Hope reigns as Church, Left set aside personal differences for mutual progress

Kochi: 45 years after a Church–led 'liberation struggle' toppled the Leftist government in the southern state of Kerala, it appears that the two ideologically opposite institutions are willing to set aside their differences finally and work towards social progress. Indeed, the Church and the Leftist party are turning out to be strange bedfellow and if the recent indications are anything to go by, we have none other but the Manmohan Singh government to thank for this unlikely occurrence.
Ever since the Congress–led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government came to power in New Delhi in May, senior leaders of the Indian Church have not stopped showering praises on the Left parties.
In the past, the Left leaders' atheism and rigid ideologies have sent them at loggerheads with the Church. In 1957, the Church led a 'liberation struggle' against Kerala's first communist government led by the late E M S Namboodiripad. The agitation, that was based on the belief that the Communists, who are atheists, would deprive the Church of control over its educational institutions, eventually led to Namboodiripad's government being dismissed by the Centre in 1959.
Ever since then, the Church and the Leftist party have been "sworn enemies".

But these days one can see an unusual change in the Church's attitude towards the Communists. For instance, recently Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, MajorArchbishop of the Syro–Malabar Church extolled the 'charity mission' of the Communist Party of India, Marxists.
"The CPI–M takes special care of the poor and the marginalized in India," Cardinal Vithayathil said. "Other political parties should emulate the CPI(M)."

While inaugurating the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Centre of the A.P. Varkey Mission Hospital at Ayarkunnam, the cardinal extended what he called the Catholic Church's "whole–hearted support to the charitable programmes of the CPI(M)". Ignoring the reports in a section of the press that the CPI(M) and the Church were surprised by his decision to participate in a function that was directly linked to the CPI(M), the Archbishop drew a parallel between the strong relationship that existed between Mother Teresa and the former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Jyoti Basu who supported the missions of the Mother in Calcutta. It is reported that Archbishop Vithayathil looked perfectly at home on the dais flanked by Marxist leaders like K. Chandran Pillai, MP, S. Sarma, former Minister, and Gopi Kottamurickal, CPI(M) party district secretary.

But Cardinal Vithayathil is not alone in showering praise on the Left. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has also lauded the UPA government's common minimum programme (CMP) as one that will "bring social justice, economic prosperity, and communal harmony" in the nation and have specifically indicated their appreciation for the welfare projects already undertaken by the Communist party that has extended support to the UPA government from the outside. In fact, CBCI president Cardinal Telesphore P Toppo of the Ranchi archdiocese and Bishop Thattunkal of the Cochin diocese have personally expressed their appreciation to the Communists recently in this regard.
According to Bishop Thattunkal, the Communist parties and the Church need not hate each other any more. "The Church has no ill–will towards the Communists," the bishop said, according to news sources, adding that the Church appreciates any political party that carries out welfare and developmental works for the people.

And, the admiration of the Church towards the Communist party does not seem to be in vain. Because, for instance, Cardinal Vithayathil's admiration for the Communist leaders has in turn earned him praise and adulation from the Leftist leaders.

But not all Church leaders are all swooning over the Leftist party. In fact, many of them have been taken aback by the top hierarchy's sudden admiration for the Communists. "Yes, we are moving closer to the Communists because that is one party that has clear programmes for the poor and needy," a Church leader pointed out. "Maybe the feeling of friendship with the Leftists is because of the new Manmohan Singh government."

However, most of the Church leaders agree that Prime Minister Singh's recent announcement of special privileges for the minorities was "made possible because of the influence the Left Front has in the Congress–led government".
Recently, the prime minister proposed to establish a commission for minority educational institutions to provide direct affiliation of minority professional institutions with the central universities. He also announced the setting up of a national commission to enhance the welfare of socially and economically backward sections.

But senior Church leader Father Thomas Parathara said it is "wrong to say that the Church and the Left parties are in any new–found love." For, according to Father Parathara, "The Church's mission is social and economic development of the people. We also want the political problems of the people to be take care of by the parties. We appreciate any political party that does good for the people and their development."

– Surojit Chatterjee

Picture caption detail:– Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church, flanked by the CPI(M) leaders, K. Chandran Pillai, MP (left) and the party district secretary, Gopi Kottamurickal, at the inaugural function of the Pain Relief and Palli ative Care Centre of the A. P. Varkey Mission Hospital, Ayarkunnam