An encouraging encounter

These celebrations took place in Switzerland in Berne. We were visited by four Indian Bishops: Dr Joseph Mar Barnabas and Dr Euyakim Mar Coorilos, who are the suffragan metropolitans, Bishop Dr Isaac Mar Philoxenos, who is responsible for the ecumenical relationships of his church, and Bishop Dr Joseph Mar Ivanios, who was a former doctoral student at our theological institute as well as Rev. Abey T. Mammen, who is the “Sahba secretary,” the chief of staff at the church headquarters. And also five Old Catholic bishops were present for the celebrations. 

The celebrations started with a shared service between the Old Catholic Church and the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church of India celebrated by Bishop Dr Joseph Mar Barnabas in the Old Catholic Church of St Peter and Paul in Berne to which I was invited as a female Old Catholic priest. We celebrated the eucharist according to the ancient liturgy attributed to St James, brother of Jesus. This service was for me a strong sign of our church communion and I was touched by the songs of praise in the local Indian language, Malayalam. Even though I could not understand them, I felt Christ’s presence and the Holy Spirit moving among us. The moment of receiving communion together with the clergy of the Mar Thoma Church was unforgettable. This recognition of my priesthood in a church that does not ordain women was very special and heart-touching. 

This was followed by a visit to the World Council of Churches the next day. We were welcomed by Rev. Dr Benjamin Simon at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. After a short visit to the chapel we had a very encouraging discussion with WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and other members of the staff. Looking at the relationship of our two churches from an ecumenical perspective was very enlightening for me. Thus I was touched that the coming together of our two churches is seen as a witness for church unity by the WCC which shines with its light into the world. And I was moved by the assurance that the WCC will continue to support the way forward of our two churches. This will be explored by a working group that was commissioned in the festive service on Sunday. After a great lunch we had in the afternoon the opportunity to visit the new rooms of the WCC and get to know more members of the staff. Particularly in my memory stays a talk with Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba who cherished the opportunity to speak with a fellow woman priest. 

On Friday morning we visited with the Indian bishops the House of Religions in Berne, which opened in 2014. Learning about the needs and difficulties, but also the enrichment the various religions sharing a house and thus living very closely together lived through was an eyeopener for me and widened my perspective to include interreligious dialogue more into my life. 

The Saturday was dedicated to an academic colloquium entitled “Committed to Communion” at the university of Berne that reflected the relationship between our two churches from the Old Catholic, Mar Thoma, and outside expert perspectives. I was only able to attend the morning. But the initial lecture given by Bishop Dr Mar Ivanios showed me the challenges Christians are suffering today in India and how important it is for me and us as a church to stand up for them in solidarity. 

Finally the celebrations ended with a festive service marking the church communion between our two churches. I was touched by the truly shared character of the eucharist the Swiss Bishop Frank Bangerter celebrated. Thus the readings were held in four languages: German, French, Malayalam, and English. The intercessions were commonly brought forward by members of both churches. All this culminated for me in the holy communion distributed by pairs consisting always of an Old Catholic and a Mar Thoma bishop. 

Church communion thus became visible and alive to me. It was no more just an agreement but a transforming experience strengthening my commitment for churches to search for unity. And it also challenged me to search for opportunities where I can stand up in solidarity for churches in a minority situation. 

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