Report of the Meeting of the Committee for Public Affairs,Dec.19,13

                    Report of the Meeting of the Committee for Public Affairs, Dec.19, 2013

The Committee for Public Affairs was constituted with a view to getting a wider and balanced opinion on “events that affect the interests of the Syro-Malabar Community /Church.”

The Episcopal members of the Committee are the following:  Mar Andrews Thazhath(Chairman),Mar Joseph Powathil, Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, Mar Mathew Arackal, Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Mar Jose Porunnedom and Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil.

The first meeting of this newly constituted Committee for the Public Affairs was held at Mt.St.Thomas, on Dec.19^th at 10a.m.The meeting was inaugurated by Mar Andrews Thazhath, the Chairman of the Committee.

In his inaugural address, the Archbishop praised the great work done by Mar Joseph Powathil, the previous President and by Fr.Philip Nelpuraparampil, the previous Secretary. The Archbishop also made a reference to the work that was done by the members of the previous committee in preparing four important documents on current social problems which are in the process of publication. He then asked the Committee to work as a Think Tank for the Synod of Bishops and elicited their views on various issues and problems that face the Church today.

He mentioned that the Catholic community is getting relegated in many areas where the Church had given very valuable contributions especially in the areas of education, agriculture and business. He observed that in the entertainment media the Christian symbols of faith are being denigrated. The community has not reacted strongly to such tendencies as it is very inclusive and tolerant.

Cardinal Mar George Alencherry in his Presidential Address invited the members to become more active by offering their thoughts for a new vision in the social, educational and cultural areas for the Church. He asked all the sections of the community to come together when the Church faces issues that challenge its role in the world. All the different organizations and forums of the Church have to act together in order to become the common voice of the Church. Responses to issues should be done in a spirit of unity. He thanked the participants for their willingness to share their time and talents for the Church.

The Major Archbishop also mentioned the steps he had taken at the highest level to resolve the problem that was caused by the decision of the Central Govt. to implement the Kasturi Rangan Report and offered his support for the resolution of the problem through negotiation and discussion with the Government, Central and State.

Mr.P.C.Cyriac who is at present a member of the State Commission to study the impact of the Kasturi Rangan Report spoke about the conflicts and tensions that have arisen in the State because of the conclusions of the Report.

Mr.Biju Paranilam presented a brief paper explaining the impact of the Kasturi Rangan Report on the farmers of the High Ranges areas and urged the community to be vigilant as well as to be very vocal in protesting against the harmful parts of the Report. Fr.Paul Thelekatt, Sr.Johnsy, Fr.Scaria Urumbil,  Prof.K.A.Francis  ,Dr.P.K.Abraham and  Fr.Mathew Chandrankunnel  intervened in the discussion afterwards pointing out the need to preserve communal harmony, to  seek  legal remedies, and to take care of the needs of the people while protecting the forests.

Abp.Mar Andrews Thazhath mentioned the weakness of the community in dealing with the negative propaganda unleashed against the Church in the media by various advocacy groups. He urged the participants to continue putting pressure on the Govt.

The afternoon session was devoted to the recent tendency in the entertainment media to denigrate Christian symbols and the discussion was chaired by Dr.Kurias Kumbalakuzhy. The discussion was based in part on a paper prepared by Mr.Tony Chittilappaly on the depiction of an antichristian bias in the new generation movies. Mr.Sabu Jose presented a paper in the light of the ideas presented by Tony.

Dr.Kurias in his observations mentioned the presence of a great drawback in the formation of the young people. The faith has not become very personal to them as it was to the older generation. The new generation of young Catholics is not capable of rejecting what is morally objectionable based on their faith. They have become more tolerant and inclusive because of a lack of strong religious convictions.

The participants wanted the Church to use the social media more effectively as it is there that the young people become more vitally present. It was demanded that experts in particular fields should be delegated when responses to the media are to be given. Msgr.Philip Najaralakatt, Fr.Chandrankunnel, Mr. Cyriac Chazhikatt,  and  Mr.P.C.Cyriac  intervened to propose to have a media school, to help the parents to be more prepared in offering values to children at home and also to hold an internal dialogue among various sections of the Church. Dr.Lalichan Kallampally suggested that it would be better to have a professional organization to observe and respond to various issues as they arise. Mr. P. C.  Cyriac   pointed out that some of the educational agencies of the Church are portrayed as very business-oriented.  He wanted the parishes to take up improvements of the infrastructure of the Govt. and Aided schools who have no financial means to improve their facilities, in their geographical boundaries which would definitely refurbish the image of the contribution of the Church in the field of education.

Mar Andrews Thazhath thanked the members for their participation and contributions and asked them to continue to share their views as a Think-Tank for the Church. His Grace further   told the Committee that the report of the meeting will be brought to the attention of all the Episcopal members of the Committee as well as to the Synod. A quarterly meeting of the Committee was also proposed.

 All the members got a chance to offer their views on the topics proposed for discussion at the meeting.

