Category Archives: Letters

What has to change?

The never-ending invasion of refugees is provoking challenges to Europe. It is estimated that 800 000 people, declared the German Homeminister, will take refuge in Germany this year. This is a challenge, admits Angela Merkel, which is more difficult to deal with than the Euro or Greek crisis. We all, observes Pope Francis, live in “a common house”, which is near to collapse.

What has caused that sudden invasion and migration of millions of people? What’s wrong? What needs to change? It is manifest that we in Germany and all Europeans are being challenged as national communities and as a continent. Politicians feel helpless not able to offer a solution of the turbulence. State Bureaucracies are  overburdened and the great number of volunteers are reaching limits in dealing properly with the incoming refugees. Particularly alarming is that there are frequently fire attacks on refugee homes. Pick-up fights are accumulating. Social peace in our country is at stake and we have neither answer or remedy to the plight of the greatly suffering refugees seeking shelter country.

The causes of mass flight are very different: War, terror and persecution on the one side – poverty, corruption and unemployment on the other side. To many refugees we are bound to grant asylum: our Constitution and our Mitmenschlichkeit (fellow beings solidarity) require to commit ourselves to the refugees in their distastrous calamities. Armutsflüchtlinge (poverty refugees), mainly from the Balkans are not counted as asylum seekers, there is no law to assist them legally. But their sufferings and human needs are also enormous.

One thing is certain: as long as in the Middle East – in Syria with more than 250 000 war victims, in Iraq, in Libya, violence, killings and war are continuing…, as long as in Africa people and nations are suffering under state terror, anarchy and oppression –  as long asin East-Europe people do not find work and food due to , corruption and state mismanagement…, so long there will be hundreds of thousands of people fleeing to Europe, especially to Germany to rescue their lives and to seek refuge.

Ursachenbekämpfung (cause combat) are required – and it is truly required. But state and private development and economic aid for poor countries, although necessary, have usually impact only after many years – or not at all, when millions of dollars or euros are disappearing in the pockets of the ruling class. Peace initiatives are even more urgent as well as conflict mediation, if only the United Nations or other institutions would have the required authority and functioning structures. Probably – sad enough –  a lot of blood will flow, until from the tragic Middle East power struggle aiming at access to econoic ressources peaceful solutions will emerge. In the meantime, terrorists in gisguise of religion and fanatic extremists are continuing to commit satanic atrocities. It is worrying that at the beginning of the Afghanistan and Iraq war there were about a hundred terrorists, while today, hundreds of thousands of terrorists are threatening international peace by destroying uncountable lives. Greed and claim to powers of Western states mingled with the fatal arch-enmity between Shia and Sunni Muslims have nationally and internationally led to the tragedy from which countless people try to escape at any cost. Ursachenbekämpfung (cause combat) is called for, but it is easy to claim for it it by words….

Needs for us in Germany are the updating of the German asylum law, the fast provision of an immigration law mainly for Europaeans and to pass an almost utopian agreement towards an European asylum law. The despair of the refugees, social peace in European countries and the realisation ot the European vision of human dignity and freedom, justice and peace are enormous challenges of the present.

A lot has to change. But peacemaking and combating poverty require much, too much time. Statesmen and women, economic enterpreneurs and civic individuals with a lot of courage, common sense and creativity are required. The longings of people to leave in peace, justice and freedom are ineffaceable and unending.  But as long as weapons are not put buried, as long as economic exploitation and oppression are continuing and as long as people are threatened and arbitrarily killed or do not find food or work…, so long millions will flee and escape their killers and oppressors.

Germany so far has accepted in Europe next to Sweden and Austria most of the refugees. The dreamland of many people  is Germany. We have not deserved such a high regard. Refugees hope – utopia or not – to receive some of the advantages and achievements of the German postwar society such as prosperity, social and legal security, freedom, human rights and social justice, functioning (with little corruption) economic and political system.

