Cardinal Alencherry intervenes over fishermen killing

Talking to Fides, a Catholic News Agency, at Vatican City, Alencherry said "The opposition parties in Kerala exploited the incident for their political gains and I have asked Catholic leaders in the state not to complicate and worsen the situation." 

 

Alencherry, who is in Vatican for the coronation ceremony, was accompanied by Union minister of state Prof. K.V. Thomas. Alencherry is reported to have said that Prof. Thomas has got adequate influence in the state and union government and he has promised to use his clout in this regard. Malayalam TV channels quotes Alencherry stating that he has already given similar messages to Catholic ministers in Kerala cabinet. 

 

Alencherry was quoted saying, "In the episode, of course, there were errors, since the fishermen were mistaken for pirates. But it seems that the opposition party wants to take advantage of the situation and exploit the case for electoral reasons, speaking of 'Western powers' or the 'will of American dominance'."

 

He further said that after the last week's incident he immediately contacted the Catholic ministers of Kerala, urging the government "not to act precipitately". 

 

Alencherry was made a cardinal at a ceremony by Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Feb 18, and is currently in Rome.

 

According to reports, the people of Kerala did not approve Alencherry’s statements, saying he should remain neutral and should not involve himself in the matter.

 

Even Syro Malabar Church leaders have reportedly repudiated the Alencherry stand. Most touching was the reaction of Dereek, son of Jelastine, one of the two killed fishermen. 

 

Dereek said that he and his family can not accept such statements by the cardinal.

 

Speaking to Media on Wednesday, Father Rajesh Martin, spokesperson of the Latin Catholic Church of the Kollam dioceses, said, "If he has actually said it, then we will have to express our protest to that statement." 

 

But, the Syrio Malabar Church started fire fighting immediately. Father Paul, the spokeman of the Kerala based Syro-Malabar Church, defended his boss saying that Alencherry did not said anything that went against India's position.