Waning interest among faithful to become nuns, priests: Church

In a pastoral letter to be read out in all the Syro Malabar churches (SMC) tomorrow morning, Archbishop Dr George Alanchery expressed grave concern over the trend.

He said the church was facing "great challenges" and most important of them all was the "unwillingness" of the faithful to enter priesthood, nunnery and other missionary activities.

This is his first pastoral letter to the faithful since assuming office as the head of the four-million strong catholic church on May 29. The letter was in connection with the memory of Saint Thomas' Martyrdom at Mylapore (Chennai) on July 3, AD 72.

The Apostle of India, Saint Thomas landed at Kodungalloor in AD 52 from where he proceeded to Palayur near here and converted 17,750 people to Christian faith and sowed the seeds of Christianity in the country.

Alanchery blamed lack of proper faith in God, absence of prayer-oriented life, modern nuclear families with less number of children and criticism about activities of missionaries for the decline in interest of the faithful to becomes priests and nuns. He urged for earnest steps to stem the situation by encouraging the missionaries.

With a view to improving the missionary activities, SMC has decided to observe 'Mission year' from this August to August 2012, the letter added. The inauguration of the Mission Year would be held on August 21, at Mar Thomas Pilgrim Centre at Azhikode near Kodungalloor.