- 13 July, 2026
Kochi, July 13, 2026: The 47th General Assembly of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) has called on the Central and Kerala governments to address a range of long-pending issues affecting coastal communities, education, social justice and the welfare of the Latin Catholic community, reaffirming the Church's commitment to inclusive development and the dignity of the poor and marginalised.
The three-day assembly, held from July 10 to 12 at the Inter-Kochi Alpha Pastoral Centre, brought together bishops, priests, religious and lay representatives from the 12 Latin Catholic dioceses of Kerala. The gathering concluded with the adoption of a comprehensive declaration outlining priorities for the Church and society.
Reflecting on the KRLCC Jubilee, the assembly affirmed that the Latin Catholic community is called to witness to the Gospel while working for social transformation. It resolved to pursue a mission of evangelisation, development and liberation, announcing that a ten-year action plan would be unveiled during the jubilee valedictory celebrations.
A major focus of the declaration was the implementation of the Justice J.B. Koshy Commission Report. While noting earlier assurances by the state government, the assembly urged the authorities to convene all stakeholders and establish a time-bound plan for implementing the commission's recommendations.
The assembly also sought urgent and permanent solutions to the long-standing concerns of coastal communities, including the Munambam land dispute, the recurring hazards at Muthalapozhi, and coastal erosion in Chellanam and other vulnerable regions. It called for scientifically sound coastal protection measures and greater consultation with local fishing communities before implementing development projects.
Welcoming government initiatives aimed at improving the lives of fisherfolk, the assembly appreciated the revival of the native housing scheme for fishermen and urged the restoration of welfare programmes related to housing renovation, sanitation and educational assistance. It also called for the speedy implementation of the Sea Rights Act.
While welcoming the state's proposed Mission Samudra, the KRLCC expressed concern over the absence of a Detailed Project Report and urged the government to conduct transparent environmental and social impact studies. It also recommended constituting an expert committee, including representatives of fishing communities, to examine issues related to the Blue Economy and coastal development.
Addressing education and social justice, the assembly renewed its demand for increasing educational reservation for Latin Catholics to four per cent to match existing employment reservation. It also called for a special commission to study the educational and socio-economic conditions of Dalit Christians and urged the Kerala Government to seek constitutional safeguards for them from the Central Government.
The declaration further sought reforms in scholarship schemes, greater transparency in community representation in public employment, and amendments to the Public Service Commission roster system to ensure equitable opportunities for all sections of society.
Expressing concern over the growing menace of substance abuse, the assembly welcomed the government's Operation Toofan initiative to combat drug trafficking and addiction among children and young people. At the same time, it opposed any liberalisation of the state's liquor policy and called for the withdrawal of the proposed Night Life project, warning that it could undermine social and moral values.
The assembly also highlighted the challenges faced by plantation workers and farmers, urging measures to revive closed plantations, improve workers' living conditions, ensure timely compensation for crop losses, address the impact of wildlife attacks and accelerate irrigation projects in affected regions. It also appealed for renewed efforts to preserve traditional Pokkali cultivation.
Among its other recommendations, the KRLCC urged the government to extend Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) relaxations to eligible coastal and island communities and to address concerns arising from recent amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), particularly provisions affecting charitable and ecclesial institutions.
Through its declaration, the KRLCC reaffirmed the Church's commitment to advocating for justice, human dignity and the integral development of coastal communities, while calling for policies that ensure equitable opportunities and sustainable development for all sections of society.
By Joseph Jude, KRLCC
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