By M K George
Rome, Jan 21, 2024: Wonder how many Catholics in Kerala, or for that matter, how many believers in Kerala or anywhere in the world would be delighted with the golden crown that Suresh Gopi, a film actor-turned politician donated to a church in Thrissur.
Maybe many or some.
To them I have a few questions. Not only to them really, to all believers and myself because these questions, as you will see, relate to the core of our faith and religion.
First Question
Will Mother Mary accept a golden crown? Would she, knowing what she said and did during her lifetime, appreciate it or denounce it?
A golden crown is a sign of power and glory. Not even contemporary kings or queens seem to be using them. But the argument could be that Our Lady, Mother Mary, is the Queen of Heaven and she needs to be honoured.
But does anyone hear her Magnificat, song of accepting the will of God? She said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for God has looked with favour on the lowliness of the Almighty’s servant…God has shown strength with God’s arm;…God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty…’ (Lk 1)
Would this Woman, who so daringly declared the pulling down of the powerful from their thrones and upliftment of the lowly, appreciate a golden crown on her head? That remains anyone’s guess.
Second Question
Who is the giver and what are his motives? God forgive me if I am misjudging a person. Only God can judge the inner motives of a person.
However, I remember Jesus sitting in the temple, looking at the donors of money and complementing the poor widow who put her entire saving into the temple treasury. Maybe Jesus would approve our guessing the motives of the donor of the crown. They seem to be more political and selfish than rooted in devotion or altruism.
And people are already asking, why didn’t they consider selling the crown and donating it to the women who are going hungry in Gaza? (Do I sound like Judas?)
Third question
What was the mindset of the priest and the committee members of the parish who received the crown?
They cannot be ignoramuses. They likely understand the motivation of the donor and probably foresee the impact. And why did they choose to accept this gift? Why didn’t they have the courage and courtesy to say, ‘No Thanks’?
Couldn’t they declare publically that Christians who are persecuted in the North of India are our brothers and sisters too? Couldn’t they question individuals like Suresh Gopi about their stance on the ideology that considers Christians and other minorities as second-class citizens in the country? Also, whether Manipur Christians matter to them?
The Indian Church seems to be hitting a nadir in terms of hypocrisy and double standards. Whether it is the Christmas party, or welcoming politicians of all hues, or, publicly praising them for personal gains, I am afraid, the actions of our leaders leave much to be desired. Quite often, these actions leave the flock confused and divided.
And we all should be concerned. Didn’t our Master and Lord say, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven’.( Mt 5,16).
The sins of omission weigh heavily on the Catholic Church in India, and especially in Kerala today.
Fourth Question
Do Pope Francis’ exhortations and teachings mean anything to the Kerala/Indian Christians?
Pope Francis is the only world leader who has shown the guts to call a spade a spade. Look at the way Sunday after Sunday he calls for peace and justice. Just two days ago, he appealed for peace to those at war and said, “War itself is a crime against humanity. People need peace. The world needs peace.”
Pope Francis is a person who strives to walk his talk. However, the Catholic Church in Kerala seems to be using Pope Francis like a painkiller, use it when it suits you, otherwise ignore. Can obeying Pope Francis also include following his full directives and not just those that are convenient to us?
The golden crown in Thrissur and accompanying events are once again a stark reminder to Catholics in Kerala that we may be moving farther from the message of Jesus Christ. Will we have the courage to repent and return?