Report of the Public Affairs Committee,Aug.17,17

                                    Report of the Public Affairs Committee Meeting

                                                           Aug.17,17

A meeting of the Public Affairs Committee meeting was held on Aug.17, 17 at Mt. St. Thomas ,Kakkanad from 10a.m-1pm .Nineteen members were present at the meeting .It was inaugurated by the Major Archbishop.

Adv.Francis Mangalath,Dr.Kurias Kumbalakushy ,Adv.Jogy Chirayil and  Sri Sabu Jose gave short presentations on different topics regarding  the  present socio-political situation of the country. In his introductory observations, the Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry touched on the fast changing events in the country and pointed out the need for the Church to be open to all the issues affecting the Church and the country and to develop enough flexibility to respond to fast evolving situations.

Adv.Francis Mangalath gave a short overview of the political situation of the country and pointed out the slow but firm tightening of the grip of the RSS on the social, political and academic life of the country. He also observed that the country is moving towards a fascist approach. Dr. Kurias Kumbalakuzhy observed that the secular mind of the country is very strong and that people won’t tolerate the abolition of this open secular spirit of the country. Adv. Jogy Chirayil mentioned the existence of a strong anti-Christian bent on the part of  some of the  anchors of some TV channels even when  they portray themselves as impartial. In the social media too, there are people who exploit the media to give vent to their virulent anti-Christian views. Sri Sabu Jose emphasized the need for the Church to pay more attention to the marginalized sections of the society, especially to the poor, the sick, the  terminally ill , transgenders and  tribal communities.

The participants offered their observations and remedial measures in order that the Church may function more effectively by responding effectively to the fast changing events in the country. Sri P.C.Cyriac highlighted the need for the community to develop new agriculture policies by moving away from the emphasis given to rubber plantations and coconut farms. It was also pointed out by many participants that the Church should stick to its core value systems and should not be showing signs of wavering (Dr.Neena Joseph,Prof.Aniyankunju, Dr.Giji Koottummel,Prof.Francis K.M.,Sri M.M.Antony and Mr K.V.Thomas also emphasized this point ).

 A few  expressed the need to take  a firm political stand(Sri E.Lazar,Sri Biju Parayannilam etc) with regard to the issues facing the Church. Similarly it was pointed out that our institutions should hold fast to our value systems and never should dilute them. Our people should be made more aware of the values that we uphold. We should also develop a group of people who are intellectually alert to respond to attacks against the Church (Fr.M.Chandrankunnel,Sri  V.V.Augustine, Fr.Geo Kadavil, Fr.Scaria Urumpil) and should be capable of  showing  the hollowness of the arguments raised against the Church.

Fr.George Madathiparampil thanked all for their presence as well as for their active participation. He also thanked the Cardinal for being present throughout the meeting, offering clarifications and relevant observations.