THRISSUR: Leaders, irrespective of the group they belong to, seldom open up their mind to the general public. What they speak out in the public is for public consumption and their real views on the subject are kept in the bottom of their hearts. But what Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, the Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church, told Fr Paul Thelakat in an interview for his soon to be published book on the pontiff - ‘Straight From the Heart’ - is indeed from the bottom of his heart. The revelations are beyond the comprehension of most who had read his public statements and listened to his public talks.
Excerpts from the interview with comments in the form of a front-page article by P T Kuriakose published in the March 1-15 issue of Sathyadeepam, the mouthpiece of Syro-Malabar Church, are ‘revealing’ on many issues.
Contrary to the general belief of the people of the state that the Church and obviously its head and the Marxists are arch-rivals, the pontif f says, “ The Marxists and we are brothers, but when the brothers fight, you have the fiercest fight. Co-operating with Communists does not mean I have accepted the principles of Marxism”. Can’t one interpret what is implicit in the statement that ‘brothers are of the same blood and could reach a compromise to meet a common challenge?’, the pontiff enquires.
In the interview, the Major Archbishop reveals his appreciation for the Marxist approach to the problems of the poor and the sufferings so much that he acknowledges that several Marxist Party leaders have tried to portray him as a sympathiser of the party. He, however, clarifies that the Marxist leaders portrayed him as a sympathiser of the party in order to create a divide between him and other bishops.
Though the Church considers both the Marxist and the BJP as being hostile to it, the pont iff sees some positive elements in the approach of the BJP to matters like Indian culture, religious values and respect for women.
In matters directly relevant to the Church, he has strong views.
He is extremely critical of Rome’s decision not to allow the Syro-Malabar Church to extend its domain beyond the borders of Kerala.
Also he is in total disagreement with the tendency of the Roman Curia to impose its decisions on bishops, often taken without adequate consultation, although he meekly accepted them.
The Major Archbishop says “I better not say more on this subject in public because it has agonised me many times, not only me but also many of our other bishops. I know the feelings of my fellow bishops. We are all going through a sort of crucifying obedience.” His vow of obedience had restrained him from reacting to the decisions of the Rome on certain social issues. For instance, he does not think that the Pope or the Church has the right to decide on the number of children a couple should have.
The article states that the Cardinal is very proud of the historic contribution of the Catholic Church to the educational progress in Kerala over the past several decades. Yet he is not happy with the goings on in many Church-run institutions.
Also he is not very enthusiastic about the involvement of the Church in the so-called self-financing professional colleges.
