Foreign funding licence still suspended, laments archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)

As voters in the southern Indian state go to the polls, the local Church is struggling to carry out its outreach programmes. The issue dates back to 2022, following protests over port construction by the Adani group.

Thiruvananthapuram (AsiaNews) – The suspension of its licence to receive foreign funding continues to create problems for the Catholic Church in India.

Archbishop Thomas J Netto of Thiruvananthapuram, in the southern state of Kerala, explained the situation caused by the funding issue in a letter dated 21 April sent to all parishes in the diocese.

The prelate notes that the local Church spends about 20 million rupees a year to train priests, provide care to older members of the clergy, and carry out various initiatives.

“In addition to funding, we have not been able to receive financial assistance for missionary works, because, after the Vizhinjam riots, the central government froze our bank accounts, a situation that still persists,” the archbishop said.

Protests broke out in 2022 in the coastal city of Vizhinjam, with some acts of violence, as residents objected to the construction of a port by the Adani Group, one of India's largest companies. Over the past few years, the latter won several contracts backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Vicar General, Fr Eugine H. Pereira, pointed out that the Church's support for economically disadvantaged families has faced difficulties with delays after funds were frozen.

The licence to receive foreign funding was suspended after Kerala police filed complaints with the Union (federal) Ministry of Home Affairs over clashes with protesters.

Archbishop Pereira, who had taken part in the protests, laments that, despite assurances from the state government, which is led by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) alliance, and the dropping of lawsuits against protesters, nothing has been done to lift the suspension.

In view of the situation, the Church has issued an address to all political parties taking part in the country’s ongoing parliamentary elections, currently in their second phase, with Kerala voters set to cast their ballots today.

"Our faithful have suffered great injustices,” said Archbishop Pereira. “We will extend our support to the coalition that meets our needs.”

In addition to a solution for the families displaced by the port construction in Vizhinjam, the local Catholic Church is calling on the authorities to take steps to support fishing communities in places like Muthalapozhi and Pozhiyoor, adopt policies designed to help disadvantaged Dalit Christians, and implement the recommendations sent to the government by local clergy.

• india
• kerala
• elections
• thiruvananthapuram
• archbishop thomas j netto
• vizhinjam riots
• adani group