Kuriakose Elias Chavara: Antiquity in His Ecclesial Contributions

Abstract

Benny Thettayil, in the present article, explores and emphasizes one of the characteristic features of the Fathers of the Church, i.e., ‘antiquity’ in the life and contributions of Chavara.  He explains the role of Chavara in the ecclesial formative period by becoming an exponent of pastoral awakening and ecclesial revitalization when it needed a spiritual revival. Chavara’s zeal for the Church made him a strong defender of the Church for he knew its apostolic faith, traditions and history. He was convinced of the apostolicity of the Syro-Malabar Church and was proud of the antiquity of its faith and tradition, and as a patriarchal figure he defended the Church and protected it from possible divisions and disputes. Expounding the outstanding contributions of Chavara in spiritual, educational, ecclesial and literary realms, Thettayil in his article urges the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church to declare Chavara a Father of the Syro-Malabar Church.