• Bp Mathai Kadavil OIC
  Bp of Khadki

You are getting ordained as a bishop of the church on February 15 what is the motto you wish to take as bishop, and why this?
“My Grace is sufficient for you” 2 Cor 12:9 is taken as my motto. It is drawn from my reflections on God’s grace that has guided me in my life. We see the same in St Paul. He wrote to the Conthinas that “I am what I am by the Grace of God” (1 Cor 15:10). Acknowledging God’s grace in his mission to the gentiles he wrote: “Of this Gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power” (Eph 3:7). While worrying about his own weakness in fulfilling his mission; St Paul was strengthened by the whispering of the Holy Spirit “My grace is sufficient for you” (2Cor 12:9). I too have some anxieties in taking up this mission but I hear the divine voice whispering “My grace is sufficient for you” strengthening me to move forward and thus this motto.

What will be your pastoral priority as the bishop of Eparchy of St. Ephrem of Khadki ?
My pastoral priority in Khadki is to walk with the faithful, religious and clergy fulfilling the will of God. In this journey we hope to converse with our separated brethren and people of other faith.

How will you describe the Catholic community of Khadki ?
The diocese of Khadki consists of two groups: the diaspora mission started in the metropolitan cities for the Malankarites and the new missions started in the villages. We have rather strong parishes in the cities. Our community keep good relations with Catholics belonging to Latin and Syro-Malabar rites. The ecumenical relations especially with the diaspora communities from Syrian traditions are also strong. The village mission is in the beginning stage and it is progressing slowly.

What are the current figures of the catholic population of your diocese and the number of priests you have? Pope Francis is speaking of Synodality, what does it mean to you?
The faithful of the diocese will come to around 5000. There are 26 established parishes and 14 mission stations. We have 19 priests in the diocese. Besides, 21 priests from other dioceses and religious communities are also serving in the diocese. Our diocese is the result of a synodal journey. The lay people who came for jobs and studies to the metropolitan cities of India began our communities here. The religious and priests joined them extending pastoral care. Now the lay leaders are in the forefront initiating mission expansion. A smooth collaboration between priests, religious and laity is the hallmark of the diocese

You were teaching in the Malankara seminary of what was your topic of teaching how did your theological training in Leuven help you
I am a professor of systematic theology and I was teaching ecclesiology, sacrament of initiation, Eucharist, spirituality and so on. Besides, I was also teaching oriental and eastern theology with a special focus to its relevance in the Indian-Oriental context. The historico-critical approach of Leuven school and recent trend to interdisciplinary approach helped me to interpret theology to the emerging situations.

In Maharashtra the Catholic Church is a minority, and how do you understand the life of a minority among the vast majority of non-Christian, how do you understand it and live by these differences?
It is true that the Catholics are a tiny minority here in Maharashtra. At the same time, it has a good foundation with strong presence in big cities like Mumbai and Pune. We also have good educational institutions here in Maharashtra. The involvement of Catholics with the general public was rather cordial. The presence of the biggest and one of the oldest seminaries in India is in Pune and it always promoted intercultural dialogues. In spite of some tensions in the name of religion in some corners, the religious leaders have shown the maturity to understand each other. But in the changing scenario, the situation may not be easy. Propaganda through social media especially by fundamentalist from all religious communities tempt people to react without knowing the reality is a great danger.

How do you understand missionary activity of the church and the future of mission activity is India? How the Indian church is facing the Indian reality?
The Catholic mission of evangelization in India often tried to respect the multi-cultural reality of India. As I understand the Catholic Church is not engaged in any forceful conversion. Our mission is mainly of Christian witness. The Catholic Church often victims of forceful conversion of some radical groups. Some fanatics interpret our mission in a wrong manner and that too lead to tensions in different area especially our involvement and fight for justice like the case of Stan Swamy.

How do you understand Christian identity in India?
Often the Christianity is presented as foreign religion forgetting its presence from the very beginning of Christianity. It is a religion began in Asia and very much fitting to the Indian culture. Unfortunately, it was presented as a foreign religion during colonial period. It is our task to present Christianity fitting to the cultural context of India. We must be very sensitive to the cultural ethos of our country.

India has been a land of caste divisions and out-castes, has the Code of Manu has become more important than the Constitution of India? How to defend fraternity in this country?
It is true that casteism had a deep root in the Indian culture. At the same time, in the modern time we could overcome this dilemma with secularistic thinking. It is well integrated in the Indian constitution. However, in recent times we find lots of difficulties in maintaining the secularist thinking in India. It is our challenge to join with others to defend secularist outlook in India.

India with its Hindutuva ideology is accused of being caste ridden and even fundamentalist, what do you think is the future of Indian democracy?
India is passing through a tough time. Religious fundamentalism is growing in different parts of the country. It is a global phenomenon and reducing this to the Indian context may not be fare. True religious leaders should work hand in hand to overcome this difficult situation.

What is in Jesus that is most striking for you, how do you understand the Christian missionary mandate in India?
Jesus’ interpretation of OT rules is astonishing. He transcends the meaning of Old Testament rules to the changing contexts. He interprets rules for the good of human being. We see Jesus who obeys rule and at the same time interpreting it with new meaning. Regarding the mission mandate, though he was presented as the redeemer of Israelites, his mission also had a wider meaning extending to the Samaritans and people of other categories. The mission mandate is nothing but the expansion of Christian values to the whole world. At the same time, Christian worship and life shall not be limited to a few.