The public discussion in Germany is in the meantime emotionally charged. People and parties are more and more polarized. Black-white labelling of people is frequent: everything or nothing, for or against refugees. Carefully discerning and properly arguing discussions  are rare. The human dignity of all is the subject  – and this one does not fall under the reservation “unless, of course, there are too many”. Xenophobic actions are still 1 against 10 refugee solidarity activities. After the recent “politbarometer”  the majority of Germans believe to be able to  “handle the invasion of refugees”. Sometimes we are reminded that 12 million refugees were included into Germany after the Second World War…

What has to change nowadays? What can not go on as it was going on? We cannot satisfy ourselves instead of learning and re-thinking our attidue towards live and our living standards, our global responsibilities, our intercultural and interreligious relations so as to live together peacefully with anyone, with the own people and with people of different ethnicities, cultures and religions. It is about to live together in a changed context and envirmonment. We need all in all to deepen and reconfirm our ethical, cultural and spiritual values as base for our live-together. In relationg to the refugees it is urgent that volunteers and civic groups and non-government organisations are being heard by power centered politicians and overformalized bureaucracies. I did appeal to the regional government to reply to five years pending asylum applications of pending of Afghan and Iranian refugees; I have protested against the deportation of a seriously sick youngster from Kosovo. Whenever we fail to challenge inhumanely acting administrations we try again and again. If everything fails hope will prevail.

What can you do? Each one can contribute to the public debate with fair and reflected arguments to shun black-white labels and friend-enemy patterns. Racist slogans and xenophobic emotions can be rejected with peaceful means. The Churches in our country should not get tired, to challenge themselves and their communities to be open to refugees by creative means and to grow into solidarity with them. In religious ceremonies and social activites refugees should be included giving them priority. With the invasion of refugees our faith, our culture, our humanity are at stake.

Klaus Beurle, Germany

Hope to see you in Heaven !

(A Tribute to my brother Priest of Jesus Caritas)

Sudden and shocking breaking news was received that Fr. Thomaiar Susai (India) slept in the Lord on Friday 25 July in the hospital in Yangon, Myanmar. He was later taken to Bangalore and buried at Sacred Heart Priests Cemetery on 29 July.

Fr. Thomaiar was one of the 26 Priests from Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests who had come together from 6 countries to go through a deep experience of spirituality of Little Bro. Charles (1858-1916) by exercising Month of Nazareth (July 1-23, 2015) in Myanmar. During the last week there was one week Retreat. On the last day of Retreat he had a stroke on 21 July. He was admitted in a hospital nearby city in Mandalay. Later he was shifted in Yangon for better treatment. He was taken good care of by brother Priests. Finally after having received Sacrament of the anointing of Sick by H.E. Archbishop Most Rev. Charles Bo he breathed his last.

First time I met Fr. Thoamiar was in June 1992 during the Month of Nazareth at Baguio City (Philippines) organized by Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests in Asia. We took active part in all exercises and seeking the deep treasures of Spirituality of Nazareth. We prayed , praised and played together, did manual work went for exposure. We grow into brotherhood. . He always enjoyed and commented on my sharing and reflections. We always admired , supported and strengthen each other.

This experience was indeed my initiation into the life and Spirituality of L. Bro. Charles and way of life of JC Fraternity of Priests. And he was the first Indian Priest I met belonging to JC Fraternity of Priests. In fact he was Responsible for India.

My brotherhood with Thomaiar in Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests has been framed between two Months of Nazareth. And now our last meeting was also in the Month of Nazareth in July 2015 in Myanmar. We spent time together recalling our memories of JC General Assembly 1994 at Cebu City, Philippines. We remembered our senior brothers and friends some of whom have passed from this world and gone to the Lord. And we prayed for them

During this Month of Nazareth we celebrated his Birthday on 11 July 2015. He completed his 64 years of his life. We sang and swished him many happy returns of the day !! He was also main celebrant for Holy Mass on Feast of St. Thomas, his name’s Saint. Few weeks before he came to Myanmar for the Month of Nazareth he celebrated his 37 years of priestly ministry on 5th. June. He has pastorally served in 10 Parishes. He was recently ministry as Parish Priest of Holy Family Church in Ramamurthy Nagar in the Diocese of Bangalore, India. Who knew that after these celebrations and going to Myanmar his Parishners will no longer see their Parish Priest celebrating his priesthood among them.

Thomaiar was a simple person. He lived a simple life style. He was man of few words. He was an active and reflective listener. A deep silence on his face could be observed most of the time.
A day before the first Desert Day he gave some reflections on the spiritual dimension of Desert and prepared us to go through this important spiritual exercise. We reflected on the value of silence and solitude and prayed the prayer of Abandonment. And it was in this spirit of Prayer of abandonment that he must have quietly surrendered his life to the Lord.

