KOCHI: A protest resolution was read out and passed in many of the parishes of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church on Sunday against the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson’s recommendation to ban the sacrament of confession in Christianity.
According to PC Alias, the public relations officer of the Church, the resolution was read out and passed in most of the churches. “The resolution has two major aspects. The first one was to register our protest against the recommendation of the women’s commission. The second was to request the central government to reject the recommendation made by the commission,” said Alias.
“The Church is registering strong protests on the recommendation to ban a holy sacrament which is central to the belief system of the church. The recommendation was made in a way so as to mar the Indian culture of tolerance and respect towards the Christian believes and values,” an official statement of the PRO stated.
Meanwhile, sources within the Church said that the resolution was not an official one. “The resolution was made by various trustees of organizations within the Church. It was not made in all churches either. The decision to pass the resolution was made by the Church leaders from among the laity,” said a source.
Meanwhile, Syro-Malabar Church head cardinal George Alencherry said in a statement on July 5 that confession is a sacrament perfect for the spiritual growth of the laity.
“The basis for this sacrament becoming fruitful is the power of Jesus to absolve sins and in his endless mercy, and not in the qualification of the priest to hear a confession. The sacrament of confession, through the knowledge about the necessity of absolution from sins and penance creates a stream of god’s love in every believer,” the statement said.
(Times of India)