Don’t fan passion, says George Alencherry

“When there are conflicting claims from various communities on such issues, society should discuss it and come to an amicable settlement,” he said, when asked for his comment on the growing instances of intolerance in the country related to food habits of people.

“If that does not happen, then the courts must take a decision.” The Cardinal, who on Tuesday returned home after a global synod of the Catholic Church which deliberated on issues concerning families, said Kerala society is going through a complex time as many groups are exerting pressure on society and governments.

“The faithful will express the opinion of the church, along with other factors, when they cast their votes in the elections to the local bodies,” he said.

Mar Alencherry said the synod has decided to be more compassionate about people who do not follow the Catholic norms on families.

“The church till now has talked in a voice of authority but from now onwards, its voice will reflect the grace of god.”

The Syro Malabar church will soon start work on issuing fresh guidelines for the parish priests and counseling centres which are dealing with issues concerning families.

Instead of sitting on judgment of the lives of remarried divorcees, people who are in live-in relationships and same-sex marriages, the church will try and understand such situations.

“The Church believes that they are products of societal changes does not blame individuals for them,” the cardinal said. They also will have a place in the scheme of things of the church, he said. The church will design new pastoral means to address such issues, he said.