YOUTH FOR UNITY

Petition by Knanaya Catholic Youth of New York

Dear Vicar General and Knanaya Region Director Rev. Fr. Thomas Mulavanal,

We, the Youth of New York Knanaya Catholic community request your kind attention to our concerns. We are extremely saddened by the recent developments in the Knanaya Catholic Mission, Inc. under Fr. Joseph Mathew’s (Adopillil) pastoral care. We kindly request you to do the needful to accomplish the objectives in our petition by advising and/or instructing the pastor not to divide the community under his care and follow Pope Francis’s advice of “The people of God want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats or government officials”.

Many of us were present during the first few Holy Mass services since the pastor’s arrival on December 20, 2015 and we are reluctant to attend services ever since, due to reasons set forth below. Our parents are very disturbed by his provocative speeches and actions and we could see arguments and fight developing in this peaceful community. We are very anxious and concerned about their well-being. We do not foresee any American cultural integration; rather we see a dictatorial style of divide and rule, which we cannot accept. We strongly believe that the congregation that attends the Holy Mass comes there to pray and share the Good News of Christ, not to hear the provocative speeches and autocratic behavior during a Holy Mass. Therefore, the entire Youth of New York joins hands with our Youth of Rockland County who are the victims of such a situation and submit this petition for your consideration.

This petition is to:

1. Refrain from any action to move location of Knanaya Catholic Mission services from the Knanaya Community Center located in Stony Point, NY. As practiced since 2001, continue the Knanaya Catholic Mission services at the Knanaya Community Center where we belong. We were raised in its surroundings and our memories rest there. It is to be noted that this was the Holy Eucharistic Chapel of the Archdiocese of New York prior to our purchase and thus cannot justify priest’s argument that we need a Church building.

2. Refrain from creating division among the youth, community and especially among the families and children through provocative speeches.

3. Request pious religious services, homilies and announcements for the spiritual enrichment rather than threats, curses, ultimatums, and demanding money all the time.

4. Refrain from arrogant speeches and behavior of the pastor and thus provoking the faithful.

5. Respect each other and welcome the majority’s opinion and decisions.

Contact: Fr. Joseph Mathew: Tel: (954)-305-7850, Email: joseadoppillil@gmail.com

Contact: On behalf of the Youth: Steni Stephan: Tel: (845)-664-2878, Email: stephansteni@gmail.com

We remain very sincerely yours,

(Signed in the online petition)

The Knanaya Catholic Youth of New York

NB: This petition is copied to the Church hierarchies and if situations warrant may be forwarded to the civil authorities.