By C.M. Paul
Chicago, 17 July 2026: The McCormick Convention Centre in Ohio echoed with hymns in Syriac, Malayalam and English as thousands of Syro‑Malabar Catholics gathered for the Silver Jubilee Convention of the Eparchy of Chicago, July 9-12.
It was a celebration of faith transplanted from Kerala that has now taken root in American soil.
Among the voices that resonated most was that of Bishop Earl Fernandes of Columbus in Ohio, who offered an outsider’s perspective on the journey of this Syrian Catholic community.
“We came as migrants from Kerala, but now we are missionaries. Our roots are here, and our faith is alive. The Syro‑Malabar Church is no longer just transplanted; it is rooted in American soil,” he reminded, drawing applause from clergy and laity alike.
From migrants to missionaries
Indian-born Bishop Fernandes reminded the faithful that the Syro‑Malabar Church’s mission in America must go beyond preserving ethnic identity.
“The Church cannot remain an enclave. It must be a leaven in American society, contributing its rich traditions and spirituality to the wider Catholic community,” he said.
His words challenged the diaspora to embrace a missionary identity, not just a nostalgic one.
Generational tensions
The bishop did not shy away from naming tensions.
“Our young people, born here, want worship in English. Their parents cling to Malayalam. If we do not bridge this gap, we risk losing a generation,” he warned.
His remarks echoed the sentiments of 17‑year‑old Annie Joseph of Houston, who said: “I love the Qurbana [Mass], but I want to understand it fully. English helps me pray with my heart.”
Parents, however, voiced their own concerns.
Thomas Varghese of New Jersey insisted: “Malayalam is our heritage. If we abandon it, we lose our roots.” The convention became a forum where both generations wrestled with identity, language, and belonging.
Liturgical debates
Bishop Fernandes also acknowledged that liturgical disputes in America mirror those in Kerala.
“Unity must be our witness. Division weakens us,” he cautioned.
Priests at the convention admitted that debates over posture, language, and ritual sometimes overshadow pastoral priorities.
Yet many agreed with the bishop’s call for dialogue and reconciliation.
Youth and family engagement
The convention showcased vibrant youth choirs, catechism classes, and leadership workshops.
Sister Maria, a catechist from Chicago, noted: “Our children are learning to be both American and Syro‑Malabar. They sing in English, but they also learn the Syriac prayers of our ancestors.”
Families expressed gratitude for the Church’s role in sustaining community life. Joseph and Mercy Mathew of Dallas said: “This Church keeps our children connected to faith. Without it, assimilation would have swallowed us.”
Church rooted in America
The Jubilee Convention was not only a celebration of past achievements but a vision for the future.
With nearly 90 parishes and missions across the U.S., the Syro‑Malabar Church has become a rooted presence. Its outreach programs serve both its own faithful and the wider Catholic community.
Bishop Fernandes’ words captured the moment: transplanted from Kerala, the Syro‑Malabar Church has grown into a rooted, missionary presence in America.
The challenge ahead, he said, is to remain faithful to tradition while embracing the realities of a new generation.
As one Chicago youth summed it up: “We are Syro‑Malabar, we are American, and we are Catholic. That’s our identity, and that’s our mission.”
(Photo supplied by author)