Kerala churches demand govt to end persecution

Top churches in the state of Kerala yesterday demanded the government to end the persecution of the Christian community.

Leaders of six churches that include Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara, Latin Catholic, Orthodox, CSI and Marthoma, at a convention at Lourde Forona Church, Thiruvanthapuram, asked the Marxist govt to cease targeting the Church

The Christians signed a resolution, which alleged that government had been targeting the Christian faith and moral values through amendments to laws of governing higher education, curriculum reforms, and law reforms.

They also voiced their concern over the recent CD controversy, which contained scenes portraying church in a bad light.

" There has been a move in recent times against Christians by the state government in the education sector. A CD featuring a Bishop which portrays him in bad light was asked to be studied by students," Thiruvananthapuram Archbishop M Soosapakyam said, inaugurating the meeting.

In the resolution, the Christians asserted that the community has played an important role in the uplifting of the poor, the educational development and cultural contributions in the state. It will not tolerate any attempt to strangle minority rights, read the statement.

During the convention, the leaders also decided to vote for those who upheld constitutional principles which protected the rights of minorities in the elections.

Meanwhile, a Catholic diocese in Kochi has sparked a wave of protests after recommending a young Christian to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council sent a letter to Sonia Gandhi recommending that the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) president Hibi Eden should be fielded for the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat.

To this, Cardinal Varkey Vithayahil, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), said it was wrong for bishops, priests and Church leaders to intervene in the selection of candidates during the elections.

"The Catholic Church and Christian leaders should not intervene in party politics. Church can ask the people to vote for the right candidates, but should not involve in electioneering and selection of candidates for particular constituencies," Cardinal Vithayathil told reporters.