H.E. Most. Rev. Joseph POWATHIL, Archbishop of Changanacherry of the Syro-Malabras (INDIA)
The Eucharist - and liturgy as a whole - is the most privileged and powerful medium through which the Church transmits the deposit of faith received from the Apostles. Traditions transmitted by liturgy guarantee throughout time the continuity and authenticity of the apostolic faith. Liturgy, especially the Eucharist, is not only the expression of the faith, it is the very 'Epiphany' of the Church. Liturgical abuses therefore do violence to the very ethos of Christian life.
The Oriental Churches have been called 'liturgical Churches' owing to the great emphasis they give to eucharistic celebration and to liturgy as a whole. For them liturgy celebrates the faith handed down by the Apostles, theology explains that which is celebrated and discipline protects, like a shell, that which is celebrated, explained and lived.
The variety of liturgical traditions and therefore of the faith traditions of the Church serves to manifest the richness of the mystery of Christ and the divine plan of salvation. Hence the patrimony of all the Churches must 'remain whole and entire' and the Churches should return to those traditions 'if they have fallen away do to the vicissitudes of time or persons'.
Unfortunately the Oriental Churches have in various ways through the vicissitudes of history failed in different degrees to preserve their valuable heritage. In the present day context of globalisation and standardisation there is the danger that these small Churches may further loose their perspectives.
Therefore we hope that the Successor of Peter, endowed with the duty of confirming his brethren in faith, will help the Oriental Churches in a special way to grow and bear more effective witness before the world with greater fidelity to their valuable heritage. This will surely strengthen the cause of Christian unity and the proclamation of the mystery of Christ in our times.
I particularly enjoyed the interventions of the Eastern Rite hierarchs in all this. I trust they will be listened to.