Fracas over the origin of the `Marthoma Cross' or `Manichaen Cross'

Friday, April 24, 1998  ~ Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.

Row over `Mar Thoma Cross' may take unholy turn

Bonnie James  

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KOCHI, April 23: The fracas over the origin of the `Marthoma Cross' or `Manichaen Cross,' as it is termed by the respective factions in the Syro-Malabar Church, threatens to turn ugly. It is the decision of the Nazrani Catholica Paithruka Samrakshana Samithi to consign to flames the Manichaen symbol and the new parish council rules on May 7 that lends a strong emotional touch to the issue. The consequences of the samithi's move are unpredictable. The name `Marthoma' comes from St Thomas who propagated Christianity in India while the latter term is derived from Mani, who lived in Persia in the third century and founded the Manichaen sect, a mixture of Christianity and Zoroastrianism. Incidentally, a pastoral letter of Changanassery Archbishop Joseph Powathil, the bete noire of the samithi, with an exhaustive explanation on the need to respect the `Cross' had imparted a new twist to the dispute.

According to him, the Holy Cross was a revered object in the Church from ancient times. While refuting theallegation that the Cross opposes the Crucifix, he made clear his stand for the installation of the former in the altar instead of the latter. ``The devotion to the Crucifix was propagated here only after the 16th century by missionaries. Although it is not necessary to stop venerating the Crucifix, it is clear that it cannot express the mystery of Christ fully. The cross, the symbol of resurrection, is the apt object to be installed in the altar,'' the Archbishop who wears the same cross as his pectoral cross maintained.

In this context, it has to be recalled that move to install the disputed cross in the churches of the Archdiocese of Changanassery has been creating tension.

Terming Mani as an `absurd prophet,' Archbishop Powathil contested the view that the `Marthoma Cross' was Manichaen. After the letter, which also `warned' against `those conducting misinformation campaigns,' was read on March 29 in the churches of the Archdiocese, there was a flurry of activity in the rival camp. The All IndiaCatholic Association unit, Changanassery, challenged the Archbishop to prove that the cross in question was `brought' by St Thomas himself. ``Has this cross been approved by the Synod ?'' and ``If so, then why it is not being installed in the altar of churches in all dioceses?'' were among the other questions. In the opinion of Fr C J Varkey, director, Charismatic Retreat Centre, Kulathuvayal, the `Manichaen Cross,' is not to be exhibited at all in churches and altars. ``This was brought to Kerala by Mani himself. Abandoned during sixth century it surfaced as `Marthoma Cross.'

There is no dearth for varied arguments and counter arguments on the issue. But one thing is certain. As Thrissur Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy said before a Synodal session, it is the duty of the Synod to remove the doubts in the minds of the faithful. Till then, the situation in the Church would continue to be volatile.