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.