Malankara Association 

Introduction    The forthcoming Malankara Association is very important because few Bishops and Vaideeka (Priest) Trustee will be elected. We should find a way to conduct a transparent and free election process with maximum participation of Association members. We are proud that our Church has the basic concept of democratic way of election.      The Malankara Association is the supreme Body / parliament of our Church. The Malankara Managing committee, Catholicos, Malankara Metropolitan, Trustees of our church and Bishops are elected by the Malankara Association Members. Only the Malankara Association Secretary is elected in Malankara Managing Committee other than Malankara Association. A required majority is needed from the laity (50% +1) for each candidate to be elected. The association Members is the decisive factor in the coming election.      The moral responsibility of the members to choose the appropriate candidate is very important, especially when our Church is facing challenges externally and internally. We need a dynamic, spiritual, assertive and confident leadership to take appropriate decisions to lead the Church to the correct Christian Orthodox path.    All the candidates would be worthy and holy men of God. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to see to it that the efforts do not go in vain and the set purpose is achieved - it is the responsibility of all of us to do what all we can to ensure a free and fair election. We must ensure that the most eligible and worthy candidates are to be selected. The selected candidates will be future leaders of the church and on their vision will depend the direction the church takes and they will play a significant part in her witness in the world.  Bishop       The title 'Bishop', in Greek' Episkopos' means 'Overseer' and was used even to designate 'elders' in a community. The Bishops should be able to strengthen the Church activities and must be able to inspire and persuade to achieve what the Church needs. The Leader should have vast knowledge in most of the areas and to have good background of model behavior. They must have full self-confidence and determination as a spiritual leader. Election Procedure      As the young generation shows renewed interest in our Church, they look into the Church from the beginning. We always tell them that we hold on to the true faith. We should keep next 30-40 years in mind when thinking of the future leaders, and how our future leaders will be able to defend the Church and help the overall growth of the Church in different areas, as well as defending her historic identity and maintaining appropriate relationship with sister Orthodox and non-Orthodox Apostolic churches. Our leaders should be able to safeguard the canonicity of the Church.. Why we elect them?     There are a number of good candidates. Each candidate should present their case why we should elect them. It should be a statement of facts, and not canvassing. Their statements should be accompanied by supporting statement from a respectable person confirming that the facts given in the statement of the candidate are true. Know the Candidates       People have their own ambitions about the strengths of our future leaders. In democracy, people decide. We should allow enough opportunity for the "calling" aspect. Candidates, who worked towards defending the Church, or offering services to the society, its historic identity and existence, its spirituality etc. withstanding all difficulties on their way, will definitely continue to contribute to the Church in the future. There is only one-way to know the result of any testing, through how persistently they continued to use their talents, their untiring hard work and dedication. Our Bishops should have a good previous history, as they are our spiritual fathers. Your Vote      You are the representative of the Parish as well as the Church. Be aware about the value of your votes. Each vote is valuable as you are the determining factor of the future of The Indian Orthodox Church. But you must have a vision for what you are going to decide. You should not cast your vote to which you are not satisfied with qualities. This is not a position to decorate somebody to please. This is the time for you to determine the future of the Indian Orthodox Church, which is the Body of Jesus Christ. You have the responsibility to keep its Holiness. So you should think at least 3 times before you cast your vote.        A detailed report of the Priest to be taken from the initial and final destination of them. Same to be taken from the Diocese area. A detailed report has to be submit to the Holy Synod from the Malankara Orthodox Church members through the Managing committee. Prayer      Bishop candidate must be a man of prayer and humble in Character. We need able bishops to lead us in the midst of our current trials and tribulations. Elect new bishops who are role models to our young Orthodox Christians. We are highly in need of Bishops who can show the World that they are leaders of Christians in India. Education        Let our newly being elected be proficient in speaking with exemplary character. Minimum Doctorate Degree, and also should have completed the seminary courses and should have G S T, BD and M.Th. Purely religious and dedicated, which can be identified through his involvement in religious activities and performance of the sacraments, also life style. Administration      We have clear runners and candidates, and then all church members have the right to know about their administrative capacities. Bishops are primarily administrators. All bishop candidates shall have proven track records as full time parish priests. A good administrative capacity in the parish work and spiritual organizations and should have held a key post at least in one of the spiritual and charitable organizations of the church or in Church educational field. They must be good at dispute resolution. Different Talents       For an active