THE MALANKARA CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION (MCA)

The Malankara Catholic Association (MCA) is an organisation of the adult lay members of the Malankara Catholic Church. This association has been organised in its present form by the guidance and blessings of His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios, the late Archbishop-Catholicos of the Church. The association aimed at uniting all the members of the Malankara Catholic Church.

The lay apostolate, which is the ultimate aim of MCA traces its origin from Mar Ivanios. Realizing that God's mission could not be spread and practiced by the priests and sisters alone the farsighted Most Rev. Mar Ivanios Metropolitan started an organization called The Malankara Syrian Catholic Congress. This organization helped the growth of the reunion movement.

At the anniversary meeting of the reunion movement, His grace the Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Mar Baselios put forward the idea of a "Malankara Catholic Association on 20th September 1989 at Niranam. It has created a great momentum in the Church.

His grace the Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Mar Baselios Metropolitan appointed an adhoc committee in 1996. Their main aim was to make a constitution and to conduct a membership campaign at the parish, district and diocese levels. Accordingly, a committee came into effect under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Varghese Mavelil as spiritual advisor and Varghese Karippayil as president. The Constitution was approved in 1999.

The aims of the Malankara Catholic Association are to help the believers for a development based on Christian principles, and to safeguard and strengthen the interests of the church and the society through this development. MCA is engaged in the roll round development of the members of the Malankara Catholic Church.

The MCA activities are spread over four spheres: Spiritual, Intellectual, Educational and Social. The regular meetings and programs conducted in the unit level help the organization to grow spiritually and intellectually. They are occasions for prayers and for discussions on different themes. One area where the MCA has to work actively is the area of social work. The growth of the MCA will help in safeguarding the interests of the Catholic society to become powerful force.

At present MCA is organized in Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvalla, Bathery, Moovattupuzha and Marthandom Dioceses. The organization and activities MCA is in progress in the extra territorial mission station including oversees. The active leadership of MCA and the different programs organized under is banner started giving a new face to its presence in the society. All the members of Malankara Catholic Church are expected to take part whole heartedly in the activities of MCA for fulfilling its aims and strengthen the church.

In the Diocese of Bathery, the MCA was officially formulated in 1998 itself.   Rev. Fr. Chacko Narimattathil was appointed as the first Spiritual Advisor of the Association.  Mr. C. P. Thomas and Mr. T. P. Elias were elected as the first president and Secretary respectively.  

At present the MCA units are functioning well in almost all the parishes of the diocese.  The avowed intention of the MCA is to foster a community of believers who are deep rooted in Christian beliefs.  The MCA not only works for the spiritual growth of its members but also for the integral growth and wellbeing of the society.  Thus the MCA moves forward with much enthusiasm and with a handful of creative programmes.