicos of the East. Bishop Mathew Arackal is the Chairman and Bishop Rt. Rev. Sam Mathew of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese and the Safragan Metropolitan of Marthoma Church are the other members. V. Rev. P.C. Yohanan Ramban of the Orthodox Church is the Secretary and Rev. Fr. Mathew Cheruthanicakal, Diocese of Kanjirapally is the Treasurer. The Trust has set up a fully furnished Centre at Velloor near Pampady, for rehabilitation of HIV +ve children with a capacity to care for after 30 children. Trained Religious Sisters of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, Diocese of Kanjirapally, with the permission of H.G. Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil, manage the Centre, which now accommodates 10 children. The Centre continues to receive more and more children and the ecumenical team headed by Rev. P.C. Yohanan Ramban is making every effort to provide the best care and support to the children with the active involvement of the community. The promoters have been successful in raising local contribution of Rs. 31.88 Lakhs as donation from the members of different denominations for this humanitarian project, which by far is one of the best examples of Christian ecumenism, in real action.

IV.  Joint  Ecumenical  Commission  on  Environment  and Ecology.

The Ecumenical Joint Commission on Environment and Ecology is a united movement of the Christian Churches to disseminate the message of a healthy environment for a vibrant and sustainable humanity. Bishop Mathew Arackal and Bishop Isaac Mar Philixenose of Marthomite Church are the Presidents of the Commission. Rev. Dr. K. George of the Orthodox Church is the Vice-President and Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnakada of the CSI Church is the General Secretary. The Joint Commission concentrates on building up a deeper awareness and positive attitudes among the community members, or the sacred relation of humanity and ecology.

"Green Parish" and "Green School" awards are given every year to institutions, which contribute significantly to the development of environment consciousness.

V.  Research and Study Centre on Chaldean Legacy of Mar Ephrem at Nallathanny.

Another important venture that we have planned for is an Ecumenical Centre for Research and Study on the East Syrian Chaldean legacy as expounded by Mar Ephrem. The Centre is proposed to be set up at Nallathanny, in the hill of Peermade Taluk in the Diocese of Kanjirapally. The Chaldean Church of Kerala, which like the Syro-Malabar Church, shares an identical East Syrian lineage, has come forward to participate in this project, which will foster studies and research in East Syrian history, culture, liturgy and Saints with particular focus on St. Ephrem.

Conclusion

The Syro-Malabar Synodal Commission on Ecumenism has made some important strides in its attempts to develop a spirit of true unity and mutual understanding among the major Episcopal Churches. Our thrust has been to identify mutually acceptable areas of concern and collaboration, which has a direct bearing and beneficial influence upon humanity at large. Such a co-operation for the common cause, will pave the way for deeper unity and broader understanding of faith, historical events and developments surrounding every denomination. The Commission on Ecumenism achieves its real meaning and content when we are able to integrate ourselves with this objective.

Mar Mathew Arackal      Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath        Mar Joseph Peruinthottam

Bishop of Kanjirapally      Aux. Bishop of Emakulam      Aux. Bishop of Chenganacherry