Repeal church Bill: Reformists

KOZHIKODE: The Catholic Laymen's Association (CLA) here has come out against the Kerala Church (Properties and Institutions) Bill 2019, the draft of which has been placed by the Kerala Law Reforms Commission before the public seeking suggestions and corrections.

The CLA has termed the Bill as a watered-down version of the earlier one submitted by Justice V.R. Krisha Iyer to the law reforms committee in 2009.

The rebel organisations demanded withdrawal of the Bill as it is against the 'liberty' of the believer in the Church and protects the dictatorial and oppressive elements in it.

CLA secretary M.L. George told DC that if the government fails to withdraw the Bill, the CLA will seek legal remedy to safeguard the interests of laymen. "The proposal to set up a 'tribunal' to settle conflicts was in violation of Article 30 of the Constitution which ensures the rights of the minorities. The tribunal will help the politicians to intervene in Church affairs," he said.

Another CLA member N.J. John, who had held discussions with Justice Krishna Iyer for bringing out the Kerala Christian Church Properties and Institutions Trust Bill-2009, told  DC that the Bill is the ideal one that protect the rights of individuals within the Church, in tune with Christian norms, traditions, Indian Constitution  and also subjecting to the ethos nationality. "I don't know why the state government has been forced to bring out another Bill while one Bill has been pending with the government for almost a decade," he added.

All-Kerala Church Act Action Council member George Moolechalil said the organisation would meet Justice K.T. Thomas who had played  a key role in drafting the new Bill. "I have reasons to doubt that the state government may be trying to appease the Church ahead of the elections," he said. "The new Bill retains the oppressive powers of the Church and also allows the state to intervene in its affairs," he pointed out.