Monumental: 283rd Birth Anniversary Of The First Indian Archbishop

05/05/2025 Leon Jose Vithayathil

The 18th Century Journey of Indian Priests to Meet the Pope and the Queen: The First Indian Travelogue

283rd Birth Anniversary of Mar Joseph Kariattil: The First Indian Archbishop

‘’Varthamanappusthakam’’ the first Indian travelogue written by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar in Malayalam, features the historic journey of Mar Joseph Kariattil and Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar to Rome in the 18th century, aimed to secure the rights of their people and restore unity among the divided St. Thomas Christian community in India. Mar Joseph Kariattil and Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar were prominent leaders in the history of the St. Thomas Christians. Mar Kariattil and Thoma Kathanar played a significant role in preserving the identity and traditions of the St. Thomas Christians.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Kariattil was born to Pailey and Mariam in Alangad, Ernakulam, on the 5th of May, 1742, a region with a long-standing Christian tradition dating back to St. Thomas the Apostle. Kariattil displayed a strong interest in religious studies and theology from a young age. Understanding his capabilities, Portuguese missionaries sent him to Pontifical Urban University in Rome for studies at the age of 13 in 1755. He was ordained as a priest in Rome and earned a doctorate in Philosophy and Theology. He returned to India in 1766 and was appointed Malpan (Religious Teacher) in Alangad Seminary.

Background: The Coonan Cross Oath and Reunification Efforts with Mar Thoma VI

The Christian community in Kerala had undergone significant changes following the Coonan Cross Oath (Koonan Kurishu Satyam) of 1653. This event marked the resistance of the St. Thomas Christians to Portuguese missionary efforts to impose Latin practices on their church. The oath led to a split, with one faction, led by Mar Thoma I, rejecting Latinization and maintaining their Eastern traditions. This group eventually became the Malankara Church (Puthenkoor). Meanwhile, the other faction of the St. Thomas Christians remained loyal to Rome (Pazhayakoor), known today as Syro Malabar Church.

At the time of Kariattil Malpan, the Syrian Catholics were still struggling under foreign control, and the church leadership remained largely in the hands of Portuguese missionaries. Kariattil Malpan and Thoma Kathanar took the initiative to begin reunification discussions with Mar Thoma VI. His discussions with Mar Thoma VI aimed at finding common ground between the Orthodox Church and the Syrian Catholic Church. They proposed that the Malankara Orthodox Church could retain their traditions while accepting the papal authority.

Journey to Rome

Amid these reunification efforts, along with Thoma Kathanar, Kariattil set off on a mission to Rome in 1778. The goal of this journey was the reunification of St. Thomas Christians and to secure greater autonomy for the Syrian Catholics to protect their cultural and religious traditions. Kariattil Malpan’s mission to Rome was a diplomatic effort to protect the traditions of the St. Thomas Christians and ensure that it would have a native leader who understood the needs of the local Christian community. His journey took him through Europe, where he gathered support for the noble cause of the St. Thomas Christians.

**Ring, missal patena and chalice, belonging to Mar Joseph Kariattil, which he received from Rome**

Kariyattil Malpan’s discussions with church authorities in Rome were challenging due to the influence of the Portuguese Missionaries, and on December 16th, 1782, Queen Maria I of Portugal, impressed by his dedication and faith, declared Kariattil Malpan as the Archbishop of Kodungallur, making him the first native Indian to hold this position by the Padroado (the privilege granted by the Popes to the Crown of Portugal). After the confirmation of the appointment by Pope Pius VI, he was consecrated as the Archbishop on February 17th, 1783, at the Sao Bento Monastery Church in Lisbon. Mar Jospeh Kariyattil received the pallium as a symbol of the archbishop from the pope. He was also granted the authority for the reunification of the St. Thomas Christians.

Return and Death

Tragically, Mar Joseph Kariattil passed away before he could fully implement his plans as Archbishop. While returning from Rome to assume his role in Kerala, he fell ill and died mysteriously in Goa on September 10th, 1786. His untimely death was a great loss for the St. Thomas Christians, as he was unable to carry out many of the reforms he had envisioned, and reunification of the St. Thomas Christians never happened. Upon realizing his end was near, Mar Kariattil appointed Thoma Kathanar as the Governador (Administrator) of Kodungallur Archdiocese.

Writings

Mar Kariattil authored two notable works.

1. ‘‘Vedatharkkam’’ (Dialectics on Theology) in Karshoni (Syrian Malayalam)

2. ‘‘Noticias do Reino do Malabar’’ (Information about the Kingdom of Malabar) in Portuguese.

Importance of Mar Joseph Kariattil in Present Day

Mar Joseph Kariattil’s efforts and vision hold immense relevance in the present day Syro-Malabar Church liturgical issue. Mar Kariattil’s advocacy for preserving the unique traditions of the Syrian Church while staying connected to the universal Catholic Church is a guiding example for resolving such disputes. His efforts to balance the Eastern identity with Roman allegiance demonstrate that unity and tradition can coexist harmoniously. In today’s context, Mar Kariattil’s legacy reminds us that respectful dialogue, cultural preservation, and unity are essential in overcoming divisions within the church, much like the reunification attempts he pursued with the Malankara faction in his time.