By Varghese Alengaden
Indore: Celebrations of birthdays of persons, foundation days of institutions and jubilees of different types have become common in our society. Much money, time and energy are wasted for exhibiting pomp and show by persons and institutions. Often people count the years of mere existence instead of reflecting on the productivity of the years. Instead of counting the years people should count the milestones they created and the lasting fruit they produced.
I am delighted to know that ‘Matters India’ has completed eight years of its unique mission and entered into the ninth year on March 19, 2021. As the arrival of Pope Francis on March 13, 2013, brought revolutionary changes within the Catholic Church and great positive vibrations in millions all over the world, the birth of ‘Matters India’ created a platform for free expression to writers and thinkers.
Congratulations to the dedicated team of Matters India on their prophetic mission of providing genuine and impartial news and views about numerous issues related to the Church, religious and sociopolitical life in the country and world around. While several Catholic publications suffer from control and censorship by the hierarchy and religious superiors ‘Matters India’ is free to practice fearless journalism.
The team’s long years of experience of working for other publications provides a professional touch to ‘Matters India.’ True to its name what matters today is ‘Matters India.’
Apart from thought provoking articles on sociopolitical and religious issues, ‘Matters India’ regularly publishes about the trend setting experiments by religious and lay people of all faiths.
I had the opportunity to see the spark of creativity and journalism in Jose Kavi, the Matters India editor, 50 years ago when we were studying in St. Joseph Mission Home, Palai, Kerala. He led the team that published a handwritten monthly titled,’ Preshithan’ (The Messenger).
It is providence and plan of God that ‘Matters India’ started publication just after six days of the election of Pope Francis, who now gives hope to millions both within the Church and the world over by his prophetic words and deeds.
On the ninth birthday of ‘Matters India’ I wish all the best to the entire team courage, wisdom and indomitable spirit to stand out to proclaim truth without being succumbed to pressure and fear.
When both the country and the Church are going through turbulent times it is important to have publications and writers who would stand out to protect justice, freedom, dignity and fraternity of all people fearlessly.
It would be worth to compare what ‘Matters India’ has accomplished in eight years with what the Catholic Church in India with its 160,000 consecrated persons, wealth and infrastructure could do over the years.
Indeed, what matters today is ‘Matters India.’ Congratulations and best wishes.
(Father Varghese Alengaden is the founder director of the Indore-based Universal Solidarity Movement of Value Education for Peace.)
Dear Jose,
Congratulations on completing 8 years of prophetic n constructive journalism. Certainly you are fearless and forthright in taking up some of the burning issues of our time.
Matters India is a wake up call to the Christian community in India. You have created a platform to voice our free expressions on relevant matters as being prompted by the spirit, n in our prophetic n evangelical viewpoints.
May God bless u in your innovative n investigative journalism. Even though Church in India has 1,60,000 religious n several well established infra structures your efforts through MI has far reaching effects in the lives of our communities.
May God always bless u n protect u from any harm. We need u who allow others to come up to give their voices to many concerns that challenges the Church today.
Dear Jose
Let me convey my heartfelt congratulations to you on MI’s completion of 8 years. The prophetic mission that you have taken up through Matters India is indeed quite challenging.
May God give you and your team the wisdom, strength and courage to take this mission forward! I assure you of my prayerful support.
Congratulations dear Kavi and your team for having made a valuable contribution to the church country and the world by you very enlightening and thought provoking articles and news.
A very happy 8th anniversary of Matter India.
Congratulations to Mattersindia and its team on completion of eight years of rejuvenated journalism. I think it is the only Catholic Journal which allows two-way communication.
My association with Jose Kavi goes back over 30 years. But I think that the portal is more than 8 years old.
There is no doubt that MI is professional, impartial and independent in its approach. As the Blitz claimed years ago FREE FRANK FEARLESS.
There are very few journals that report like this on church affairs because most are either owned or controlled by the bishops and probably funded by them as well. They will voiciferously attack the government but remain silent when similar situations arise in the church. GOD BLESS.
Wishing matters India a very happy birthday. I have been reading matters India for the last two years, and found the reading interesting. Yet it has a long way to go. It must appreciate the good governance of government and coax it to make education and food program their priority
Several institutions catering to society welfare must be highlighted and their work be brought to public domain.
I congratulate the editorial team for giving us the content which I enjoy and making me aware of happenings around. God bless🙏 you.
Dear Kavi
Peace.
Congratulations. MI is 8 years old. I congratulate you for your dedication and commitment in the service of the Church. You serve the Church in India in our troubled times with a deep sense of commitment.
Grateful, to you dear brother, as you support the ministry of Christian-Muslim relations.
Victor Edwin SJ