AICU urges Church not to interfere in politics

Kochi – The All–India Catholic Union (AICU), recently concluded its three–day National Working Committee meeting, during which it passed a resolution, urging the leaders of Christian educational institutions to stop accepting donations for appointments and admissions in educational institutions including self–financing institutions run by the church and congregations.

The AICU also urged the central government to make necessary rules banning the acceptance of capitation fees. The AICU working committee passed another resolution urging the central government to create rules to ensure the reservation of Dalit Christians and to redress the difficulties suffered by them.

The central government should take a favourable stand when the special review petition, filed by AICU in this regard comes before the Supreme Court.

Observing that it was improper on the part of church leaders to declare allegiance to any political party, the Catholic body said that the church should not interfere in politics directly.

The laity should be given the freedom to opt their own political line. The organisational strength of the church should not be used for ‘bargaining,’ it said.

V.A. Varghese, Thomas John Thevereth and Jacob Pulickan presented the resolutions, which were unanimously passed in the national working committee (NWC), said general convener Jose Vithayathil. About 165 delegates from various states participated in the NWC.

AICU national president John Dayal presided over the valedictory meeting.