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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bishops' Council expresses concern over increasing persecution of minorities
Kochi, Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council has expressed deep concern over the increasing persecution of Christian minorities in various parts of the country. Bishops' Council expresses concern over increasing persecution of minorities In a statement on Wednesday, KCBC reiterated its solidarity with the nuns and "brothers" who had been unjustly imprisoned in Chhattisgarh. "It is appalling that the unjustifiable case registered against them is still pending before the court, though they had been released on bail. The case should be withdrawn and all the constitutional rights given to them should be fully restored," the statement said. At the time of this crisis, the great solidarity of the Kerala Church, the Christian community and all the people with good will was evident, it noted. The KCBC also registered its protest against the state government order dated July 31, regarding the appointment of differently-abled candidates in aided schools in a 'discriminatory manner.' The Council said that in a judgment relating to a plea from Nair Service Society , the Supreme Court had ruled that if vacancies have been legally reserved for candidates belonging to the differently-abled category in aided schools, other appointments should be approved and regularised. The government had issued a favourable order accordingly. In the SC judgment, it was clarified that the verdict can also be implemented by societies of similar nature. As per the SC order, the Consortium of Catholic Managements approached the High Court on behalf of the KCBC Commission for Education, and obtained a favourable order that the application of the Catholic managements would be considered in the light of the SC judgment relating to NSS. However, the government's July 31 order implementing this judgment states that the SC verdict is applicable only to the NSS and that a separate court order is required to implement it in other managements, the statement said. "The order issued by the government in the case of Catholic managements is discriminatory and a violation of equal justice," it said. The KCBC said the government's negative stance is causing financial hardship to thousands of employees who have already been appointed, and causing unrest in families and the community. The statement also said the construction of 100 houses promised by KCBC as part of the rehabilitation of disaster-affected people at Vilangad in Kozhikode district is progressing rapidly. About 20 houses have already been completed and all the houses will be completed by December this year, it said. The KCBC meeting also decided to celebrate the ongoing 'Jubilee of Hope' of the Universal Church on a grand scale at the Kerala Church level on December 13 at the Muringoor Divine Meditation Centre, the release from the KCBC spokesperson Fr Thomas Tharayil said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Bishops Council expresses concern over increasing persecution of minorities
Last Updated: Kochi, Aug 6 (PTI) Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) has expressed deep concern over the increasing persecution of Christian minorities in various parts of the country. In a statement on Wednesday, KCBC reiterated its solidarity with the nuns and 'brothers" who had been unjustly imprisoned in Chhattisgarh. 'It is appalling that the unjustifiable case registered against them is still pending before the court, though they had been released on bail. The case should be withdrawn and all the constitutional rights given to them should be fully restored," the statement said. At the time of this crisis, the great solidarity of the Kerala Church, the Christian community and all the people with good will was evident, it noted. The KCBC also registered its protest against the state government order dated July 31, regarding the appointment of differently-abled candidates in aided schools in a 'discriminatory manner.' The Council said that in a judgment relating to a plea from Nair Service Society (NSS), the Supreme Court had ruled that if vacancies have been legally reserved for candidates belonging to the differently-abled category in aided schools, other appointments should be approved and regularised. The government had issued a favourable order accordingly. In the SC judgment, it was clarified that the verdict can also be implemented by societies of similar nature. As per the SC order, the Consortium of Catholic Managements approached the High Court on behalf of the KCBC Commission for Education, and obtained a favourable order that the application of the Catholic managements would be considered in the light of the SC judgment relating to NSS. However, the government's July 31 order implementing this judgment states that the SC verdict is applicable only to the NSS and that a separate court order is required to implement it in other managements, the statement said. 'The order issued by the government in the case of Catholic managements is discriminatory and a violation of equal justice," it said. The KCBC said the government's negative stance is causing financial hardship to thousands of employees who have already been appointed, and causing unrest in families and the community. The statement also said the construction of 100 houses promised by KCBC as part of the rehabilitation of disaster-affected people at Vilangad in Kozhikode district is progressing rapidly. About 20 houses have already been completed and all the houses will be completed by December this year, it said. The KCBC meeting also decided to celebrate the ongoing 'Jubilee of Hope' of the Universal Church on a grand scale at the Kerala Church level on December 13 at the Muringoor Divine Meditation Centre, the release from the KCBC spokesperson Fr Thomas Tharayil said. PTI MVG MVG KH view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 18:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- The Hindu
Catholic priest issues guidelines for nuns in North India to avoid hate attacks
