Many Foundation Stones & confused Aspirations!

----- Original Message -----
From: S.B.
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 8:59 AM
Subject: Mar Thoma camp Centre at Lonavala


Dear friends

Mar Thoma camp Centre at Lonavala was a dream project of the young generation of Mumbai Diocese. Now the drem is going to be fulfilled on 27th may 2007. As per the direction of the Metropolitan, Marthoma Yuvajana Sakhyam and Mar Thoma Sunday School and Mumbai Diocese has taken it as a joint venture to build the camp centre.

The ground breaking ceremony of the camp centre will be conducted on 27th May 2007 at 4pm. All are cordially invited to come and bless this solemn occasion

Thanks & Regards,

S.B


----- Reply Message -----

From: T. S.
Date: Fri, 25 May 2007
Subject: Re: Mar Thoma camp Centre at Lonavala


Dear S.,

That is "great" news!
The third foundation stone laying ceremony of the same camp Centre!

1st Foundation Stone: For Youth Centre on 16.101993
by Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius.

2nd Foundation Stone:
For Sunday School Camp Centre on the same plot in March 2004 by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metroplitan (He was not informed of the First Stone).

3rd Foundation Stone? 27.05.2007
For "knowbody knows what it is" structure by Rt. Rev. Mar Barnabas on the same plot! Or is it without any stone, a castle in the air?

Qualifies for Limca / Guinnes Books of Records
Youth League members are told it is their project. Sunday School Central Committee is told that it is their project. Gulf / US NRIs will be told that it is their Holiday Home / Resort. They can pay US$ 10,000 and get 7 days TIME SHARE every year for "their own cottage"!

Caution:
On a legal opinion taken by the Mar Thoma Metropolitan says that the land is bought for Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam for a Camp Centre / Youth Centre by money raised by Yuvajana Sakhyam members.

After, construction the property will remain with Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam. Anybody who "invests" in this project may kindly note this.

And the money collected will go to a registered charitable Trust by name: Western India Zonal Assembly of the Mar Thoma Church who are the trustees of the Youth Centre land.

'Assurances' are given by another body, Mar Thoma Diocesan Assembly of Mumbai Diocese which has no legal sanction to meddle with the Zonal Assembly. This is not even a registered body.

Regards
T. S.

Ragging at Marthoma Vaideeka Seminary-Kottayam

The biggest secret which every one knows and does not want to publicly speak about is the ragging incident at the Kottayam Mar Thoma Seminary.


The story supposedly is:
A student of the seminary was ragged by fellow seminarians. He complained to the Metropolitan and left the seminary. This action was followed by an inquiry by the Church Authorities and the Metropolitan. When the seminarians were asked to confess who was the culprits they chose to stick together as a band of brothers. They were under the impression the entire batch cannot be punished and would be let off lightly if they all admitted guilt together.

But knowing our Metropolitan, he decided to suspend all ordinations for this year indefinitely, till some one came forward and took the blame. The waiting game is started. June is the month when most ordinations take place and none has happened this year.

There was a defense from the seminary that:
"The event was purely designed to familiarize the new student to his new setting and to help him to overcome the fear of public speaking. The person probably realized the enormity of his undertaking when faced with the spartan living conditions at the seminary and was looking for the first exit out."

Why blame the student who left? At times we should remember this is not an ordinary college and most people at the seminary are graduates and are there to be the next ordained ministers of the Church. I guess they should learn to accept responsibility and tell the truth before any of them are made priests!

Well that is only my opinion. Forgiveness is part of our Christian tradition but it comes after a confession of guilt which right now - no one wants to do.

Let us uphold the ministry of the Church in prayer and hope this incident comes to a quick close. Let us also remember those who are studying to become priests - may they remember that they are being trained to be leaders of our church and to provide guidance to lay people.

If the Lamps themselves are not lighted then how will the Church carry out the motto - Lighted to Lighten?


If you know more details on the incident or disagree with the above article - please comment! Thanks!