Criteria for Declaring a Saint ‘Father of the Syro-Malabar Church Sui Iuris’ and ‘Doctor of the Universal Church’ and their Application on Saint Chavara

Abstract

Francis Thonippara presents St Kuriakose Elias Chavara of the Holy Family as the second founder of the Syro-Malabar Church. Chavara is worthy to be honoured with the title ‘Father of the Syro-Malabar Church sui juris’ and ‘Doctor of the Universal Church’. The present article has two sections; and section A presents the historical setting of the Syro-Malabar Church and the unique position of St Kuriakose Elias Chavara in the Church. This section also analyses the criteria for declaring a Saint ‘Father of the Church’ in the SMC and explores the possibility of conferring the title ‘Father of the SMC’ on St Kuriakose Elias Chavara. Section B presents St Kuriakose Elias Chavara as an eligible candidate to be declared a Doctor of the Universal Church. The author persuades the Holy Synod of the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church to exercise its privilege and power by declaring St Kuriakose Elias Chavara as Father of the SMC and by recommending him to be declared a Doctor in the Universal Church.