Norms for Election of Malankara Associatio
Day by day the competitions for getting elected for Malankara Association,Diocesan Assembly........ are increasing, for which Money power,Muscle power,Influences of High command are used.Though our elections are democratic, It is my humble request that:-
1) Those who got elected once may pave way for others to show their talents.
2) Those who wish to get elected should have
a) atleast attended Sunday School classes and have passed minimum Tenth class.
b) some Bible knowledge,Church History and have passed atleast diploma course in Divyabodanam (courses conducted in Malayalam and English medium).
c) be of good reputation in their respective parish,accepted by all,in all forms associated with the parish affairs.
Comments on these proposals are welcomed.
Fr.Varghese Yohannan Vattaparampil
Borivali Parish
Bombay Diocese.
23 comments:
Dear Achen,
Please make it clear what change you wish to bring by proposing these norms. Let us know what you aim, then we can post comments.
Mathew Chacko
Kuzhippally, Thalavady
Dear Achen,
I am 100% support your suggestion, Achen, some candidate don't know they are standing for election in which post, don't know what is Malankara Association . This type of people elected for Malankara Association what future for our MALANKARA SABHA.....
THOMAS GEORGE
I am supporting 100% your suggestions, people standing for Election, they don't know what is MALANKARA ASSOCIATION... this type of people elected for this year... don't know what is the future for our MALANKARA SABHA...... . Next time please put a some norms for this type of Election,
Well said, I am living in Delhi for the last 20 Years from now. At present, I am holding the secretary post of Janakpuri Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Delhi. At the age of 13 in 1982, I become the OCYM Unit secretary of my home parish in Kerala and an active participant in all the OCYM programs in Kollam diocese until 1991. Then I moved to Delhi for the search of a Job. My carrier in Delhi grows up with the Church and its spiritual activities from the very first day itself. By the grace of God, I am elected as the OCYM Diocesan Secretary in 2006. Still, I am scared to hold any post in Church by the fear of God.
But today, some of our Church peoples act is very hard to see. They are not only talking about how to become a Malankara association or Diocesan assembly member but also planning, how to get a seat in Sabha Managing committee. These malpractices should be stopped at least form next term itself. My suggestion is, fix the minimum criteria /qualification for the Malankara association or Diocesan assembly member is 12th passed certificate in Sunday school and Divyabodanam Diploma certificate for the Managing Committee. I humbly request to our spiritual leaders and like minded people in our church, kindly put forward this initiative and Pray to God for his blessings.
JIJI K NINAN, Delhi.
Well said, I am living in Delhi for the last 20 Years from now. At present, I am holding the secretary post of Janakpuri Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Delhi. At the age of 13 in 1982, I become the OCYM Unit secretary of my home parish in Kerala and an active participant in all the OCYM programs in Kollam diocese until 1991. Then I moved to Delhi for the search of a Job. My carrier in Delhi grows up with the Church and its spiritual activities from the very first day itself. By the grace of God, I am elected as the OCYM Diocesan Secretary in 2006. Still, I am scared to hold any post in Church by the fear of God.
But today, some of our Church peoples act is very hard to see. They are not only talking about how to become a Malankara association or Diocesan assembly member but also planning, how to get a seat in Sabha Managing committee. These malpractices should be stopped at least form next term itself. My suggestion is, fix the minimum criteria /qualification for the Malankara association or Diocesan assembly member is 12th passed certificate in Sunday school and Divyabodanam Diploma certificate for the Managing Committee. I humbly request to our spiritual leaders and like minded people in our church, kindly put forward this initiative and Pray to God for his blessings.
Well said, I am living in Delhi for the last 20 Years from now. At present, I am holding the secretary post of Janakpuri Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Delhi. At the age of 13 in 1982, I become the OCYM Unit secretary of my home parish in Kerala and an active participant in all the OCYM programs in Kollam diocese until 1991. Then I moved to Delhi for the search of a Job. My carrier in Delhi grows up with the Church and its spiritual activities from the very first day itself. By the grace of God, I am elected as the OCYM Diocesan Secretary in 2006. Still, I am scared to hold any post in Church by the fear of God.
But today, some of our Church peoples act is very hard to see. They are not only talking about how to become a Malankara association or Diocesan assembly member but also planning, how to get a seat in Sabha Managing committee. These malpractices should be stopped at least form next term itself. My suggestion is, fix the minimum criteria /qualification for the Malankara association or Diocesan assembly member is 12th passed certificate in Sunday school and Divyabodanam Diploma certificate for the Managing Committee. I humbly request to our spiritual leaders and like minded people in our church, kindly put forward this initiative and Pray to God for his blessings.
JIJI K NINAN, Delhi.
Dear Mr Mathew
If you read closely this achen is saying that whoever competes for these positions should have a basic knowledge about our church ,its history and its sacraments .Its not for anybody who wants to play third grade politics or who wants to play gundayism .Since no body can impose spiritual descipline or setting up norms for these as a priest he is giving some guide lines that makes real sense
Regards
Shaji Varghese
New Jersey
I Do agree with Achen's request........
I Do agree with Achen's request........
I Do agree with Achen's request........
