Church looks to Asia for saints

When an ordinary nun, little known outside her village in Kerala, is elevated to the pantheon of Christian saints by the Vatican, it is a sign of change. 

The Syro Malabar Church, which claims its origins go back to St Thomas sees the recognition as long overdue.

When the little convent in Bharananganam, where Sister Alphonsa lived and died, is all set to hog global attention as home to India’s only saint (Gonsalo Garcia, the Fransiscan lay brother from Bassein, near Mumbai, was canonised in 1862, was Portuguese), the Vatican definitely wants to send out a message or two. Syro-Malabar Church spokesman Fr Paul Thelakkatt said: “The conferment of sainthood on the Blessed Alphonsa sends  out strong messages.

One is that even an insignificant person, who was never known outside her convent when she was alive, can rise as a role model through a life of righteousness, dedication and suffering. The church is breaking the mould of Euro-centrism. It’s embracing Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Two persons from India - Mother Teresa and Fr Chavara Kuriakose Elias - are in line for possible sainthood as the Church awaits miracles that can be attributed to them. “The  focus of the church has shifted beyond Europe.

Latin America has the largest number of believers. African and Asian thoughts have found a place in the Church thought,” Fr Thelakkatt said.