Mathias Mundadan CMI in his book on Cardinal Parekattil, "Cardinal Parekattil: The Man, His vision, and His contribution" writes about the international fame of Cardinal Parekattil
"A book published in the United States of America on the eve of the conclave which was to elect the successor to Pope Paul VI bearing the title "The Inner Elite" gave a short accounts of all the cardinal electors. About cardinal Parekattil the book records a number of things which touch upon his personality and his vision in a succinct manner. It is to be noted with gratification that in the analysis of the book Cardinal Parekattil was placed sixth among the ten top ranking Cardinals. This is an index of the esteem the Cardinal commanded on international level." In this particular book mentioned his choice would be, "Parekattil was very much in favor of greater independence for national hierarchies. In special conclave, his choice of candidate would be greatly influenced by the individual's attitude to decentralization. He certainly would not favor a candidate who sought to retain rigid curial control of all Church activities."
This blog is created to spread the visions and teachings of late Cardinal Joseph Parekattil, the former Archbishop of Ernakulam Archdiocese and the first Cardinal of Kerala Catholic Church.This Year marks His birth Centenary (1912-2012).
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ReplyDeleteSpecifically, "Inner Elite" listed ten non-Italian Cardinals who have climbed the ladders in Church by their superior ability, hardworking, clear thinking, political sophistication, and without any political influence. It did not seem to me as a ranking, but still was the recognition of their brilliance. Only two of those Cardinals are living today. Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns, who is very well known in Latin America is one. The second is none other than our Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Cardinal Parecattil of Ernakulam was listed just before Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Munich. We can also assume that the American journalist, Gary MacEoin, who was the author of "Inner Elite" and a specialized reporter for Third World, had a higher regard for the Kerala Cardinal than the Goan Cardinal, Valerian Gracias, who too was no less an 'elite'. Gary MacEoin also mentions Cardinal Parecattil as the only Indian Bishop who boldly continued the cultural adaptations initiated by Holy See, while all other Indian Bishops were put down when Cardinal James Knox assumed as the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship to discourage the Indian adaptations. That was something that made the Cardinal being admired by many, as well as being criticized by others.
ReplyDelete- I belong to the generation that knows Cardinal Parecattil only by the memories of past generation and from his works, knowing the fact that it will never be perfect to reconstruct a person from books and second hand memoirs.