The Syro-Malabar Church has publicly stood behind Mar Andrews Thazhath, the Archbishop of the Thrissur Archdiocese and former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, after his recent controversial remarks sparked debate and criticism in church circles and among local activists.
In an interview with the Deepika daily, Thazhath spoke about the challenges faced by the Christian community in Kerala and other parts of the country, citing attacks by extremist groups and “external forces” allegedly trying to create divisions within the Church’s internal affairs. He also suggested that certain banned organisations have attempted to interfere in what he described as the Church’s “trivial matters,” leading to unrest and misunderstanding among the faithful.
Following publication of the interview, responses from some quarters — particularly laity activists in the Ernakulam-Angamaly region — challenged Thazhath’s claims, demanding that he provide concrete evidence, especially regarding his statements on groups like the Popular Front of India. Critics argued that such assertions were serious and needed substantiation rather than broad allegations.
In defence of the archbishop, the Church’s media commission issued a statement affirming that Thazhath’s comments were grounded in the information he had received, and emphasised that he had not criticised any other religion, religious leader, or belief system. The statement also accused detractors of misinterpreting his remarks and attempting to divert attention from the issues he raised.
However, the controversy has highlighted broader tensions within the Christian community in Kerala over matters of identity, external influence, and internal unity — issues that have periodically surfaced in various forms over recent years. Critics within the Church have expressed concern that such statements might inadvertently contribute to polarisation rather than promoting harmony.
As discussions continue, both supporters and opponents of Archbishop Thazhath’s stance are calling for greater dialogue and clarity about the allegations and the way forward for the community in Kerala’s evolving socio-religious landscape.
News as reported
