---
layout: default
title: "The Motives of Mar Ivanios for the Reunion with the Catholic Church"
permalink: /amaa/mar-ivanios-reunion-motives/
categories: [A. M. A. Ayrookuzhiel]
description: Overview of the 1966 paper presented at the Gregorian University on the motives of Mar Ivanios for reunion with the Catholic Church.
created: 2025-11-21
---

**The Motives of Mar Ivanios for the Reunion with the Catholic Church**, written by Rev. A. M. A. Ayrookuzhiel, is a paper presented in 1966 to the Institute of Spiritual Theology of the Gregorian University. It was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Diploma in Spiritual Science, under the direction of Rev. Fr. J. Masson for Bereme. The work examines the question of reunion as understood and articulated by Mar Ivanios, drawing together historical notes, theological points and spiritual reflections recorded in the study.

The paper brings together material on the circumstances surrounding the Reunion Movement, the foundation of the Bethany Ashram, and the reasons identified by the author under historical, theological and spiritual headings. It is not a book-length narrative but a structured academic submission reflecting the author's attempt to present the motives that, according to the study, guided Mar Ivanios toward reunion with the Catholic Church.

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## Chapters

The following chapter headings are taken exactly from the paper’s structure, as per the provided datapoints:

- **Introduction**

- **Chapter I. Historical Factors and Reasons that contribuited to the Reunion of Mar Ivanios**  
  - The sad plight and the spiritual stagnation of the Syro-Malankara Orthodox Church  
  - The Church of Malankara must restore its former communion with Rome  
  - Many of his glorious predecessors had tried to restore communion with Rome  
  - Mar Ivanios was authorised by the Holy Synod to open correspondence with Rome with a view to corporate Reunion  
  - The Attitude of the Holy See towards the Eastern Churches  

- **Chapter II. Foundation of the Bethany Ashram and the spiritual problem it posed**  
  - The historical circumstance  
  - Leaving for Serampur  
  - Life at Serampur: A Spiritual Voyage  
  - Educated clergy and laity  
  - His vision broadens: The urgent need is a missionary Society  
  - Not just a missionary Society but a religious Society of Missionaries  
  - Bethany poses spiritual problems  
  - "Perfection of humility and religious obedience were impossible of attainment"  
  - Need of fraternal communion with all the Christians in the world  
  - Conclusion  

- **Chapter III. Theological Motives for Reunion**  
  - Our Lord founded only one Church  
  - Unity of the Church is centralised in the authority of the Pope  
  - Jacobite Tradition proclaims the unity of the Church with the Pope as its head  

- **Chapter IV. Spiritual Motives for Reunion**  
  - "I felt that to remain in schism with her was a grave sin"  
  - Conclusion  
  - Guidance of God  

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