The 70th anniversary celebrations of the Kerala Council of Churches, the umbrella organization of the various non-Catholic Episcopal churches in Kerala, began here on Thursday.
Inaugurating the Sapthathy Assembly organized as part of the celebrations, president of KCC, Bishop Abraham Mar Paulos said the organization had always taken positions which it deemed good for the society. This was taken in spite of the fact that, individual member churches had expressed dissent on various issues.
He said KCC would strongly intervene against the Court verdict that has decriminalized Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Pointing out that the Church leadership in Kerala had not reacted to the issue in a strong and effective manner, Bishop Paulos said while decriminalizing the Section, the issue of Fundamental Rights was considered only in letter and not in spirit.
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The Bishop also took serious note of the recurring controversy over admission in self-financing professional colleges during the past few years, especially during the admission period. Education should be viewed as the society’s long-term investment in the coming generations. As such, it was imperative on the part of all stakeholders to sit together and arrive at a consensus on the policy issues, he said.
Rajan Gurukkal, vice chancellor, MG University, delivered the key note address. Bishops Thomas Mar Themotheos (Jacobite Syrian Church) Yuhanon Mar Milithos (Orthodox Church), K G Daniel (Church of South India), Euyakim Mar Coorilos (Marthoma Church), Kuriakose Mar Ivanios (Knanaya Jacobite Church) and others spoke. The Assembly will continue on Friday.