KOTTAYAM: The schism that has opened up between the BJP and the Catholic Church hierarchy in the aftermath of the tirade against the latter by party leaders P C George and his son Shone widened on Monday with the Pala bishop defending the Church’s right to take a political stand.
After George’s abusive remarks directed at Kanjirappally Bishop Mar Jose Pulickal and Shone’s scathing attack on Church-run Malayalam daily Deepika, the Church broke its silence through Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt who stressed that a tone of intimidation is unacceptable.
Addressing the faithful at the Jaigiri Christuraj Church in Thottuva, near Kuravilangad, Bishop Kallarangatt said those engaged in public activities should keep decorum in their speeches, without naming either George or Shone.
“It does not seem right for those working in the public sphere to speak disrespectfully against religious leaders. When expressing opinions, it is essential to respect the sentiments of believers.
One should not speak solely for the (news) channels. The voice of threat will not work. No one should try to instill fear,” Kallarangatt said.
In response to George’s accusation that the Kanjirappally bishop canvassed votes for the UDF, Bishop Kallarangatt asserted that bishops and priests could not always remain neutral.
“Always neutral means always irrelevant, which is not feasible. Don’t we have the right to seek votes publicly. Whom should we fear? We should present the truth courageously before the people. Religions always have a role to play in the public sphere. Religious faith has the right to inform and influence public debate,” he said.
The bishop also threw his weight behind Deepika, terming it a newspaper that tells the truth. Meanwhile, in an attempt to reconcile with the Church leadership, Shone supported the bishop’s statements.
“I fully endorse the bishop’s decision that the Church should not conceal its position, but rather articulate them openly. The bishop’s assertion that when the Church openly expresses its positions, the previous actions of each political party will be exposed, are extremely relevant,” he said.
Shone also met Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil on Monday to clarify his position. Notably, the BJP state unit has neither disowned nor endorsed the father-son duo’s stand against the Church leadership and its publication.
The controversy has reportedly caused some internal confusion within the BJP regarding potential political repercussions.