His death during Month of Nazareth and at the end of one Week retreat was proved to be an intensive spiritual preparation for Christian and priestly death. After having reflected deeply on the spirit of listening to God in silence and solitude he entered into his communion with the Lord. Yes indeed Our souls are restless until they find rest in you O God.

He spent the last days his life in Myanmar among his brother Priests. My heartfelt thanks go to our brother priests of Myanmar and Archbishop and Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Yangoon. During his last days before his death He was taken good care of both bodily and spiritually.

My condolence for the family of Fr. Thomaiar. I express our solidarity with Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, Religious and Clergy of the Archdiocese of Bangalore and with the Priests of JC Fraternity in India and also the participants of Month of Nazareth in Myanmar.

Priests and Pascal mystery are closely connected. Priest who celebrates mystery of Christ’s Passover in the Eucharist ought to live daily and finally in his death the same mystery of Eucharist. He celebrates the mystery of the Passover of the Body of Christ and he has to reinact the same in his own body, daily and especially in his death.

I had to leave Month of Nazareth half way and had to come back. When we were bidding farewell to each other Fr. Thomaiar, with a smile and shine on his face he invited me to come to India. And I promised him that I will see him in Bangalore. I had no opportunity to bid you farewell from this earthly journey dear Thomaiar. I promise you that you will always be remembered. Through our prayers for each other we will bring heaven and earth closer. And I hope to meet you in heaven. There we will celebrate mystery of the Resurrection and Eucharist in its fullest sense.

Fr. Emmanuel Asi
Lahore-Pakistan

OBITUARY

From Myanmar to the Father’s House

Fr. Thomaiar Susai
Born:  11.07.1951
Ordained:  05.06.1978
Expired:  24.07.2015
Christian Funeral: 29.07.2015

It was indeed very hard to understand and accept what has happened to our Brother. At that moment the Prayer of Abandonment became very personal and real which we were reciting together number of times in a day.

We look back with gratitude, as we remember the passing away to eternal life of our beloved Jesus Cartitas Fraternity member Fr. Thomaiar Susai who died on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 8:43 pm in Yangon, Myanmar while the Asian Month of Nazareth 2015 was reaching its conclusion.

Fr. Thomaiar was a committed member of Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests and showed special zeal and enthusiasm for such spirituality. According to his priest friends who were also part of the Asian Month of Nazareth in Myanmar, he did not have any major health problem, except that he had some heart related health issues a few years back.

In a way, he was well prepared to meet his Creator. His Feast Day – St. Thomas the Apostle and his Birthday were celebrated with great delight. He was the Main Celebrant for both the occasions. He took part in all the spiritual activities of the Month of Nazareth like: Adoration, Gospel Sharing, Celebration of the Holy Mass, Desert Days, Dish washing and other community exercises.

Through the tireless efforts of the Hierarchy and Fraternity members of Myanmar, the mortal remains of Fr. Thomaiar were sent to India from Myanmar on July 28, 2015. They were taken straight from the Airport to the Holy Family Church – Ramamurthy Nagar, where he was the Parish Priest.

On July 29, a Requiem Mass was offered in that Church. After the Mass, the Coffin was shifted to Sacred Heart Church – Richmond Road and was kept for the public to pay their last respects. The Funeral Service was conducted at Sacred Heart Church – Richmond Road, followed by the burial at Sacred Heart Priests Cemetery.

Fr. Thomaiar was born on July 11, 1951 at Muthuvijayapuram, Ramanathapuram Dist., Tamil Nadu. Out of 6 children (4 boys and 2 girls), Fr. Thomaiar was the fifth child. His parents and eldest brother have already gone to their eternal reward.

After his high school studies in his home town, he joined the Archdiocese of Bangalore to have his priestly formation at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary and at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. He was ordained a priest on June 5,1978 at Ascension Church, Bangalore, by the late Archbishop Packiam Arokiaswamy.

He served the Archdiocese Bangalore for 37 years and ministered in 10 parishes of the Archdiocese.

Let us continue to pray for the repose of his soul in gratitude to God for all the services that he has rendered to the Fraternity and to the people of God in his Archdiocese.

On behalf of all the Asian and International Fraternity Members, I express my heartfelt sympathies to the Archbishop and Fraternity of priests of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, to the brothers and sisters, relatives and friends of Fr. Thomaiar. May the Lord grant them the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.

REQUIEM aeternam dona ei, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace.
Amen.

Fr. Arthur Charles
Asian Responsible

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