KCBC Expresses Concern Over Rising Attacks on Christians in India

Kochi, August 6, 2025: The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in persecution of Christian minorities in various parts of the country. The KCBC once again expressed solidarity with the nuns and religious who have been unjustly imprisoned in Chhattisgarh. Although they have been granted bail, the continuation of the false cases filed against them remains a matter of grave concern. KCBC demanded the withdrawal of these cases and the full restoration of their constitutional rights. In this crisis, the united response of the Church in Kerala, the Christian community, and all people of goodwill has been significant.

As part of the ongoing Universal Church’s ‘Jubilee of Hope’, it was decided to celebrate the Jubilee event on a grand scale at the Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, under the leadership of the Kerala Church.

KCBC has strongly opposed the discriminatory order issued on 31st July 2025 by the Additional Government Secretary regarding appointments under the differently-abled category. The KCBC asserted that if vacancies earmarked for differently-abled candidates in aided schools were left unfilled as per legal provisions, then permission for other appointments should be denied until they are properly regularised. In the NSS case, the Supreme Court had issued a favourable verdict and subsequently, the government also issued a supporting order. It was clarified that this verdict could also be applied to other similar societies. On this issue, the Consortium of Catholic Managements, under the KCBC Commission for Education, approached the High Court and received a favourable verdict, stating that the government should consider Catholic managements’ applications in light of the NSS verdict and corresponding government order.

However, the government’s current order implementing this judgment claims that the Supreme Court ruling applies only to NSS and that a separate court order is needed for other managements. KCBC pointed out that this government stance is discriminatory and violates the principle of equal justice, especially since the Supreme Court had already observed that the verdict in favour of NSS is applicable to others in similar circumstances. KCBC noted that this negative stance of the government is not only causing financial distress to thousands of newly appointed staff but is also leading to personal, familial, and communal unrest.

Meanwhile, construction of the 100 houses promised by KCBC as part of the Wayanad–Vilangad natural disaster rehabilitation is progressing rapidly, with around twenty houses already completed. The meeting expressed hope that all houses will be completed by December 2025.

The KCBC meeting held at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, also discussed other timely issues. Following this, the bishops entered their annual retreat.

Fr. Thomas Tharayil

Deputy Secretary General / Official Spokesperson

Director, POC