“Personal opinions should not be misconstrued as the Church’s stance”

The Hindu Bureau

Thrissur:

Irinjalakuda Diocese Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookadan has stated that personal opinions should not be misunderstood as the official position of the Catholic Church. His remarks came in response to the recent statement by Thalassery Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, who had credited Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Central Government for the release of the nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh.

Archbishop Pamplany had expressed gratitude to Mr. Shah and the Central Government, claiming that their intervention had led to the nuns being granted bail. He said Justice was served, albeit belatedly. He also criticised the Chhattisgarh government, saying the Centre facilitated the bail despite the state’s stance.

Responding to this, Bishop Kannookadan said that the Church has a defined political outlook but does not align with any political party. “The official positions of the Church are to be conveyed by its leadership. Personal views expressed by individuals should not be misinterpreted as those of the Church,” he told the media here on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Irinjalakuda Diocese issued a strong statement criticising both the Central and Chhattisgarh governments over the arrest of the nuns. In a pastoral letter read during Sunday Mass in churches under the diocese, the Centre was criticised for its lack of intervention despite protests in and outside Parliament. The letter said the nuns, though granted bail, remained entangled in legal complications. It added that neither the Centre nor the Chhattisgarh government had taken steps to secure their release.

The diocese reiterated its intention to continue protests against what it described as an unjust and baseless arrest. “The bail granted is not a full relief, as it comes with stringent conditions. The chargesheet must be quashed and the case withdrawn,” Bishop Kannookadan said. He also called for legal action against the train TTE and members of organisations such as Bajrang Dal, who were allegedly involved in the incident. “The Centre must act against extremist groups,” he added.

As part of continued demonstrations, a large protest rally involving believers, was held in Chalakudy on Sunday evening.

End.mini