Issues baffling the church will influence its political stand: Kerala Bishops

The issues baffling the church will influence its political stand in the upcoming assembly elections, said the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC).

"The stand of the Church will be announced at the appropriate time. The issues faced by the Church in various sectors have been discussed at the KCBC meeting," Fr Stephen Alathara, KCBC spokesperson, said.

The KCBC, he said, will not to issue pastoral letters with political motive and would rather follow the guidelines issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).

"Since there are three individual churches in the Catholic Church in the country, the KCBC has decided that it would be engaged only in general activities of the Catholic Church. The bishops also discussed the suggestion to be submitted for the reconstitution of the CBCI. The suggestions will be submitted to the CBCI soon," Fr Alathara said.

On the controversial questionable proposals of the Law Reforms Commission, he affirmed, "The Church cannot accept the proposals regarding mercy killing, suicide, formation of trust for control and monitoring of church assent, Christian Marriage Act, Christian Adoption Act etc."

The CBCI last week in a statement urged citizens to vote for a party that would protect and promote secularism and the democratic commitment as described in the constitution.

"They should select and promote candidates without any criminal record or background and having the genuine concerns of youth, women and particularly of the poor and marginalized at heart," an appeal said.

The Election Commission meanwhile on Monday announced the dates of the Lok Sabha polls. The representatives will be elected in five phases between April 16 and May. The counting will be held on May 16.