Church towards the future, we need a Holy Synod inclusive of different talents. Our people and our representatives should know that in the present circumstances the Malankara Orthodox church has many adversaries. It is not just any specific faction, but there are other denominations and sects working against the church. What adversaries want is a dull Holy Synod, towards an easy assimilation towards them. They are happy if all the members of the Orthodox Church have no knowledge about the faith and history of the Church, because then it is easy for various groups to take away our precious people and our ancient belongings. But what an Orthodox person would want is an active Holy Synod with bishops working in different areas of ministry - social services, history and identity of the Church, spiritual instructions, evangelism etc. Defenders    We need true defenders of the Malankara Church, in Orthodox faith, spirituality, her historic identity and capable of offering her services within and outside the Church. Writing Skill    We need bishops who are capable of writing something, working and instructing the people. But what is written will last for a longer period, useful also for the future generation, say 30-40 years from now and beyond. Therefore we need bishops who write and instruct about our Orthodox faith, spirituality, unique historical identity, contemporary issues affecting the Church and people, as well as bishops with real desire for encouraging Evangelism and Social works. Age      In India, people will retire at the age of 55 / 58 years. Ideally no one over the age of 60 years should stand as a candidate. Health      We definitely need some fresh blood and ideas. All candidates should be of good health. They should be prepared to undergo a medical examination to satisfy their fitness to work as a metropolitan. Finance      All candidates should declare their financial assets, and surrender it to the church. All their future earnings should go to the church. In turn, the church should take the full responsibility to provide all what the new metropolitan requires to carry out his work. The future bishops must visit and nourish the spiritual need of each individual parish under their watch without any remuneration and do this as part of their obligation and duty. It is highly appreciable if they can donate all their properties to the Church and live, as he is the head of the church. Late Mar Dioscorus was a good example of that. If anybody wants to keep his blood relationship kindly be away from this part. Bishops should not live in their family houses and should not use their fund to support their family members. Self Declaration      Publish their intention to contest, the reason for contesting, and their vision for the church. Publish their eligibility, secular education and spiritual upbringing. Publicly declare their worldly financial interest, institutions, etc and forfeit all their worldly possessions to the church. Sign an agreement that they will always subordinate to the Catholicos and obey his orders in letter and spirit; they will not join any other churches, or start any other factions. Voluntarily retire after a good old age, say 75; in return the church should take care of their needs. Vision       The metropolitans should follow the teachings and traditions of our church, and treat all members equally. What is their vision as a Bishop and what he will do to accomplish the extension of Heavenly Kingdom on earth and what are the sacrifices he is willing to do as a Bishop? We need spiritual leaders to lead our Church. We have to select the persons who are ready to leave all their physical relationship and ready to lead the life as the father of all the Indian Orthodox members.   Time     How long is the Association meeting- 2.00 PM to- 5.00PM?  Malankara Association is the decision making body for the Malankara church. It's equivalent on a parish level is the parish general body. Typically, in many parishes a parish general body meeting will stay longer than, three hours. We run our association meeting right to the agenda. There are so many candidates and they are trying to convince the people their ability to lead this Church. Bishops shall be elected by popular vote instead of this representative system. This two-hour meeting is just a show of hands not serious meeting with any live discussions. If we limit it to representative votes alone, then vested interest groups will influence association representatives of parish churches. These representatives may not be expressing the will of the parish but that of the self. Conclusion        When you are ready to cast your vote kindly remember that the vote for a person to qualify win is the 50% +1 of the total-attending members of the Association. So your one Vote is a determining factor for this selection. Kindly pray to God to give you the correct direction to cast your vote Even though the process is a democratic model, we can safely say that if we can do our bit sincerely to ensure a fair - free election there - God's voice will be heard and the outcome would be God's will. Hope Association members will cast their votes to elect visionary spiritual leaders after detailed study. Please note that you are deciding the future of the Church.   Please send more details and photographs the candidates, please Email to Us fr@indianchristianity.org Or send to Fr.Johnson Punchakonam, S N Nagar, Mannamthala Post, Trivandrum- 695 015 Ph: +91-471-3091000 Mobile: 9447151515   News..........News............Flash News......... Indian Orthodox Global Radio Deepam News On Association   Association News Makes Heat waves   Malankara Association: Fr. Dr. M. O. John "Metran  Election ”   Fr. Punchakonam     "Panel takes away the rights of the Association Members”   Fr. Punchakonam   "Current election system insufficient" Fr. T. G. John, Thengumtharayil   Candidates to forfeit All Their Worldly Possessions :Abraham Chirackal   Women need to be defended : Fr. Philip Kuruvilla, NCCI