PATHANAMTHITTA: Nilackal Ecumenical Trust chairman and Major Archbishop Joseph Mar Powathil has cautioned against the growing threat from divisive forces which could have farreaching repercussions in the states and the country.
Delivering the presidential address at the silver jubilee celebrations of Nilackal St Thomas Ecumenical Church on Sunday, Mar Powathil said the divisive forces, based on social, political or cultural factors, were posing a challenge to the existence of society and the country as a whole.
He said the disruptive forces could have a cascading effect on society, especially in the economic, social and cultural fields.
Powathil recalled the agitation over the Nilackal controversy and the peaceful end to the issue with the establishment of the Nilackal Ecumenical Church.
The Archbishop called upon the faithful to cherish the memory of the peaceful coexistence of people belonging to all sections of society.
Inaugurating the silver jubilee celebrations, former Union Minister and chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Resources Development Oscar Fernandes said that Nilackal Ecumenical Church was unique and a model for all.
He said that the state was a model for the country in all aspects, including culture, education, development and upbringing of the new generation.
Supreme head of Mar Thoma Church Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Archbishop of Malankara Catholic Church Baselios Mar Clemis Catholicos, Kuriakose Mar Severios, Mar Mathew Arackal, president of Tiruvalla Sree Ramakrishna Ashram Swami Golokalanda and director of international affairs, World Council of Churches, Geneva, Mathew George delivered benedictory addresses.
Joshua Mar Nikodimos, Geevarghese Mar Barnabas, MPs P J Kurian and Anto Antony, Raju Abraham MLA, panchayat president P V Varghese and panchayat member Radhamma Karunakaran offered felicitations.