The long weekend studded with big and small programs offered a gala time for the Mar Thoma diaspora in Kuwait . Adding glitz and glamour
to the numerous events at different locations in the country, the supreme head of the church Dr Joseph Mar Thoma, the head of Delhi Diocese Dr Abraham Mar Paulos, and the three newly consecrated bishops of the church were flown in. The programs were organized jointly by the five Mar Thoma parishes in Kuwait . “This is the first time ever that five bishops of the church together participating in a program outside India ”, said John Thampan, the coordinator of the 125-member organizing committee.
At a press meet in Farwaniya last Thursday, the supreme head of Mar
Thoma Church Dr Joseph Mar Thoma mentioned that the Marthoma community in Kuwait was on the path or growth, adding that the five parishes will function as a Kuwait Center and jointly organize programs in future.
He reiterated that the structure of Mar Thoma church is based on democratic norms as well as on the supremacy of the Episcopal Synod. “Establishing new parishes, dividing or even abolishing an existing parish is within the absolute prerogative of the Synod”, he explained, adding that it was not necessary that such decisions to be supported by a resolution of the individual parish. “Article 57 of the Sabha constitution is amply clear on this, and nobody will be allowed to undermine the basic structure of the constitution”, he emphasized.
The key event tagged as Mar Thoma Sabha Kuwait Pravasi Sangamam at Ramada Hotel, Riggai, on Friday, was truly a show of strength and unity of the Marthomites in Kuwait . The main Al-Istiqlal ballroom of the hotel and its peripheries were packed with loyal members of the church, who maintained commendable order and discipline all through the four-hour proceedings. The distinguished guests were accorded a colorful reception at the hotel entrance by members of the church choir, women clad in typical Kerala attire, and also hundreds of children waving the national flags of India and Kuwait and also the flag of Mar Thoma church. The new bishops,
Dr Mathews Mar Makarios, Gregorios Mar Stephanos, Dr Thomas Mar Theethos were felicitated during the program. Rev Amanuel Gharib, chairman of the National Evangelical Council in Kuwait (NECK), Prof P J Kurian, member of the Indian Parliament and former Union Minister, were present. The metropolitan was presented the Light of the Diaspora award for his leadership role in various spheres of the society. Rev Chacko Thomas, Rev Genil Abraham, Rev Thomas Koshy, Messrs Laloo Thomas, Rajan Daniel, Joy John, Aby Varicad also spoke on the occasion. Dr Joseph Mar Thoma inaugurated the year-long activities in connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Mar Thoma congregation in Kuwait . “It was in May 1963 that the Mar Thoma worship services were officially started in Kuwait and we are entering the 50th year shortly”, explained Laloo Thomas, General Convenor.
In his speech, the Metropolitan exhorted that the Golden Jubilee should not become mere celebration, it should rather be an opportunity to help and remember the less privileged brethren around you. The organizers have revealed that several humanitarian initiatives will be included in the one year programs of the Jubilee. The Pravasi Samgamam donated Rs 10 lacs towards the Sneha Karam (The Loving Hand) project of the church, aimed at rendering financial help to the poor victims of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, AIDS, heart and kidney ailments. Sneha Karam was instituted in 2010 to mark the 80th birthday of the Metropolitan. Christy Thomas, the Finance Committee convener, announced during the meeting that necessary funding for a full-fledged Blood Bank at the St Thomas Mission Hospital , Kattanam, will be provided shortly, revealing that the spot donations for this purpose exceeded Rs 12 lacs.
Overall, the program truly showcased the unity and strength of Mar Thoma diaspora and it testified the Metropolitan’s words “the Marthomite community is on the fast track of growth”.
