Opposition to Ban Confessions in Churches

Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam

Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reject the National Commission for Women's (NCW) recommendation to ban confessions in churches.

After the rape case against four priests of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, NCW recommended to stop the practice of confessions in churches over fears they could lead to blackmailing of women.

Observing that confessions in churches are an integral part of Christianity and cannot be interfered with, the Minister of State for Tourism, termed the NCW's recommendation to the government, seeking a ban on confession in churches, "immature".

"I have written to the prime minister and also to the home minister. I met the home minister and had a discussion with him. I told him this must be rejected", said Alphons.

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has strongly opposed the same.

NCM chairperson Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi told PTI, "The minority commission out rightly rejects the recommendation and is opposed to it."

The four priests have been accused of sexually abusing a married woman belonging to their church. The priests have blackmailed and abused the woman following her "confessions".

The NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma said that the centre must initiate a probe to carefully study the increasing incidents of rape and sexual assaults in churches of Kerala.