Metropolitan mounts attack on bishops

Says attempts by church leaders to influence voters highly deplorable

Joseph Mar Thoma, head of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

In a strongly-worded letter to members of the church, head of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church Joseph Mar Thoma has criticised the attempts made by some church leaders to influence voters, “directly or indirectly”, in the State Assembly elections in May.

“It was highly deplorable and unacceptable,” he said.

“I am so pained to say that some actions (of church leaders), which witnessed during the time of the State election, were not good for the future of the democratic setup of the country… any attempt to create divisions in society is highly deplorable… whether it is church or church leaders, unacceptable and lamentable,” he said in the ‘Metropolitan’s Letter’ in the June issue of the

Malankara Sabha Tharaka , the official publication of the church.

“Especially during the time of elections to the State Assembly, the behaviour (of influencing voters directly or indirectly) of these church leaders was unacceptable and lamentable,” he added.

Lauds Pinarayi

Congratulating the LDF government and Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been elected Chief Minister of Kerala, the Metropolitan said the clear mandate given by the people of Kerala would be definitely helpful for the government to take strong actions in administration and development of the State.

Taking a dig at the previous UDF government headed by Oommen Chandy, he said this clear mandate would give the new government full control to implement the promises given to the people through the LDF’s manifesto while helping Mr. Vijayan to guide an administration without corruption.