Dear Mathew
The matter is very clear.There is no spl aim.Only point is one should know the bible,attended sunday schools, know about the church and backgrounds.There shouldn't be any show off of money.It may come and go.
Dear All
It is the Parsihes which nominate their representatives in MSCA!
from there we elect the committee members or Office beareres to the association Which The Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan is the Presiding Heirarchy!
What level respected Achen would like to change norms must be clearely stated/mentioned with relevant objects!
By saying that I am a member of the MOSC Malankara Association or Managing Committee,Standing committee,Diocesan council,advisors ..... one should have a basic knoweldge of the bible,he/she should have attended the sunday school classes,actively participated in the spiritual organizations atleast at the parish level,should have a basic knowledge of the church,its history,its growth & present state of affairs.Also concern (sharing & caring) for the brethren instead of being selfish.Off course the Church needs money for running its day to day affairs.MOSC is the church of all and not of Juba-Thodalmala achayans (Puthu panakaran)or business men or contractors only.Maybe they will be on top priority for some.
...it is better to conduct an eligibility test prior to standing for election to Malankara Association or other posts. This can be similar to CET, asking questions from the subject Vattapparambil Achen suggests. Answers should be validated via computer, otherwise chances for malpractices arises. This should be the first step and in the next stage, to be elected to these organisations, church members with PHD should be considered because in the Malankara Association individual members have to present research papers and to take classes for the betterment of the church!
When Didymos Bava took over the charge as Catholicos in 2005 a Kalpana was issued in 2006 (probably in Feb or March 2006 before the elections in parishes) stating some qualifications for the elected ones.It is almost the same norms I have mentioned here to remind the faithful of the MOSC with respect to elections from parishes for the post of office bearer,a committee member,a representative for Diocesan Assembly/Malankara Associatiom and any other post in the MOSC.For everything there should be some principle and discipline.
Dear Respected Achen
I do respect your valuable suggestions!But unfortunately The circumstances or the present atmosphere/aura are very different in our church or community!
Our community does not value principles or basic christian teachings! In My Parish church,the members come to participate holy Qurbana during the time of Busmelko ,especially the youth and the secretary of Parish! The Parish vicar does not have any problem! He gladly serve them the Eucharist without "Hoosoyo"together with other members who comes early worship service and receive 'hoosoyo' prior to Holy Qurbana! from this parish,another wealthy person and Popular in Local politics who is also a member of Diocesean council as well as Managing Committe memberof MOSC who is a habitual late comer on sunday Worship services.This Guy is also close ally of the Diocesean Bishop!
Where are we? and what are we?How are we?
Wish you all support and prayers!
Dear Achen
It was very nice to see some suggestions for reformation. It is a shame for all of us to see figures on the top positions of our church when they do not deserve to be there. Your suggestions are greatly appreciable. But I like to differ from a few of them.
1. One person- one time is a good policy to avoid power corruption, but we need experienced leaders at times. Knowledge that comes up only from experience is irreplaceable. If you look at political and social arena the great stalwarts became that, with long experience only. We have right example of kerala and central government who brought new faces that turned into colossal failures. The ultimate aim of sabha elections is not to give chances to unravel the talents of individuals every five years but to find capable individuals who can lead the sabha to face the challenges.
However if the existing person is not functioning well he should be defeated in the election so that we may get experienced but the deserving ones. If fresh faces are on the contest, make them win if they are sure to outshine the sitting ones.
2. Sunday school attendance criterion is commendable but a person’s Sunday school non- attendance cannot be attributed as his fault; it is the fault of his parents and/or other social factors. How can one person be penalised for something he is not directly responsible during his underage years?
3. The divyabodham course is a good criterion. It should be made compulsory.
4. Good reputation is hard to prove/verify, no one is appreciated by everybody in a parish. This will lead to a situation where priests’ kaimani’ going to the election. But involvement in church activities should be a must.
Nizhal
Everything can be possible if the faithful stand together and raises a single voice,instead of acting double roles.
What is the role of the MA members? My experience in the last 5 years was only to attend the meeting and the action part was ONLY VOTING. There is no open forum or discussions wherein individuals' skills are tested or utilised. Hence, just for voting, I do not think that we impose such restrictions.
Dear All,
Suggestions are good..However people who left Kerala in search of a job in their early age may not get an opportunity to study/pass 10th std. of Sunday school/Divyabothanam course. But they work hard outside Kerala to develop churches/ schools for the Orthodox community within their financial as well as spiritual limitations. These peoples are the real pillars of orthodox community
outside Kerala. So I disagree with norms in your suggestion.
P.DANIEL VARGHESE-BARODA.
Where there is a will there is a way.There are many seniors both male & female in our Bombay Diocese who have passed the sunday school classes &divyabodhanam, who are very active in church activities other than elections.
Yes I also support the suggestion of Achen. It whould be strictly followed that one person shall get only one chance to be in the post. He should be allowed to give nomination for the second time. Now this konat achen is doing the same thing. he is telling if he is not elected for the second time tomorrow the whole orthodox church will be swallowed by Puthen kurish soceity. These type of campaigning should be stopped and all the priests should get a chance. Priest should be recommended by the corresponding Diocese Bishop. Then it will be more well and good.
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