THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A priest in the Idukki district of Kerala has been suspended for joining the BJP.
Fr Kuriakose Mattam has been temporarily removed from his position as vicar of Mankuva church by the Syro Malabar Catholic Church diocese for defying church rules. The decision to initiate action against Fr Mattam was taken by the diocese at its emergency meeting.
In a statement issued by the diocese, it was explained that Fr Mattam's decision to join a political party contradicted the rules of the church and could create divisions among the members of the parish. A special commission will be appointed for further investigation, and the panel's report will determine if further action is necessary.
The Church leaders pointed out that expressing sympathy and taking membership are two different things.
Fr Mattam had accepted his primary membership from BJP's Idukki district president K S Aji. After officially becoming a member of the party, the priest said he did not consider the BJP as an anti-Christian party.
According to him, becoming a member of the BJP would give him more opportunities to work with people belonging to different faiths.
The BJP leadership said Kuriakose was given membership 15 days ago, and the picture was released on social media with his permission. Local BJP leaders explained that this is the first time a priest has joined the BJP in Idukki.
