MAVELIKARA: Attending the consecration ceremony of the renovated St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Puthiyakavu, Mavelikara, is a divine blessing, stated Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. Established in 943 AD according to historical records, the cathedral stands as a testament to the secular and cultural heritage of Kerala, beautifully blending Portuguese and Keralite architectural styles.
The ceremony, which coincided with the third death anniversary of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Nelson Mandela International Day, became a platform for the Chief Minister to recount the rich historical legacies of national leaders associated with this historic parish.
C.M. Stephen’s Dynamic ‘Resurrection’ Speech That Shook Parliament
Chief Minister Satheesan fondly recalled C.M. Stephen, a prominent member of this parish and a former Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He vividly described Stephen’s legendary ‘Resurrection’ speech in the Indian Parliament. In 1977, when the Janata Party government attempted to imprison Indira Gandhi post-Emergency, Stephen drew parallels with Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, roaring:
”You have crucified Indira Gandhi. But remember, there is a resurrection from the cross.”
Fulfilling this prophecy, Indira Gandhi returned to power with a roaring majority in 1980. The Chief Minister emphasized that the Christian values instilled by this parish provided Stephen with the conviction to deliver such a powerful speech in Parliament.
P.C. Alexander and the Dinner in Denmark
The Chief Minister also shared an interesting anecdote from the book ‘My Years with Indira Gandhi’ written by another illustrious parishioner, Dr. P.C. Alexander, who served as the Principal Secretary to Indira Gandhi. During a visit to Denmark in 1983, a Danish official’s wife asked Alexander how he got the name ‘Alexander’ despite being an Indian. Alexander enlightened her on the history of Christianity reaching Kerala via St. Thomas long before it spread to many parts of Europe. Satheesan noted how Westerners were amazed by Indira Gandhi’s decision to appoint a Christian from Kerala to such a crucial post purely based on merit.
A Call to the Church to Combat Social Issues
Turning his attention to contemporary challenges, the Chief Minister highlighted the rising menace of drug abuse among the youth and the isolation faced by the elderly. Under the government’s anti-drug initiative ‘Toofan’, around 7,000 individuals have been jailed, 75% of whom are youngsters.
To save the future generations from this ruin, Satheesan urged the church leadership to strengthen its bond with families. Emphasizing that a nation is only as strong as its families, he concluded his speech by invoking the biblical quote of Prophet Joshua: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
