Reformist priest questions Church’s double standard on BJP support

By Jessy Joseph

New Delhi, Oct 6, 2023: The Catholic Church in Kerala has one rule for priests and another for bishops when it comes to supporting the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), bemoans a reformist cleric.

Father Aji Puthiyaparampil, who left priestly ministry to reform the Catholic Church in Kerala, made the allegation after Idukki diocese temporarily suspended a priest who on October 2 took the BJP membership.

“Today’s hot church news is the BJP entry of Idukki diocesan Father Kuriakose Mattam. Before the news spread, the Church took action against the priest. He was removed from the Mankua parish, where he was the vicar,” said Father Puthiyaparambil.

Father Mattam has served St Thomas Church, Mankuva, since 2020. The diocese transferred the 74-year-old priest to the diocesan clergy home in Adimaly, a town in Idukki district.

Idukki diocesan spokesperson Father Jins Karackatt said the action against Father Mattam was not the result of his affiliation with the BJP. The Catholic Church prohibits priests becoming members of any political party, Father Karackatt told Matters India on October 4.

“A parish community has diverse political affiliations and if a priest joins a particular political party it will be impartial. A priest joining a political party can raise concern in the parish, hence the diocese took a temporary action,” the Public Relation Officer explained.

He also said that since a priest is a spiritual leader his joining a political party will give a wrong message to the people and the Canon Law doesn’t allow clergy to become a member of political parties.

Father Karackatt also pointed out Father Mattam has only 6 months to retire.

K S Aji, BJP Idukki district president, shared on his Facebook page the images of Father Mattam and said the Catholic priest joined the party after “observing the current situation” in the country.

In a video, the priest said he could not find any reason not to join the BJP.

“I follow contemporary issues. I understand the BJP after reading about it from newspapers. I don’t find any reason not to join it. I have friendships with many BJP workers. Today I received the membership,” the priest said.

The Idukki diocese’s prompt action against Father Mattam does reflect the Church’s earlier response to the pro-BJP stand of some bishops in Kerala, explains Father Puthiyaparampil who was suspended a few months ago for his “grave disobedience” and causing public scandals.

“One justice for the priest and another for the bishop,” he laments in a statement shared on social media platforms.

While refraining from going into the diocesan against Father Mattam, Father Puthiyaparambil cited the pro-BJP stand of some bishops in Kerala.

Cardinal George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar Church, had earlier remarked that Christians are very safe under the BJP administration.

Archbishop Joseph Pamplany of Tellicherry promised the BJP that he would give the party at least one seat from Kerala if it raised the price of rubber to 300 rupees.

BJP has no seat from Kerala either in the parliament or the state legislative assembly.

Another Kerala prelate Emeritus Bishop Mathew Arakkal of Kanjirapally, who led the formation of Bharatiya Christian Sangam, a pro-BJP organization.

Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur, “provides water and fertilizer to pro-Sangh Parivar organization Marthoma Nasani Sangam,” alleges Father Puthiyaparambil.

“If the priest who took a pro-BJP position is wrong, the bishops who took such a stand are also wrong. If the priest is removed from his post, the bishops must also be removed,” asserts the rebel priest who will soon face diocesan enquiry for his actions.

“If what the bishops did was not wrong, neither was what this priest did. Action taken against him should be withdrawn immediately. Double justice is unfit for a civilized society,” Father Puthiyaparambil asserted.