Report of Bishop James Kalacherry regarding the Jacobites of Malabar and the Movement for Reunion

Changanacherry, 14 March 1928:

According to the proposal of Apostolic Delegate Mooney, Mar James Kalacherry, Bishop of Changanacherry, compiled this informative report concerning the Jacobites in Malabar. During his visit to the Apostolic See, the same Delegate personally presented it to the Congregation for the Eastern Church in April 1928 (Vatican City, Archives of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, Prot. Num. 82/28, Malabaresi: Convers. dei Giacobiti, Fasc. I; Italian translation in Malabar- Vescovi Giacobiti, Ponenza del 4 luglio 1930, Sommario VIII, pp. 31-35).

Your Excellency,

I beg to narrate here briefly some details about the Jacobites, which I gathered from conversation with a few important personages among them these days, Mar Evanius (Ivanios) in particular who paid a visit to me very secretly yesterday night.

I. Statistics: The Jacobites number about 300,000 people, with about 360 churches, 400 priests and 116 clerics, 4 little monasteries, and as many seminaries. Their bishops are 10 in all classified as follows: A. Metran party i. Mar Bailius - Catholicos ii. Mar Dionysius - Metropolitan (only little now) iii. Mar Gregorius iv. Mar Evanius - M. A. (Monk)

B. Patriarch's Party i. Mar Athanasius - Nordists ii. Mar Timotheus iii. Mar Michael Dionysius iv. Mar Diascorus - Suddhist v. Mar Ortatios - Former delegate from Syria, Antioch (Special) vi. Mar Julios - Recent delegate from Syria, Antioch.

Thus there are 8 indigenous bishops and two foreign bishops. These foreign bishops have been sent as delegates of the Patriarch. Mar Julios, the more recent delegate has been especially deputed to absolve the interdicted Dionysius in case he fulfils certain conditions dictated by the Patriarch.

II. Romeward Movement: The Metran party have certain leanings towards Rome, even since the triumph of the patriarchal party in whose favor the Travancore High Court had decided the 'Vatti-panam' case. The Bishops of the Metran party believe that subjection to some legitimate Patriarch is essential to salvation. But as they cannot side with the present (wicked) patriarch of Antioch, the only alternative left is to side with the great Patriarch of Rome, whom their ancient canons acknowledge as true and chief Patriarch of Christendom. Though Mar Ivanius seems to have conviction that Roman allegiance is necessary for salvation, he does not profess so before his brother-bishops. “Rome is the best way to salvation,” and since Antioch has at present turned senseless, “Rome hie et nunc is the only plank of salvation.” Such is the drift of thought Mar Evanius has impressed into the minds of the other bishops. Gradually he hopes to convince them that Rome is the only ark of salvation for the past, present, and future.

III. Mar Evanius (Ivanios): Has some 20 priests and 10 churches under him. These have been formed by his own efforts. He is imbuing into them the catholic spirit of celibacy and obedience. He commands respect among the Jacobite laity and clergy in general, though a good number look upon him with suspicion. Why did the monk get himself consecrated as a bishop? they ask. Is it not out of ambition? Once become a catholic, he would have no chance of becoming bishop. So he first becomes bishop and then he could remain so if he is received by Rome, such is the interpretation of his motives even by the Jacobites of his party (non-patriarchal). But this opinion may be false. God alone knows one's heart as it is. Nemo malus credendus est nisi probatus. I have no proof to show that his motives are bad. His life is pious. He keeps rigidly monastic rules. He is fully occupied in entirely religious affairs, studying, copying, practicing, and preaching Catholic religion chiefly on its ascetic side. If he became a bishop, it may be for getting more influence with the people and priests of his community, as well as with Rome itself. Rome, he might have thought in his simplicity, may more easily listen to him as a bishop than as a priest. So we may excuse the monk bishop.

IV. The question of rite: The Siro-Antiochian rite is vehemently desired by Mar Evanius and the other bishops. Why? The answer is: why not? His argument is that unless the rite is kept unchanged, only very few will be converted. This is probably true. But are you sure I asked, that a good many will follow you, if the rite is kept up? With God's grace, I hope so, he said. A rite, I observed, implies, three things, form of language, mode of dress, mode of government (Jurisdiction). Rome might grant you, I said, the first two according to Antiochian fashion, but the government of the flock may not be immediately entrusted to your own hands, as a term of probation is quiet necessary. But Mar Evanius does not agree to this. The 'Catholicos', who is a native, elected by the bishops of the metran party as almost a counter-patriarch, actually rules the bishops and priests of the above party. His authority is desired to be recognized by Rome, as also of the other bishops subject to him. The 'Catholicos' (Mar Basilios) residing only five miles away from Changanacherry is a man of good repute, though not so learned as Mar Evanius. He has power to consecrate bishops, after having elected them in a synod of the bishops of his party. He gives also laws to the whole province, provided they are approved by the synod of bishops whose ex-officio president is himself.

Such in short is the status questionis. I am convinced of their sincerity and purity of motives, as also of their moral weakness and obstinacy of not submitting to Rome unconditionally. That they do not want to submit to the catholic patriarch of Antioch was clear from Mar Evanius' conversation with me. Well, this is harmless, if not more beneficial. As to independent jurisdiction, my humble opinion (which is not mature enough) is that it may be granted with the distinct understanding that Rome will directly interfere in the choice of successors to the present bishops, and insist on clerical celibacy.

With most etc. James J. Kallacherry, Bishop of Changanacherry.