K.R.L.C.C. Urges Government to Resolve Latin Catholic Certificate Ambiguities

Kerala, September 1, 2025: A delegation of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC), led by President Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakkal, submitted a representation to the Chief Minister, requesting the issuance of a clear government order to address the obstacles and ambiguities related to obtaining the Latin Catholic Community Certificate.

The Backward Communities Development Department had issued a clarification circular on 27 February 2016 to resolve the ambiguities in issuing Latin Catholic community certificates. The circular clearly instructs that, in granting community certificates to members of the Latin Catholic category, documents proving inclusion in the Latin Catholic category before 1947 can be waived. Instead, certificates issued by the respective bishops and facts revealed during local inquiries conducted by revenue authorities should form the basis for issuing caste/community certificates to members of the Latin Catholic community. It also instructs that all District Collectors and Department Heads must strictly adhere to this directive. The delegation requested the Chief Minister to issue this 2016 circular as a government order to provide a permanent solution to the Latin Catholic community certificate issue.

The delegation also drew the Chief Minister’s attention to the specific community certificate issues faced by the Nadar section within the Latin Catholic community. They requested clarification that the 2021 government order, which included Nadar Christians under the OBC quota, should be amended to state: “It is ordered to include the Nadar community of the Christian religion, excluding the SIUC and Latin Catholic Nadar section, in the state OBC list and provide reservation benefits.”

The K.R.L.C.C. delegation included Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakkal, President and Metropolitan of Kozhikode Archdiocese; Rev. Dr. Jiju George Arakkathara, General Secretary, K.R.L.C.C.; and Most Rev. Dr. Jensen Puthenveettil, Vicar General of Kozhikode Archdiocese.

By Joseph Jude

Spokesperson, Latin Catholic Church

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