Kerala church initiates medical schemes to restore the faithful

In a bid to combat its diminishing number of faithful in southern state of Kerala, the Catholic Church there has initiated measures, including some medical schemes that can restore its lost numbers - mainly among the youths.

Apparently worried by its dwindling population, the Catholic Church proposed some medical schemes, one being the reversal of tubectomy among women in church-run hospitals. Additionally, it will also provide remedial support for infertile couples and educational incentives for fourth child in the family.

In the last two national censuses, taken in 1991 and 2001, the Christian community in Kerala shrank slightly in terms of population percentage. According to the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council, the Christian population in Kerala has fallen from 24% to 19% in the last 50 years.

Some of the reasons for the decline are attributed to young parents opting for small families and the educated and economically better off, migrating to abroad countries and choosing to have one child to ensure social security.

Attempting to restore its lost flock, the Bishops' Council says it will "extend support to women who want to undergo reversal of tubectomy or recanalisation." Fr Jose Kottayil, secretary to Kerala Catholic Bishops Council's (KCBC) Commission for Family, says church "will work out cost-effective packages in this regard."

The campaign, says Fr Kottayil, has already shown some positive signs. Many have come forward for recanalisation, he said, adding "we want to bring down the cost below from Rs 40,000 to Rs 10,000 in church-run hospitals."

A doctor at a Catholic hospital in Kerala concurs. "We are getting a good response for recanalisation. The pro-life movement of the Catholic Church has prompted a section of the women to undergo the reversal process," the nun-cum-gynaecologist was quoted by the Indian Express as saying.

Earlier in 2006 the Catholic Church had issued a pastoral letter exhorting the faithful to have more children, and also last year the Bishops opposed a state family planning bill that would penalize families for having a third child.

Coming strongly against the bill, Fr Althara, spokesperson of KCBC, then said, the church in Kerala would launch aggressive pro–life campaigns through its family apostolate in every diocese.

"The church would take care of the education and health–care needs of children from economically backward families, if they are willing to have more babies," he added.

According to the proposed bill, families having a third child will be fined 10,000 Rs ($240). In addition, families will also be denied free education and treatment in government hospitals. The legislation even recommends punishing those calling for more children in the name of religion or caste.