Latest news with #KCBC
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP welcomes KCBC's call to youth to join mainstream political parties
Giving a push to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s efforts to reach out to the influential minority community in Kerala ahead of the local body and Assembly elections, the BJP State leadership has welcomed the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council's call to the youth to join mainstream political parties. State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has officially welcomed the KCBC's appeal, stating that it aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. 'Appreciate the call from KCBC to Christian youth to actively engage in public life and serve society. @BJP4Keralam warmly welcomes youth aspiring to enter politics and contribute to nation-building. This aligns with PM @narendramodi's vision of one lakh talented youth leading a 'politics of performance.' #VikasitaKeralam needs visionary young leaders committed to development for all,' says a social media post of Mr. Chandrasekhar. The KCBC issued a circular on July 6, Church's Youth Day, indicating that Christian youngsters are reluctant to engage in active politics and urged them to join politics. The circular, issued by KCBC Youth Commission chairperson Christudas R. and vice-chairpersons Mar Joseph Pandarasseril and Mathews Mar Policorpos, was read in all parishes under the Syro Malabar, Syro Malankara, and Latin rite churches during the Mass on Sunday. 'At present, the political situation is extremely chaotic and confusing, and it is not advisable for Christian youth having leadership skills and critical thinking abilities to distance themselves from mainstream politics. A new generation with knowledge and talent should enter mainstream politics to solve the issues facing our society. Catholic youth organisations should train young women and men with leadership qualities and bring them into the mainstream. Qualified youths must come forward for this mission, recognising it as essential for society, particularly the Christian community,' read the circular. Meanwhile, KCBC spokesperson Fr. Thomas Tharayil clarified that the Church never directed youth to join any specific political party. 'Joining a political party is a personal decision,' he said. 'The Church does not treat any political party as untouchable. What we called for is for the youth to engage in nation-building by participating in the political process — rather than aligning with anti-political movements,' said Fr. Tharayil.
Deccan Herald
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Kerala Catholic body urges Christian youth to enter mainstream politics
The Youth Commission under the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), an apex body of Christian bishops, made the appeal in its recent circular issued on Youth Day, which fell on July 6.
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Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
BJP urges Christian youth in Kerala to take part in mainstream politics
The BJP welcomed Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC)'s appeal to Christian youth to join mainstream politics and said that the call aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. In a social media post, BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar said his party supports youth entering politics and contributing to nation-building. "VikasitaKeralam" needs visionary young leaders committed to development for all, he said in a post on 'X'. "Appreciate the call from KCBC to Christian youth to actively engage in public life and serve society. @BJP4Keralam warmly welcomes youth aspiring to enter politics and contribute to nation-building. This aligns with PM Narendra Modi's vision of one lakh talented youth leading a politics of performance. Vikasita Keralam needs visionary young leaders committed to development for all," Chandrasekhar said. The BJP state chief's statement came two days after a prominent Catholic body in Kerala urged the Christian youth to actively take part in politics, saying distancing themselves from the mainstream political process is not a correct stance. The Youth Commission under the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), an apex body of Christian bishops, made the appeal in its recent circular issued on Youth Day, which fell on July 6. "Today's political scenario is utmost chaotic and confusing, and so it is not appropriate for the community youth, having leadership skills and critical thinking abilities, to keep themselves away from politics," it said. It underscored that the entry of a new generation with knowledge and talent into politics is crucial for addressing various societal issues. Issued by KCBC Youth Commission chairperson Christudas R, the circular was read in Catholic churches, cutting across denominations, during the Mass on Sunday. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Catholic Church urges Christian youths to join politics
The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) issued a circular on July 6, the Church's Youth Day, indicating that Christian youngsters are reluctant to engage in active politics and urged them to join politics. The circular issued by KCBC Youth Commission chairperson Christudas R. and vice chairpersons Mar Joseph Pandarasseril and Mathews Mar Policorpos was read in all parishes during the Mass on Sunday. 'Essential for society' The circular reads, 'Presently, the political situation is extremely chaotic and confusing and it is not advisable for Christian youth possessing leadership skills and critical thinking abilities to distance themselves from mainstream politics. A new generation with knowledge and talent should enter mainstream politics to solve the issues facing our society. Catholic youth organisations should train young women and men with leadership qualities and bring them into the mainstream. Qualified youths must come forward for this mission, recognising it as essential for society, particularly the Christian community,' reads the circular. Guidance for jobs The circular also indicated that a significant number of youths are looking for job opportunities in foreign countries. 'The Church cannot discourage those who move abroad for a better life. However, many youngsters wish to remain in the country. They should be guided on ways to approach entrepreneurship and employment professionally,' said the circular. A Catholic priest said that the Church had noticed the alarming decline in the number of Christian representatives in politics. 'Participation in the government is a must for addressing the issues of society, especially those of the Christian community. If Christian youth are reluctant to join politics, the role of Christians will reduce further in future governments,' said the priest. 'Declining role' According to sources, the declining presence of Catholics in ruling parties is raising concern among Church authorities. The Catholic Church has played an influential role in electoral politics in the State over the years. The Church now hopes that the participation of Christian youths in politics will help it emerge again as an influential factor.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Priests stage hunger strike demanding tetrapod sea wall to protect Kannamaly-Fort Kochi coastline
Priests under the Alappuzha and Kochi dioceses staged a hunger strike near the BOT Bridge at Thoppumpady on Friday demanding that the government allocate funds to construct a tetrapod sea wall to protect the Puthenthodu (in Kannamaly)-Fort Kochi coastline where sea incursion has become common. This comes in the wake of damage to houses due to rampant sea incursion in the region and also the perilous life that residents there lead. The agitation that began at 10 a.m. concluded by 5 p.m. The priests demanded urgent allocation of funds and steps to construct a sea wall in the corridor on a war footing, taking into account the grave threat to the life of residents. Hundreds of coastal residents and others participated in two rallies, one from Palluruthy and another from Thoppumpady, which was taken out on Friday evening to the venue of the hunger strike. The rallies were flagged off by secretary general of Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) Fr. Thomas Tharayil and State president of Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) Sherry J. Thomas. Director of Kripasanam Fr. V.P. Joseph Valiyaveetil inaugurated a rally that was taken out by the agitating priests from Thoppumpady to the venue of the fast in the morning. The hunger strike and other agitations are being mainly led by the Kannamaly-based Care Chellanam-Kochi, an NGO. The rampant sea incursion and the subsequent inundation of houses and other buildings began following the destruction of a sea wall that had been built there, following the Okhi Cyclone in 2017. A slew of agitations followed, and the government allotted ₹340 crore to build a 12-km-long sea wall northward from the Chellanam fishing harbour. But the sea wall was built only on a 7.35-km stretch, leaving the rest of the stretch all the way up to Fort Kochi vulnerable to sea incursion. The net result was that people were even unable to sleep in peace, the NGO said in a release. With the government not taking steps to build rest of the sea wall as had been promised, the Alappuzha and Kochi dioceses decided to mobilise the affected coastal residents and intensify their agitation, beginning with the hunger strike. Friday's fast was inaugurated by Joseph Jude, vice president of Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC). Socio-political leaders and people from different walks of life addressed the agitating priests. The valedictory of the agitation was inaugurated by Bishop of Kottapuram Ambrose Puthenveetil.
