Kochi, April 11, 2019: A news and entertainment television channel led by a Catholic lay preacher is slated to go on air on April 28 in Kerala.
Santhosh Karumathra, owner of Shekinah, told The Hindu on April 9 that it would take three months before the channel’s full operations could begin.
Ignatius Gonsalves, a Kochi-based veteran journalist and president of the Indian Catholic Press Association, will head the channel’s editorial team located at Thrissur.
Karumathra, a charismatic preacher for about two decades, did not elaborate the channel’s details or philosophy. However, many in Kerala view it as an attempt to improve the public image of the Syro-Malabar Church that now faces several scams, including a major financial scandal with its head, Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry, at the center, The Hindu reported.
Karumathra said the channel’s name is a Hebrew word meaning divine presence. The website of the upcoming television channel says those behind the venture want to empower the people through Good News.
“Driven by solid, uncompromising journalism, we cover a wide range of topics from multiple perspectives and across all walks of life around the world. From news and information to entertainment there will be something good for everyone from Shekinah,” the website says.
Meanwhile, Syro-Malabar Church sources clarified the Oriental Catholic rite is not directly involved in the channel and that it was being launched from Thrissur under the initiative of lay people.