The spiritual leader of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, HH Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, is in Bangalore. On his arrival from Kottayam, the headquarters of the church, on Saturday as part of a two-day visit, the eighth Catholicose of the church spoke to Sunday Times Of India about his early days and his stand on the differences within the orthodox faction.
You were an altar boy during your younger days. Did you believe that one day you would be a spiritual leader?
It was God's guidance. It was not my expectation or intention. My parents were agriculturists. They were very spiritual. The atmosphere at home encouraged me take up this divine call. Besides, there were several persons who encouraged me, all along.
Now that you are the eighth Catholicose, what plans do you have for the catholicate as it completes a century next year?
The basic principles of the church, like helping the poor and the marginalized of society, remains the same. As for the centenary, it will be planned by a committee.
Will you extend an olive branch to the Patriarch faction to end the long-standing feud?
We are always ready for reconciliation. Whatever happens has to be within the framework of the Constitution of 1934 which has been approved even by the Supreme Court. Even if the people are one, some leaders have different opinions. They want foreign domination. But we cannot accept that. We want our church to be independent.
Programmes scheduled for His Holiness include enthronement of His Grace Abraham Mar Seraphim as the Metropolitan of the recently-formed Bangalore diocese at the St Gregorios Church.
Courtesy : Times of India
You were an altar boy during your younger days. Did you believe that one day you would be a spiritual leader?
It was God's guidance. It was not my expectation or intention. My parents were agriculturists. They were very spiritual. The atmosphere at home encouraged me take up this divine call. Besides, there were several persons who encouraged me, all along.
Now that you are the eighth Catholicose, what plans do you have for the catholicate as it completes a century next year?
The basic principles of the church, like helping the poor and the marginalized of society, remains the same. As for the centenary, it will be planned by a committee.
Will you extend an olive branch to the Patriarch faction to end the long-standing feud?
We are always ready for reconciliation. Whatever happens has to be within the framework of the Constitution of 1934 which has been approved even by the Supreme Court. Even if the people are one, some leaders have different opinions. They want foreign domination. But we cannot accept that. We want our church to be independent.
Programmes scheduled for His Holiness include enthronement of His Grace Abraham Mar Seraphim as the Metropolitan of the recently-formed Bangalore diocese at the St Gregorios Church.
Courtesy : Times of India
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