With attacks on Christians escalating in North India, a senior Catholic priest with 25 years of experience in the region has issued precautionary guidelines to help nuns avoid becoming targets of religious extremists. The Catholic Church has welcomed the advisory issued by Fr. Suresh Mathew, former editor of Indian Currents and a priest based in Punjab. The advisory follows the arrest of two Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) nuns at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh on July 26 over allegations of human trafficking and religious conversion. According to Church sources, several congregations are planning to adopt the measures. The advisory urges nuns to avoid travelling with young girls alone and suggests that congregations fund the travel of the girls' parents instead. It also recommends rethinking religious attire while in public, advising nuns to adopt secular clothing similar to bishops and priests who often dress in plainclothes while travelling. 'This could help reduce unwanted attention and ensure safety,' the guideline states. Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) official spokesperson Fr. Thomas Tharayil said that the Church has not yet issued any official guidelines for missionaries. 'But the Church welcomes the precautionary guidelines. It is a sensible decision. Many religious congregations have already adopted such measures. Nuns of some congregations have opted for saris in public places to avoid unwanted attention. Such decisions are sensible ones,' said Fr. Tharayil. Church insiders note that wearing religious garb on public transport has increasingly drawn suspicion, leading to harassment and even detention. 'The situation calls for practical steps to avoid confrontations,' said a source. Fr. Suresh Mathew said: 'Though we have the right to wear our religious dress, the atmosphere of hatred towards minorities in North India demands prudence in the face of growing threats.' Responding to the precautionary guidelines circulated unofficially in the Christian circles, Fr. Jose Vallikkatt, a Catholic priest based in Bathinda, said that 'Catholic missionaries are forced to issue such advisories which is a clear sign of the pathetic condition of the country we are living. Wearing religious symbols is not a banned act in the country. People concerned issue such advisory for the sake of saving the lives of their fellow missionaries in North India. However, what is pertinent is bishops and other leaders take legal and political initiatives to safeguard religious rights of all minorities. Missionaries should be protected from fundamentalist and communal hooligans.' 'The priests are already wearing normal dress in public places. Nuns can choose to do the same. But wearing any type of dress is ultimately a choice for the person. The forcible change in dress code shows the actual situation in the country,' said the source.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Priests stage hunger strike demanding tetrapod sea wall to protect Kannamaly-Fort Kochi coastline
Priests under the Alappuzha and Kochi dioceses staged a hunger strike near the BOT Bridge at Thoppumpady on Friday demanding that the government allocate funds to construct a tetrapod sea wall to protect the Puthenthodu (in Kannamaly)-Fort Kochi coastline where sea incursion has become common. This comes in the wake of damage to houses due to rampant sea incursion in the region and also the perilous life that residents there lead. The agitation that began at 10 a.m. concluded by 5 p.m. The priests demanded urgent allocation of funds and steps to construct a sea wall in the corridor on a war footing, taking into account the grave threat to the life of residents. Hundreds of coastal residents and others participated in two rallies, one from Palluruthy and another from Thoppumpady, which was taken out on Friday evening to the venue of the hunger strike. The rallies were flagged off by secretary general of Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) Fr. Thomas Tharayil and State president of Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) Sherry J. Thomas. Director of Kripasanam Fr. V.P. Joseph Valiyaveetil inaugurated a rally that was taken out by the agitating priests from Thoppumpady to the venue of the fast in the morning. The hunger strike and other agitations are being mainly led by the Kannamaly-based Care Chellanam-Kochi, an NGO. The rampant sea incursion and the subsequent inundation of houses and other buildings began following the destruction of a sea wall that had been built there, following the Okhi Cyclone in 2017. A slew of agitations followed, and the government allotted ₹340 crore to build a 12-km-long sea wall northward from the Chellanam fishing harbour. But the sea wall was built only on a 7.35-km stretch, leaving the rest of the stretch all the way up to Fort Kochi vulnerable to sea incursion. The net result was that people were even unable to sleep in peace, the NGO said in a release. With the government not taking steps to build rest of the sea wall as had been promised, the Alappuzha and Kochi dioceses decided to mobilise the affected coastal residents and intensify their agitation, beginning with the hunger strike. Friday's fast was inaugurated by Joseph Jude, vice president of Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC). Socio-political leaders and people from different walks of life addressed the agitating priests. The valedictory of the agitation was inaugurated by Bishop of Kottapuram Ambrose Puthenveetil.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KCBC condemns terror attack, calls it threat to national security
Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) here on Wednesday (April 23) said the terror attack in Pahalgam has shocked the conscience of the world and posed a serious challenge to religious amity, humanity, and national security. The council stated that these acts should be fought by the nation as one. 'The terror attack and killing of people based on religious affiliation is a diabolical attack on amity treasured by the global human community,' the statement from the KCBC said. The government machinery should be prepared to act firmly and maintain constant vigilance against forces that create religious divisions, both within and outside the country. Council spokesman Father Thomas Tharayil said that social and religious leadership must also come forward to maintain peace in the face of increasing religious discord. The Syro-Malabar Church too condemned the attack. 'Extremism and acts of terror are great challenges to humanity, and acts of terror, which threaten national security, should be wiped out. These acts of terror question the basic tenets of humanity, destroy peace and peaceful coexistence among people,' said a statement issued by the Syro-Malabar Church. The official spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Church said that those responsible for the terror attack should be given exemplary punishment. The Church spokesman assured prayers for the repose of those who died in the attack. 'These acts aim not only at creating an atmosphere of fear but also dividing society. Innocent people are being targeted, hampering the progress of humanity. Cooperation among countries, strong laws and vigilance by the people are required to combat these incidents,' the spokesman added. The Catholicos of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Baselios Joseph described the terror attack as heart-rending and said it 'deserved to be condemned in the strongest terms.' 'Such acts that question the unity and integrity of the country cannot be justified under any circumstances,' he said in a statement. The statement added that Kashmir has been relatively peaceful of late, but now the terror attack is a cause for anxiety.
