The Syro-Malabar believers who migrated to the Gulf countries did not have any conditions to follow the Marthoma Nasrani heritage, worship practices and religious practices in the early days. We know that the scope of authority of the Syro-Malabar Church was very limited then. In that situation there was no other option but to forget the mother church over time by joining any other available sect. Syriac Catholics who immigrated to America and Europe more than four decades ago have lost their identity and have become part of sister churches.
The Syro-Malabar Cultural Association helped to organize, unite and nurture the Syrian Catholics of the Gulf countries in their tradition. In 1995, SMCA was formed for the first time in Kuwait for lay people. But thus starting a revolutionary organization met with the displeasure of the local church authorities and they were using all strategies to destroy this organization. Thus the Syro-Malabar Almayya organization, which was going through infancy, got its breath of life when Abhiwandya Mar Joseph Pouvatil’s father’s visit to Kuwait in 1997. The church authorities in Kuwait at that time tried to prevent his father’s visit, but he was able to overcome those obstacles and give them more energy and enthusiasm due to his cheerfulness and his love for the Ajaganas.
The visit was a historic event that filled the hearts of Christians in Kuwait with strong conviction. When he visited Abbasia and other Malayali diaspora centers, women and children were waiting on the roadside to see that great warrior…Through small words, the father exhorted them regarding the unique position of the individual congregation of Syro Malabar in the global Catholic Church, how valuable the global church sees it, and the dangers that may arise if the next generation does not grow up with a sense of identity.
It was a great step in the history of the Syro-Malabar Church itself that the Father’s visit was not very acceptable to the Vicar Apostolica at that time, but he did not provoke it directly and provided an opportunity for a meeting, even if it was for a limited time. It was the first discussion at the level of Church Fathers regarding the pastoral needs of the Syro-Malabar children.
This visit and encouragement from his father later inspired the establishment of strong Syro-Malabar Cultural Associations in all the Gulf countries. Subsequently, Father Abhiwandya visited Qatar and called on the Syro-Malabar believers there to strive to preserve their identity. Then Dubai Sec. His father visited Mary’s and Abu Dhabi. Every journey of Father Abhiwandya reminded the Syro-Malabar believers of their respective places regarding their heritage and tradition and inspired them to think and live with the Church.
Today in all countries of the Gulf countries the Syro-Malabar believers have V in their liturgy. There is no doubt that the father’s visits, discussions and prayers have played a big role behind it if there was freedom and conditions to offer mass and perform the sacraments.
Join our WhatsApp group to know the truth behind the news ???? and quickly ⌚ ????
https://chat.whatsapp.com/DKuga0J6tbBKmzd9l3ZZ8v
