Kuriakose Elias Chavara considered the
Church as his own mother. He was aware of the fact that being truthful and
faithful to the Church was essential for salvation. Union
with Pope and obedience and acceptance of the authorities appointed by the Pope
are important in this regard. The Kerala
Church was going through
a challenging phase during that time. The ripples of Koonan
Cross oath in the middle of
seventeenth century which had divided the Church into Pazhayakuttukar (old party) Puthenkuttukar
(new party) could be felt with great intensity during the time of Chavara.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara defended the Church with valour as a faithful soldier
of the Church.
The Roccos Affair
The people of Kerala were
dejected of being under the foreign rule and there was a strong demand for a
Bishop of their own rite. Bishop
Roccos arrived in Kerala on May 9, 1861.
Even though he arrived unlawfully, the real fact was hidden from
people. He received a grand reception by Syrian Churches. Very soon majority of the Churches in
Kerala stood behind Bishop Roccos. This unlawful Bishop and his companions
caused a Schism like situation in the Kerala Church .
It is known as ‘Roccos Schism’ in the history and Kuriakose Elias Chavara had
qualified it as ‘religious rebellion’ (vedakalapam).
Roccos and his companions
travelled far and wide in Kerala with the support of Antony Thondanat and others
and enjoyed the support of majority of the Churches. To be specific 86 churches fully supported Roccos
and in 36 churches there were both groups. It was a natural response of the
people who were reeling under the yoke of unmindful latinization by the
missionaries and the Bishops and the requests for a native bishop fell in deaf
ears.
The situation was alarming. Inorder
to counter Roccos, on June 8, 1861, the Authorities of Verapoly officially
appointed Fr.Kuriakose as the Vicar General of Verapoly of all the Syrian
Catholics of Kerala. Kuriakose Elias was a champion of faith who even renounced
an offer to be made bishop by the Roccos group. On hearing about this offer, he
said, “My desire is not to be made a bishop, but to save my soul.” Fr. Chavara
sent a circular to priests and laity asking them to refrain from encouraging
the attempts of Roccos. The circular was strongly worded asking the faithful
even ‘to be prepared to die at their hands in defense of unity of the Church.’
Kuriakose Elias had written to Vatican asking
clarification for the legitimacy of Bishop Roccos arrival. The letter from the
Pope praised Chavara for his zeal and devotion and expressed great regard for
the act of approaching the Holy See in such a critical situation to discern the
truth. The letter clearly stated that Roccos came to Kerala without the knowledge of the Pope.
Being aware of the letter from
the Pope, Bishop Roccos had made up his mind to return; but his supporters opposed it especially his followers like
Avira Parayi didn't allow him to leave . On 28
December 1861, Roccos was solemnly excommunicated. With much difficulty, the
excommunication order was handed over to Roccos by Fr. Mathai Mariam Kappil, vicar
of Koonammavu monastery. He went around
Kerala without showing any sign of repentance. But a second letter from the
Patriarch reached Roccos which asked him to return back. He fell ill and was
treated in Kochi .
Roccos had a change of heart and was expressed in a letter to Vicar Apostolic.
Vicar Apostolic entrusted Kuriakose Elias with the responsibility of hearing
the confession, withdrawing excommunication on certain conditions and making
arrangements for the Roccos travel. Even though the situation was volatile, Kuriakose Elias handled it well and Roccos was sent back to Mosul in a ship
from Kochi.
From trying to bring together the
separated faction which came to existence post Coonan Cross Oath to dealing with
challenges from people like Antony Thondanatt, Antony Kudakkachira, Deneha bar
Jona, Kuriakose Elias led from the front and ensured that unity of the Church of Christ in Kerala remained intact.
More books, articles, images, videos, prayers, etc., On Saint Chavara available at :- www.chavaralibrary.in
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