Bp Justin Madathilparambil
Auxiliary Bishop of Vijayapuram

Your diocese, Vijayapuram, is the largest in Kerala in terms of territory. As the vicar general, you have an intimate knowledge of the diocese. In your view, what are some of the challenges for the diocese and what are your hopes for the diocese?
I am happy to say that the diocese of Vijayapuram has moved successfully from the challenges it had in its infancy and has entered a period of youthful energy in the ways in which it serves the people of God. The diocese is trying to leap forward with the progress and development it has already achieved.
In spite of the great progress in various fields, the diocese continues to lag behind in social, economic and educational fields. Although we were able to build 840 houses for the poor people of our diocese, there are still many who do not own land or house. It is also painful to see that the Latin Catholic Community which includes Dalit Christians are excluded and not given the consideration they deserve in our society. The diocese is acutely aware of the need to make progress in almost all aspects of life.

The diocese of Vijayapuram has received generous help from European missionaries. They were leading the diocese till Archbishop Cornelius was made the bishop of Vijayapuram. Now, those European countries are in need of missionaries. Are you able to send missionaries to those countries if needed?
I am happy to say that there is a strong missionary consciousness among the priests, religious and lay faithful of our diocese. Our diocese, which was born out of the hard work of foreign missionaries are able to send priests to serve in Spain and other European countries.

As the vicar general of the diocese of Vijayapuram, what are some of the important experiences in your life?
One of the unforgettable experiences in my life as the vicar general was the procession we organized on the occasion of the centenary of the apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima which went through all the 88 parishes of our diocese. I was able to offer mass in all the parishes which was a unique experience for me right after taking charge as the vicar general. I also remember with gratitude the experience of participating in the work of Vijayapuram Social Service Society to help people during the great flood of 2018 and the COVID epidemic.

What was your first reaction when you were told that you are going to be a bishop? Were you expecting this call?
I never expected this call to be a bishop when I was serving as the vicar general. Of course, any priest could be called to the ministry of a bishop under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When the call came, I was afraid and anxious.

What is the episcopal motto of your Coat of Arms ?
“To encounter the other in love” is the motto I have chosen. That is what Jesus showed to anyone he met. I was also influenced by the first directive of our bishop that I should show paternal love and kindness to others even though I was relatively young.
Your father is deeply involved in the church as a sacristan. What role did your family play in your vocation? What were your dreams when you entered the seminary to study for priesthood?
My house was next to our parish church and the close relationship our family had with priests and nuns influenced my decision to join the seminary. My mother who used to be part of the C.S.S.T community of Mundakkayam Michology kept a close relationship with religious sisters. That also influenced me in my decision to enter the seminary. The light of the lamp lit by my father, the prayer of my mother from heaven give me strength in my priestly life.
When I entered the seminary, my only desire was to become a priest. Later on, it grew into a desire to become a holy priest.

How do you judge the state of lay participation in the church? What more could be done to increase the involvement of the laity in the work of the church?
Lay people should be aware of their dignity as members of the common priesthood through baptism. They should be great witnesses to the faith by strengthening their relationship to the church. Guided by Christian morals, they should take more leadership roles in the society.

Synodality is the great topic of discussion in the universal church. Has the church in Kerala and the various dioceses have shown any growth in this area? What more need to be done in strengthen synodality in the church?
We have to study the concept of synodality deeply. We need to do more to come together and to discuss what matters openly .

What is your view of the decrease in vocations? Do you have adequate number of vocations in your diocese?
There is a general decrease in the number of vocations, but our diocese is getting enough vocations for our needs. We were blessed with five diocesan priests and three religious priests last year.
There is a drastic decline in the candidates to become nuns. What do you think are the reasons for it and what can we do about it?
This is a phenomenon that is felt in the universal church. I think that the main reason for this is the decline of spiritual practices in families. The younger generation do not feel strong enough to live the vows of poverty, obedience and chastity.

As a bishop, you will become part of the leadership of the church in Kerala and India. How do you see the challenges the church in India especially in the North is facing?
To be a disciple of Jesus involves suffering and cross. The church always lives with Jesus crucified. Throughout its history, the church had to face various challenges. It is better to have a church that is alive than sleeping.
Many people complain that India is being taken over by fascist and communalist forces. What would be the future of Christian Community in India? How would we respond to those challenges?
The church belongs to martyrs and not to any other worldly powers. The church is thriving under the leadership of the Holy Father, the Pope, even though it had to face severe challenges throughout its history. This is because the church draws its strength from the Holy Spirit.

Many people complain that racist tendencies are growing among Christians in Kerala and some Christians align themselves with the racist tendencies of the majority community. How do you respond to those complaints?
The call of a Christian is to align with Christ and not to any other groups. The policy of the church has always been to keep harmony among various communities and to avoid communal conflicts.
Do you think that the church in kerala is indifferent to the challenges the Christians are facing in North Indian States? How should we respond to the sufferings of Christians outside Kerala?
The pain of a member of the mystical body of Christ, the church, is the pain of the whole church. The pain of the church in North India where hundreds of priests and nuns provide selfless service is a pain felt by the universal church. I believe that the church in Kerala has taken effective steps in this regard. Violence, killings and other destructive acts are against the principles of the church.

Please tell the readers about your prayer life. Are there any special intentions for which you pray?
I always try to offer daily Mass and administer other sacraments with devotion, by spending time to prepare for it. The canonical prayers give me lot of strength. I always pray for the priests and the faithful of the diocese and for its various needs.

• Translated by
  Fr Mathew Eraly