Total parishes: 1,238
Overseas parishes: 137
Parishes outside Kerala, within India: 335
Preferred countries of young Marthomites
Europe: UK, Ireland, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France
Nordic: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Eastern Europe,
Mediterranean: Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Malta, Cyprus, Greece
THE future of Christianity in Kerala would be bleak if over seas migration of members of the community continues at the current pace, according to a study by the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
"Out of 100 Mar Thoma households, 59 have migrant members," says the study pub- lished as a book titled 'Migra- tion of Marthomites and min- istry to the Mar Thoma diaspora' recently.
Second or third generations of those migrating to other countries become foreign citi- zens and prefer not to return to their native land or maintain ties with Kerala, says the book. Quoting eminent demographer KC Zachariah, the book reveals that Marthomites migrated the most among all communities in Kerala. The book discusses sev- eral aspects of migration from the community's point of view, including new trends and ways to boost pastoral service to the diaspora.
Christian Churches that once encouraged migration as a way for economic prosperity arenow regretting the massive ex- odus, it says. "Christian com- munities, including Marthom- ites, are dwindling in numbers. If the trend continues, the fu- ture of the Christian commu- nity and the Church in Kerala can potentially become bleak as it would have fewer young people and more aged and un- employed people as its mem- bers in local congregations," it says.