Fr. George  Madathiparampil

Secretary

Jan.2,14

Report of the Meeting held on June 10,14

Report of the Meeting of the Public Affairs Committee on June 10, 14

A meeting of the Public Affairs Committee was held on June 10 to make an evaluation of the Post-election events and to take a united stand in response to the new situation arising from the election.

Present: Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Mar Andrews Thazhath, the Chairman of the committee, Mar Joseph Powathil, Mar Mathew Moolakkatt and  Mar Joseph Kallarangatt.

The members of the Committee including a few invited guests, totaling 24 , were present.

Abp. Mar Andrews Thazhath in his Presidential address stressed the need to be vigilant in this post-election situation. The following were the main ideas he shared with the committee:

The new Govt. appears to be very people-friendly but the thrust of the policies of the new Govt. remains still unrevealed. As there is no majority for the ruling party in the Rajya Sabha, many of the hard line policies of the RSS/BJP may not come into effect in the near future. Whether this is a strategy or the real attitude of the Govt. remains to be seen. We have to think of suitable responses that the minorities should adopt in this situation. It is true that we are going backward in areas where we contributed immensely and significantly in the past: Education, health care and communication. We are being ignored by the State Govt. too. Even when a large of number of colleges under a University are run by the Catholics, there never is any attempt to include a representative of these colleges in the Syndicate of the University.

We have to thank of new strategies to be employed in the coming elections to the local bodies in our State.

The Major Archbishop in his observations analyzed the present political situation in the country and spoke about the anxiety prevalent in the minds of the people because of the Kasturi Rangan Reports. He asked the participants to feel free to share their opinions on the impact of the Kasturi Rangan reports as well as on  the strategies to be adopted in the new situation with a new Central Govt. at the helm.

Abp. Powathil stressed the need of observing constantly the political and social situation  and responding to them after studying the issues.

Fr.Vincent Kundukulam and Mr.P.C.Cyriac IAS were asked to speak on the Post-election scenario and the impact of the Kasturi Rangan reports.

Fr. Vincent  pointed out some of the hidden agenda in the political philosophy of RSS which would permeate the administration of  Prime Minister Modi like the Hinduization of the tribals, saffronization of education, silencing the voice of protests etc. Our strategy has to be devised taking into account of these factors.

Mr.P.C. Cyriac stressed the need to combine the issues of the people of the High Ranges with the problems faced by the fisher folks in the coastal regions, thus, taking a unified approach.

Fr. Sebastian Kochpura, P.I. Lazar and  Sri P.T.Kuriakose  intervened with the following suggestions:

1.To get the title deeds for people who were asking for them and to  stand united in these two demands(Fr.Kochupura)

2. A united effort on the part of the three rites(Lazar)

3.The Catholic community has to act in unity(P.T.Kuriakose).

Sri P.C.Cyriac, Mr.K.M.Francis, Mr. Sabu Jose( The need for a united voice), Mr.K.V.Thomas(there should be no division in our opinions),Fr. Jose Palakeel(We have to follow the principle of susbsidiarity), Fr.Kavil Purayidom(Permitting regional autonomy in the voicing of the issues) and Fr.Chandrankunnel(Local churches should be  acting under the direction of the Major Archbishop) have intervened in the discussions.

Major Archbishop pointed out that all the strategies that the local Churches are undertaking should be planned in consultation with the Public Affairs Committee.

Msgr.Philip Njaralakatt, mr.V.V.Augustine,Fr. James Mangalasserry and Mr.P.T.Kuriakose stressed the need to work in cooperation with the Hindu and Moslem communities. They also hinted at getting co-operation of the International community too in this matter.

Archbishop Powathil emphasized the need for continuing dialogues with all groups and communities but also about  stating our opinions on appropriate occasions. Discussions with other denominations have to be conducted.

Bishop Mar Kallarangatt reminded that the common teachings of the Church should never be weakened. Both Caesar and the Pope have their separate realms and that one should not trespass into the realm of the other. Contacts with other denominations have to be developed while taking care to strengthen the voice of the Major Archbishop.

Fr.Jomy Thottiyan pointed out the need to increase the use of the New Media in communicating  the views of the Church.

Abp. Mar Moolakkatt pointed out that the stand of the Church and that of the High Ranges Protection committee are the same. People of the High Ranges as well as of the Coastal areas have to be protected. People should not be left at the mercy of the Left Front for voicing their protests.

Summarizing the discussions, the Major Archbishop highlighted the need to cooperate with the KCBC committees in dealing with all issues. We have to be in contact with the Latin and Syro-Malanakara Churches.

We have to hold dialogues among ourselves through the Public Affairs Committee. All social issues should be discussed under the auspices of this committee. We have to move forward through discussions among ourselves.We have to remove the confusion in our community about the Kasturi Rangan reports. We have to start discussions with the State Government too in these matters.

After the prayers offered by the Major Archbishop, Fr. George Madathiparampil expressed the vote of thanks.