As a rule, I keep off from arguments for it is worth
nothing. I did not also participate in the discussion
of Clergy transfer. But this write as an exception to
my own rule.

It is true that there was discussion and tentative
consensus that clergy transfer is ok. But the assembly
did not take a concrete decision or it did not
authorised the Metropolitan to implement it. It is
still in the study stage.

It is not also practical to equate a diocese in
Malankara to American Diocese merely because of its
transitory nature and the wide area. For example, the
area of a diocese in Kerala is maximun 25 to 35 mile
radius. Here New York is about 4000 Miles far from San
Francisco and to transfer a clergy from this one area
to another involves complete termination of family
links, education of children, property issues, jobs,
and many others. Without finding a reasonable solution
to those problems the question of transfer will be an
Utopia, waste of time and useless effort. I did not
see any one coming up with a concrete proposal.

Some churches like Marthoma have already implemented
transfer scheme which means to those who are earnest
about it has less work now. Make an effort to study
and implement.

Personally I am surely in favor of transfer because I
do believe that all faithful all over the world are
one and the same for me and I have no particular
inclination to any one particular parish and before
ordination as a priest, I have already assured my
bishop, my readiness to go anywhere he posts me. I
also told him that it is his responsibility not only
as a fair administrator but also as a concerned
spiritual father to assure that my children should not
be exposed to starvation nor begging. Hope what I
meant is clear and do not require explanation.

Let me also share my experience not with any concealed
selfishness: My first posting as vicar was 150 Miles
away from my house. I received $250/- per month for
there was service only on alternate Sundays. After a
year the parish decided to have service on all Sundays
in the new location which was 160 Miles far from my
house,(one-way) the parish paid me $150/- per service.
The families were distributed over a span of minimum
25 to 95 Miles from parish. Most days there were
housevisits, for different reasons and I have never
received a single penny from anyone, not even a gift.
I was using my own car, vestments, praparing bread for
Holy eucharist, etc. These facts one can verify. I
served the parish five and half years. Now you decide
how tedious or rewarding it was and how much I could
depend on the parish income and on what basis transfer
is feasible.

Therefore be practical and put up a concrete program
instead of sitting before a computor and building
castles in the air. As I understand, some priests
already willingly accepted transfer in principle.

In todays posting there is an indirect allegation that
the bishops did not implement what the assembly
decided. Instead of publishing such a note the
interested persons should have worked with the bishops
to proceed, understanding and solving the huddles if
any fairly, thanks, Johnachen, Philadelphia.