Your Holiness,
It has been a long time since we exchanged any serious correspondence regarding the unity and re-establishment of the lost glory of the Church. I trust you recall my letters from a few years ago during your first visit to India, where I urged you to champion the cause of lasting peace.
Unfortunately, due to the poor perceptions of key stakeholders, we missed that golden opportunity for you to return as a true prince of peace. Yet, every night ends with a new dawn, and every rainy season heralds the spring. Today, we are presented with another golden opportunity to restore unity, should we act with Christ-centered resolve to become the salt of the earth.
The lamentation of the prophet that “Glory has departed from Israel” can be reversed if Your Holiness makes earnest efforts to bring about lasting peace based on unity with dignity. Let us not squander this rare opportunity granted by God through the recent intervention of the Indian Supreme Court in its judgment of December 3, 2024. The court’s verdict warns both factions to behave as true Christians, not pseudo-Christians—a profound call from judges of another faith, which only amplifies its significance, Holy Father.
- A Call to Rise and Lead
Arise and awake! This is the time for you to emerge as the true prince of peace and a towering, statesman-like spiritual leader. Be the modern Joshua, Jeremiah, or John the Baptist, proclaiming truth without fear or favor to all. - Introspection and Renewal
We must carefully introspect on our Christ-centered identities. Are we even halfway truthful to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ? Sadly, we fall short of exhibiting His qualities, even in semblance. It is imperative that we reorient ourselves, undergoing a circumcision of hearts and minds, Eucharist after Eucharist, to be renewed in His Spirit and become the true salt of the earth. - Unity Through Action
During this visit, I urge Your Holiness to meet with the Catholicos in person, if necessary through emissaries, to establish a genuine peace process founded on unity with dignity. Let there be no more public disparagement of anointed leaders in the name of faith or Christ. The time has come to end actions that contradict our witness to Christ. - A Time for Reconciliation
Time and tide wait for none. This is the moment the Lord has made for us to rejoice by becoming one in His Spirit of renewal. Let us seize this opportunity to become His true disciples, offering ourselves as acceptable sacrifices. - Practical Steps Towards Peace
The Catholicos in Kottayam recently stated his commitment to peace and unity. Why not consider the following proposal: appoint His Grace Gregorius as the Catholicos-designate of a unified Church, with His Beatitude assuming the role of the next Catholicos after the current incumbent steps down within two years? The current Catholicos could then take on the honorary title of Catholicos Emeritus. Additionally, two joint Catholicoses could be nominated to oversee regional pastoral work, with this structure ratified by the joint Malankara Association. Such measures could ensure irreversible unity.
As Scripture reminds us, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Let us heed the call of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III for unity and peace within the Malankara Church. Divisions, litigations, and schisms have drained us for too long. Canons and constitutions must align with the Gospel’s values. If we fail to advocate for peace and reconciliation, history will not forgive us. - A Shared Vision for the Future
The future beckons. Shall we falter? Let us move forward together, united in faith and committed to the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May this Advent fasting season bring renewed hope and lasting peace.
Yours in Christ,
Dr. K.M. George
Secretary General, Global Millets Foundation
President, Sustainable Development Forum
6th December 2024