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children’s use”. 122 The CCBI document, with reference to the internet threat
to Indian Christian families, states: “There is the internet, which is a newer
reality affecting family life. There is wealth of knowledge on the internet
that is useful to any family, but there are also silent threats that hide
beneath... world web.... There is also the threat of pornography, ‘hate’
websites that encourage the use of violence against certain groups of people,
and other material that contradict what Pope John Paul II calls wholesome
recreation that fosters family values”. 123

4. Pastoral challenges: for better job and life situations,
members and families of the community, in large number, have migrated to
different parts of India and different parts of the world. When they take root
in the respective places, they find it difficult to have pastoral assistance in
their own language and liturgy, which leads to spiritual starvation, which, in
turn, makes it all the more difficult to maintain their rich family customs
and traditions. They also lack pastors from their community and their
tradition who can help them to maintain their unique traditions. The new
generation lacks proper knowledge about their Knānāya identity and age-old
traditions, which leads to disinterestedness. 124 They also find it difficult to
adapt to the new culture because they seem “strangers” in the new culture.
Parents and teachers are challenged to give them proper training in faith and
morals, together with the unique traditions and family values of their
community. If possible, ecclesiastical authorities follow the people with
pastors from the community.

5. Care for the aged generation: The act of children leaving the
native place for a better job sometimes leads to the isolation of the aged
ones. Homes for these aged parents and day care centres may be a pastoral
need in the future. 125

6. Less active participation of women: Though the women in the
community are very active in the home affairs and formation of the children,
they are not that active in the leadership level. They need to be encouraged

122
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATION, Ethics in Internet &
Church and Internet, Pauline Publication, Bombay, 2002, p.22.
123
CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF INDIA, “Challenges to The Family
Apostolate”, in Report of the Seventeenth Plenary Assembly of CCBI, Bangalore, 4-8,
March, 2005, p. 102.
124 Cf. LINEAMENTA OF EPARCHIAL ASSEMBLY OF THE DIOCESE OF KOTTAYAM
SEPTEMBER 11-15, 2000, Christian Witness of Knānāya Community (Malayalam),
Kottayam, 10 March, 2000, p.39.
125
Cf. Ibid., p.40.

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