Here rests a Mahatma

" Never condemn the young people; they will rise up and build". Here rests a great soul (Mahatma) in the form of Br. Roger, who always said like this. This is just in front of the ancient Roman Church in Taize, where the Community was founded 74 years ago.  With immense faith in the young, he traversed the globe, to conquer their minds and hearts. From Chile to Chittagong, Barcelona to Calcutta, he journeyed with ease, leading intercontinental teams of young people, and writing letters to the people of God.

On some evenings he used to call us youngsters for parleys in front of the residence of brothers in Taize Community. He encouraged us to ask all types of questions. On an occasion in 1980, I remember asking like this:

"Why can't we broaden the base of the Community so as to include all people from all religions?".
I had my interfaith inclinations even from younger days. He sat pensive for a while and then came the reply:

"We have done this much; you (youngsters) do the rest". That was like a command for me, personally. That strengthened my commitment.

The body vanishes, but the soul's sojourn never ends. Br. Roger is a fountain of inspiration for thousands of pilgrims like myself today  in this world of darkness and light.

Abraham Karickam

Pilgrimage of Trust

This is a usual sight in Taize in summer. Thousands of young people come to live and share the community life. They want to be effective links in the chain of the pilgrimage of Trust. We can see a long line of buses like this, bringing people from all over Europe. They live in tents and barracks all over the village. Large number of adults and children also come. What are the factors that attract them?

1. They proclaim to the world  that they want peace and reconciliation ( two key words dear to Taize).

2. They want to learn ways of simple living ( brothers of the Community don't accept any donation for their sustenance. They have their own income generating projects like farming, book stall, pottery etc.) . They don't bring even their inheritance. In the midst of plenty, they show example of   Very simple living.

3. The prayer in the chapel of reconciliation (three times a day) is an exciting experience. (There are no sermons). The songs and chantings go deep into our hearts.

4. They subscribe to the vision of Br. Roger - build a world without war and misery; accept every one as a child of God.


One week in Taize turn to be an unforgettable experience for one and all.

Abraham Karickam

Taize Photos

                     With Br. Thomas of Taize

There will be many who shape our life. Br. Thomas is one of the early band of colleagues who joined Fr. Roger when he founded the Community. He hails from Scotland and it is because of his guidance and care that I got involved deeply in the life of this Community, even from my younger days. He became my Guru and his deep insights propelled me to the world of universal solidarity and to new avenues of struggle and contemplation.

Br. Thomas played a key role in the growth of Taize. Mother Theresa was so much drawn to this community and invited an inter-continental team to Calcutta in 1976. It was Br. Thomas who asked me to join this group and we stayed with Br. Roger and experienced real slum life. "Second Letter to the People of God" was written here during our daily reflections, after work during day time in the slums and destitute homes of the Missionaries of Charity. We had the privilege of interacting with Mother Theresa on some rare evenings and for many of us youngsters it was a bolt from the blue. The willingness of Fr. Roger to live among the poor people in the streets of Calcutta, revolutionised our thinking. Br. Thomas, Br. Ghislein and many others were leading from the front.

It is four decades since I first arrived on the hills of Taize and it is with trembling heart that I stand before the tomb of that great visionary, Br. Roger. My consolation is that Br. Thomas and many stalwarts are steering the Movement forward, with Br. Alois  at the helm.

One more beautiful summer in Taize and I am refreshed and relaxed. Our world today is a better place to live because of many like Br. Roger and Mother Theresa who reduced themselves to zero so as to help others grow in fullness.

Abraham Karickam

                                 Br. Roger of Taize

2015 will be very special to Taize. It will be the 75th year of the founding of the community, 10th death anniversary of Br. Roger and 100th year of his birth. A visionary non-pereil, Br. Roger founded the Ecumenical Community when the trumpets of World War II were sounding large in Europe. Ever since, it has become refuge for millions of young people from around the world, who thirst for peace. Br. Alois is leading this pilgrimage today, with the support of a vibrant band of brothers and sisters to support him. The "Pilgrimage of Trust" continues. The brothers of Taize want the Community to be a place of Trust, a safe abode for those who come to seek inner peace.

Abraham Karickam

When the Bells Ring in Taize

When the Bells Ring in Taize

It was in 1975, when I was a student that I first visited Taize Community in France. Ever since, it has become my second home. Brother Roger, it's founder is in the Celestial Community today, his spirit still leads the organisation, which is flourishing well. I am here with my wife Susan and my son Aby. It is their first visit.

Pope John XXIII once said: "Ah ...Taize, that little spring". I wrote a book on Taize long time back and it was sold out quickly. Taize had a big role in shaping my philosophy of universal oneness. I travelled to different parts of the world with Br. Roger and others. Incidentally, my first visit to United States in 1980 was from Taize and we had a series of meetings in the U.S and Canada.

Br. Roger was awarded the Templeton Prize in recognition of his selfless services and it was only one of the many. 

