I
have been the chief Election Officer of the Malankara Association 4 times since
1977.
1.
16th May 1977 at Kottayam to elect 5 Bishops .
2.
1st may 1980 at Kottayam to elect Catholicos Designate, Lay Trustee and
the formal election of the Managing Committee.
3.
28th Dec. 1982 at Thiruvalla to elect 5 Bishops. We were ready with all the
paraphernalia for the conduct of the election.12 were in the list. 7 of them
declined and hence the remaining 5 were declared elected.
4.
29th Dec. 1987 at Kottayam to elect one as Bishop and a Priest trustee. For the
Bishop post 10 were in the list.3 declined. Others contested. But none got the
required majority, Late Rev Fr. Mathai Nooranal got elected as priest trustee.
In
the next Association held at Pathanamthitta, I declined to participate as my
cousin H.G.Job Mar Philoxenos was a contender.
Our
Church is Episcopal. Yet our election of Church leaders is reasonably
democratic and scientific. I still agree that there are many more details
remain to be addressed to perfect the system.
But
to compare the selection of our Bishop or Catholicos to the election of the
President of USA or any politician is preposterous.
It
is the Malankara Metropolitan (and not the People in the Church), who is
selecting His Bishops, But He gives enough importance to the opinion of the
church members about each candidate, by asking at least 30 of them to nominate
any candidate.
He
also gives very great value to the opinion of experts committee, Managing
committee and the Synod who are all His advisors in this selection process.
The
main guide lines for the election of the Bishops and trustees were already
available. With the help of The Office Secretary Mr. O.A.Mathew we drew up
the sub rules and election orders on the basis of our experience over the years
and the brochure of the Parliament election. ( in which I had enough experience
since 1957) .I think this is being still followed ,though the latest Malankara
Association elected a person other than from the list recommended by the "Bava
in Synod and Managing Committee."
The
election of a Bishop is very much unlike that of a politician. A person who
claims and offers himself as being worthy to become a Bishop should not be
elected under any circumstance. This is not a post of profit or emoluments. It
is a "pattam Kettal "to be a servant of God and of the Church.
It is true that some are not able to live up to that ideal.
Hence
the system evolved out by 1977-1989 and existing in our Church (I Hope) at
present is ideal.
Any
30 or more members of the Malankara Association can present a request to
the Malankara Metrpolitan specifying that so and so is in their
opinion suitable to become a Bishop.
Then
the sub-committee of the working committee of our church request the nominated
candidate to give a detailed biodata in the proforma supplied from the
office. After receiving this bio data , the office will send out a 4 page
printed proforma to 100 to 150 persons who know the particular priest for
a fairly long period of time, with a printed note as to how to fill up
the pro-forma.
This
is a very confidential and detailed document.
On
getting them the committee objectively gives marks for each point of merit and
demerit of candidates to become a Bishop of our Church. Educational attainments,
spiritual life pattern, behaviour in the society, attitude towards church and
social issues, health, physical appearance etc, are all considered.
Then each candidate is evaluated and given marks
on the basis of the biodata and confidential report.
They are ranked on the basis of the total marks
attained by each of them.
It is this list that is
submitted by the Committee to Bava from 
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