The candidature of Rev. Fr. M. P. Jesuraj, who has been nominated by the Aam Aadmi Party for the Tirunelveli Lok Sabha constituency, is in question as the Code of Canon Law that governs the functioning of Roman Catholic priests says that clergymen cannot actively take part in political parties or union activities.
The Code of Canon Law 287 says clerics are always to foster peace and harmony based on justice, which are to be observed among people.
They are not to take active part in political parties and in governing labour unions unless, in the judgment of competent ecclesiastical authority, the protection of the rights of the Church or the promotion of the common good requires it.
Since the RC Bishop of Palayamkottai Diocese Most Rev. A. Jude Paulraj is the competent ecclesiastical authority who alone can give or deny permission in the case of Rev. Fr. Jesuraj, it is reliably learnt that the Bishop has advised the priest to refrain from contesting the poll from Tirunelveli.
The Bishop has reportedly sent a letter in this connection to the priest.