These bells invite every visitor (thousands in summer) to the large Church, which is at the centre of the village. Taize songs and prayers are very special. It is an unforgettable experience, and no wonder, Taize has become a centre of pilgrimage, dear to all.

Congrats to Prof.John Kurakkar,our newly elected Global Council Trustee from Asia Region

Congrats to Prof.John Kurakkar,our newly elected Global Council Trustee from Asia Region 

Our newly elected Global Council Trustees

Our newly elected Global Council Trustees

The following are the newly-elected members of URI’s Global Council from Asia

Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam (Muslim, Bangladesh)

A professor at the University of Dhaka, Dr. Islam worked with different religious scholars to establish the Warm Heart Association – dedicated to promoting inter-religious harmony.  He later established the Department of World Religions and Culture, before leaving his country to study Judaism as a Fullbright Senior Fellow.  Upon his return from the USA, he founded and now directs a Dialogue Center at Dhaka University, funded by the Bangladesh government. This is Dr. Islam’s first term as a Global Council Trustee.

“As long as I remain alive, I want to do my best to remove inter-religious hatred and enmity in order to keep my commitment [I made to my dearly departed] father.” (Dr. Islam)

Dr. Ravindra W. Kandage (Buddhist, Sri Lanka)

Dr. Kandage was a founding member of URI, and serves as the Executive Director of Sarvodaya Shanthisena Movement, a nationwide Sri Lankan network.  Having trained under the tutelage of the Apostle of Peace, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne of the Sarvodaya Movement, he and his organization are committed to the ideals of peaceful coexistence and offer full support of interfaith initiatives. Dr. Kandage returns as a Global Council Trustee for another term.

“Having been directly involved in prewar and post war reconciliation processes, I tell you here and now that URI has provided me a greater impetus to bring forth religious and ethnic groups through interfaith activities.” (Dr. Kandage)

Professor John Kurakar (Christian, India)

Professor Kurakar is a renowned teacher from the St. Gregorios College in Kottarakara, and an author of books related to literature, history and the environment.  He serves as the president of the Kerala Palliative Care Initiative and as the Chair of the URI South Asia region, as well as conducts an examination training center and publishing house in Kottarakara. This is his first term as a Global Council Trustee.

“I am proud to support Asia region through my contacts in different Asian countries.” (Professor Kurakar)

Youth Camp Photos

Minon Baby (Best Boy Actor in India) inaugurating URI South India Region Youth Camp- 2014 at 

Karickam International Public School (17 May, 2014)

New Executive Committee of URI Youth Movement in Kerala elected on 17th May

 Group workshop

 Our Youth Ambassadors

 Group discussion

Office bearers of URI Youth Movement in Kerala

 Budding artists who performed various items at the URI Youth Camp

 Group leaders who presented reports of 8 workshop groups at URI Youth camp

 Artist John Baby leading a session at URI Youth Camp- craft items with palm leaves

 Group discussion

 Group planning

 Participants of Youth Camp held at KIPS on 17 th May 2014

6th International Interfaith Conference on Holy Book

6th International Interfaith Conference on Holy Books

UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE, SOUTH INDIA-SRI LANKA REGION

KARICKAM.P.O, KOTTARAKKARA, KERALA, INDIA-691531

Dear friends,

The inter-textuality series of conferences on Holy Books was started
in 2005 under the joint auspices of Cosmic Community Centre, Karickam
and Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Centre for Dialogue, Kottarakkara. Eminent
scholars from different parts of the world attend this biennial
program. Four books have been published with all seminar papers so
far. Themes of the conferences before were-
1.      2005 – Intertextuality of the Holy Books
2.      2007 – One Word, Many Versions: a Re-reading of the Holy Books
3.      2009-- Holy Books and Violence
4.      2011-- Holy Books and People of Differing Faiths
5.      2013—Holy Books and Life After Life
The sixth conference in this series will be held on 31st January and
1st February, 2015 at the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning,
Colombo, Sri Lanka. This will be followed by URI Asia Assembly from
2nd to 3rd February at the Sarvodaya headquarters in Colombo. Please
note that this is UN Interfaith Harmony Week and our programs will be
part of this celebration, too.
The theme this year is “Holy Books and Eco Spirituality.” As usual, a
book will be published with all papers that are to be presented.
Articles shall  be received before 15th November, 2014, so as to be
included in the book.
Registration fees will be 1000 Indian rupees (2000 Sri Lankan rupees)
per day for one participant. Kindly send in your registration and
papers as early as possible. A trip to Kandy will also be arranged on
the 4th (expenses shared).

For details:
URI Office, Karickam.P.O, Kottarakkara, Kerala, India-691531
Tel: 91-474-2663903 , 91 94465 93013
E-mail: urikarickam12@gmail.com

                                                                Dr. Abraham Karickam
                                                                Dr. Ravi Kandage (coordinators)