CHAPTER 10: Syro-malabar church and apostolic missionary activities

What were the Christians established by St Thomas called?

St Thomas Nazranis (Mar Thoma Christians).

What are the St Thomas Christians particularly conscious of?

The apostolic origins of their Church.

Why is the St Thomas Christian Church unique?

It is named after its founding apostle, whereas other apostolic Churches are generally named after their places of origin.

What were the main priorities of Mar Thoma Christians?

Preserving and strengthening their Christian faith, living according to Christian values and bearing witness to Jesus through daily life.

How were Mar Thoma Christians missionaries through their way of life?

They demonstrated their faith through their actions rather than force.

What factors weakened the missionary activities of Mar Thoma Christians?

The many religious traditions in India, the tolerant nature of Indian culture and the influence of the caste system.

How did members of the Syro-Malabar Church contribute to missionary work?

Many became priests and religious missionaries, serving in Latin dioceses and religious congregations.

How did the Syro-Malabar Church support Western missionary activities?

By providing personnel and financial support.

Approximately what percentage of members of many Indian religious communities and missionary organisations came from the Syro-Malabar Church?

Approximately 70%.

How did Syro-Malabar missionaries witness Jesus?

Through their dedicated service in India and overseas.

What authority did Mar Thoma Nazranis have until the 16th century?

They had authority to conduct Church activities throughout India.

Who governed the Mar Thoma Nazrani Church?

The Archdeacon of India.

What happened to Mar Thoma Christians' governing authority after Western missionaries arrived?

They gradually lost their governing authority.

Who established the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy?

Pope Pius XI, following continuous requests from Mar Thoma Nazranis.

What responsibility did migration create for the Syro-Malabar Church?

To provide pastoral care to its members wherever they settled.

How did the Syro-Malabar Church provide pastoral care to migrants?

By establishing new parishes and dioceses to support their spiritual needs.

Why is a person's mother Church important to their faith?

A person's faith is strongly influenced by the traditions of their mother Church.

How is spirituality developed within an individual Church?

Through its liturgy and religious practices.

Why must every individual Church provide pastoral care wherever its members live?

To preserve their faith, traditions and spiritual welfare.

What is the purpose of establishing parishes and separate hierarchies?

To ensure the spiritual welfare of the faithful.

What freedom does each individual Church have regarding evangelisation?

The freedom to proclaim the Gospel according to its own traditions.

What governing rights does each individual Church have?

The right to establish its own governing structure.

What liturgical rights does each individual Church have?

The freedom to preserve and develop its own liturgical practices.

Why were additional Syro-Malabar dioceses established?

To provide pastoral care and preserve their own liturgical traditions.

What pastoral problem still exists for some Syro-Malabar Christians?

Some lack access to their own liturgical traditions in India and other countries.

Why did Syro-Malabar Christians want mission dioceses?

To spread Christianity among non-Christian communities in different parts of India.

How did Church leaders express their missionary desire?

By repeatedly presenting their desire to the Pope.

Why did the Syro-Malabar Church receive mission dioceses?

To expand its evangelising activities throughout India.

Name the ten mission dioceses of the Syro-Malabar Church.

Chanda, Ujjain, Satna, Sagar, Jagdalpur, Bijnor, Rajkot, Gorakhpur, Thuckalay and Adilabad.

What is the purpose of the mission dioceses?

To spread the Gospel and serve communities in different regions of India.

What does the Syro-Malabar Church still need to strengthen its missionary activities?

More mission dioceses.

What are the five main styles of missionary activities?

Life witness, dialogue among religions, fasting and penance with Ashram life, formation of local worshipping communities, and missionary activities according to local culture.

What is life witness?

Spreading the Gospel by living according to the teachings and example of Jesus.

Why is life witness the first and most important missionary activity?

People recognise Christian faith through the actions and behaviour of Christians.

Why is life witness particularly important in India?

Because people follow many different religious traditions, making a Christian's life of love a powerful way to proclaim Jesus.

Which qualities demonstrate Christian values through life witness?

Kindness, honesty, compassion, service and respect.

What is interreligious dialogue?

Communication and cooperation between people of different religious communities to develop understanding and share faith.

Why is interreligious dialogue important in India?

Christians and Hindus have a long history of living and communicating together.

How does interreligious dialogue help Christians understand other religions?

It helps them understand the beliefs and traditions of other religions.

How does interreligious dialogue promote peaceful relationships?

By developing mutual respect and understanding between different religious communities.

How can Christians share their faith through interreligious dialogue?

By sharing their Christian experience of God with others.

How should missionaries treat people who disagree with them?

They should maintain good relationships with everyone, including those who disagree with them.

How should Christians help people of other religions?

They should willingly help others in times of need, regardless of their religion.

How can different religious communities work together?

By cooperating for the social and economic welfare of society.

How can Christians share their faith through friendship?

Through cooperation, friendship and sharing their experience of God.

What is the importance of fasting, penance and Ashram life?

They have an important place in Indian and Syro-Malabar Christian traditions.

What does the Church encourage consecrated persons to become?

Effective evangelists.

How should consecrated persons inspire others?

Through strong faith, commitment, spiritual discipline, prayer, penance, religious devotion and piety.

What should the lives of consecrated persons encourage others to develop?

A deeper relationship with God.

What is the purpose of forming local Christian worshipping communities?

To help people grow together in faith and strengthen their relationship with God.

What activities take place in local worshipping communities?

Listening to the Word of God, meditation, reflection, receiving the sacraments and sharing in the Eucharist.

Why should missionary activities adapt to local culture?

To suit the culture and traditions of each locality.

How should missionaries treat local customs and beliefs?

They should respect the customs and beliefs of different communities.

How does the Syro-Malabar Church adapt its missionary methods?

By using different approaches to spread the Gospel while maintaining its Christian identity.

What is the responsibility of every Syro-Malabar Church member towards missionary activities?

To be proud of the Church's missionary activities and cooperate with them as much as possible.