When you build a house, you will try to do it in the best possible way. Right? You will try to use the best of materials and designs and make it as chic as possible. Why don't you then build the best for Jesus?
It's a magnificent church, an imposing and sublime architectural wonder. The awe-inspiring place of worship is also a subject matter of a raging controversy.
Yes, we're talking about the new church built at Edappally, Kochi, India. Estimated to have cost around Rs 30 crore (US dollar 46,87,000), it took nearly 15 years to complete the construction of the church, which incidentally is in the name of St George, a 3rd century Christian martyr. For the uninitiated populace, there're more outsiders, that too from all the religions, than insiders or parish members, coming here to pray for their special needs every day. More than that, church is a place where you can experience the tangible presence of God.
Sadly, the new church is in the firing line of a section of people within the Roman Catholic Church who made a public display of their opposition to the construction of this beautiful church. I can only say that this diatribe against the construction of a church is abominable and deplorable. This particular church is one of the most popular in Kerala and hundreds of faithful come there daily.
I happened to read a letter sent by a person to Cardinal George Alencherry, which said, “this (church) represents a low point in the annals of the church... It's obvious that the Syro-Malabar church is trying to impress on everyone, Rome not excluded, that it's the most powerful, wealthy and influential church in Kerala.” I read another Facebook message which comments about bishops and priests in the most inappropriate and undesirable manner. "Priests and bishops are in race for power, race to show strength....," this FB post said. Such letters and messages show the moral and spiritual turpitude of people. Sir, it’s a place to worship our Almighty God. You want the church to be in a dilapidated condition?
Most of the people who sang Hosannas against the church construction are living in palatial houses worth crores of rupees. They have no qualms about spending huge amounts on such ”palaces” where not more than two or three people live. Do we really need huge palatial houses for us in Kerala? Take a tour from North to South Kerala. You can see thousands of such villas dotting the Kerala landscape. This really is a vulgar display of wealth and power. Instead of going around criticizing and castigating church and its authorities, try to come closer to God. We are playing into the hands of devil with such fib in the name of a church. I believe this particular church is for the posterity, for the next 10 or 15 generations.
If you scan the social media and newspapers from the region, you will see hundreds of messages, mails and reports castigating the church authorities for constructing this beautiful church in Edappally. Instead of trying to run down the church, we must follow the Bible, and never stoop down to the lowest level by hurling scorn and contempt at church officials, including the head of Syro-Malabar Catholic church Cardinal Alencherry who consecrated the church recently.
Close to 75 per cent of Christains in Kerala belong to the middle class segment. They are wealthy, as mostly work outside the state or in Middle East, the US, Europe and Australia. They own tony villas and plots across the state, but it's another matter that most of these villas are either locked or their old parents live in loneliness. A villa costs not less than Rs one crore (US dollar 156,250) in the state. Some of these are palatial bungalows with half-a-dozen bedrooms and match with villas in any European country or the US for sheer opulence and grandeur. If some people have a problem with this "opulent" church, they should think about their own palatial houses instead of complaining in Facebook and Twitter that church authorities should build more orphanages and old age homes.
Studies reveal that Kerala tops in per head liquor consumption in India with 8.3 litres per person. Liquor sales shoot up on important Christian days like Christmas and Easter. People in Kerala set a record in alcohol consumption. Why is it so? Why can't they (people against building church) try to stop this alcoholism and give away that money to old age and children homes?
Though I don't live in Kerala, I know one thing. Syro-Malabar church runs 211 old age homes, 185 children homes, 230 orphanages and 54 specialised healthcare and leprosy care centres in Kerala. Besides, there're hundreds of hospitals and other institutions. We need more such institutions to take care of poor people.
That said, I'm not advocating that all churches in Kerala should be like Edappilly. Use wisdom and intelligence. Spend money wisely on such things without getting into a competition with each other. But lets give the best to Jesus. Like Abel did. We shouldn't end up like a Cain.
