PATHANAMTHITTA : Former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said on Thursday the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church was unique in supporting the fight against denial of democratic rights during the Emergency.
Inaugurating the birth centenary celebrations of Valiya Metropolitan Philipose Mar Chrysostom at Dr Alexander Metropolitan Hall in Tiruvalla, Advani said the Mar Thoma Church was rare in the country in extending support to the leaders who were jailed while fighting against the denial of basic democratic rights and principles enshrined in the Constitution.
As an indigenous Church, Mar Thoma Church came out as a role model in society in the protection of democratic principles and institutions, he said. The senior BJP leader lauded the contributions of the Mar Thoma Church in the uplift of the poor and the marginalised. The church has been impartial and without any discrimination on the basis of caste or religion in extending assistance to the needy, said Advani.
He complemented Mar Chrysostom in serving the people during the 65 years of Episcopal days above partisan and narrow frame of mind.
Delivering the presidential address, Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan said the Valiya Metropolitan should be considered the human face of God. He highlighted the contributions of Mar Chrysostom to the faithful and the society as whole for the overall improvement in life.
Joseph Mar Thoma launched the birth centenary projects at the function. Mar Chrysostom made a name for the spiritual enlightenment of the people through discourses and leading a model of life for others, the Metropolitan said.
Representative of the Patriarch and Beirut Archbishop Daniel Mor Cleemis, Cardinal Baselios Mor Cleemis Catholicos, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien and Tamil Nadu deputy secretary ( Home) Sreya Job offered felicitations.
Lay trustee Prakash P Thomas presented the memento. Chief Postmaster General of Kerala Circle Anjali Anand released the special postal cover on Mar Chrysostom. Philipose Mar Chrysostom stressed the need for leading a life as a human being. “People should understand the sufferings of the neighbours and extend a helping hand to the underprivileged,” he said.
Senior vicar general Rev Cherian Thomas welcomed the gathering and clergy trustee Rev Lal Cherian proposed the vote of thanks.