Continuing the series on the insightful Pastoral Letter by Most. Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore and President, KRCBC, he brings about further clarity on the new ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Syro-Malabar Church to the whole of the territory of India, instituted by Pope Francis in October 2017.
Life of the Church: On 9th October, 2017, the Holy Father Pope Francis has written a letter to the Catholic Bishops in India informing them of his decision to extend the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Syro-Malabar Church to the whole of the territory of India, while leaving those members of the Syro-Malabar Church who have for long been ministered to in the Latin Rite free to continue to receive the sacraments in the Latin Rite without having to obtain a NOC from the Syro-Malabar Church nor losing the membership of that Church.
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Of course, it goes without saying that the sacraments received in the Latin Rite by the members of the Syro-Malabar Church are to be recorded in the relevant registers of the Church where these sacraments are administered. The Holy Father is convinced that this measure will only further enrich the Church in India in its variety and multiplicity founded on basic core unity of faith, fervour and fellowship. Hence the Pope hopes that his decision will be received by the Church in India with joyful obedience and sincere cooperation. Here is a relevant excerpt from the Pope’s letter:
“I hope that my decision will be welcomed with a generous and peaceful spirit, although it may be a source of apprehension for some, since many Syro-Malabars, deprived of pastoral care in their own rite, are at present fully involved in the life of the Latin Church. I am convinced, however, that all those involved will understand that there is no need for concern: the Church’s life should not be disrupted by such a provision.
Indeed it must not be negatively interpreted as imposing upon the faithful a requirement to leave the communities which have welcomed them, sometimes for many generations, and to which they have contributed in various ways. It should rather be seen as an invitation as well as an opportunity for growth in faith and communion with their sui iuris Church, in order to preserve the precious heritage of their rite and to pass it on to future generations.
There is already an instruction by the Congregation for the Oriental Churches to the Eparchy of Faridabad, which indicates that a member of the Syro-Malabar faithful, by virtue of the same law, is also a member of the Syro-Malabar parish where he or she is domiciled (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, Can, 280 §1); yet at the same time, he or she can remain fully involved in the life and activities of the parish of the Latin Church.
No dispensation is required from the law currently in force for the faithful to practice their faith serenely, and they may do this with the pastoral care of either Latin or Syro-Malabar pastors (cf. Prot. No. 197/2014, 28 January 2016).
The path of the Catholic Church in India cannot be that of isolation and separation, but rather of respect and cooperation. The presence of several bishops of the various sui iuris Churches in the same territory will surely offer an eloquent witness to a vibrant and marvellous communion.
“This is the vision of the Second Vatican Council, which I quote once again: “Between all the parts of the Church there remains a bond of close communion whereby they share spiritual riches, apostolic workers and temporal resources.
“For the members of the people of God are called to share these goods in common, and of each of the Churches the words of the Apostle hold good: ‘According to the gift that each has received, administer it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God’ (1 Pet 4:10)” (Lumen Gentium, 13). It is in this spirit that I urge all the beloved Churches in India to be generous and courageous as they witness to the Gospel in the spirit of fraternity and mutual love.
“For the Syro-Malabar Church, this continues the valued work of their priests and religious in the Latin context, and sustains their availability for those Syro-Malabar faithful who, although choosing to attend Latin parishes, may request some assistance from their Church of origin.
“The Latin rite Church can continue to generously offer hospitality to members of the Syro-Malabar communities who do not have church buildings of their own. The cooperation among all the sui iuris Churches should continue, for example in the area of retreats and seminars for clergy, Bible conferences, celebrations of common feast days and ecumenical endeavours.
“With the growth of spiritual friendship and mutual assistance, any tension or apprehension should be swiftly overcome. May this extension of the pastoral area of the Syro-Malabar Church in no way be perceived as a growth in power and domination, but as a call to deeper communion, which should never be perceived as uniformity. In the words of Saint Augustine, who sang the praises of the Trinity and of the wonderful communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I also ask you: dilatentur spatial Caritatis (Sermon 69, PL 5, 440.441). May there be a growth in love, communion and service.”
To be continued…