‘Do bishops need clearance from AKG Centre to make statements?’ Thalassery Archdiocese slams CPM’s MV Govindan

Thalassery: The Thalassery Archdiocese has strongly criticised CPM state secretary M V Govindan for his remarks against Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, stating that his stance mirrors that of fascist forces.

In an official statement, the Archdiocese said that the implication that bishops of the Catholic Church require clearance from the AKG Centre before making public statements is a veiled expression of fascism.

The Archdiocese refuted the interpretation that Archbishop Pamplany had changed his stance regarding the Chhattisgarh issue. It clarified that the Archbishop had strongly opposed the unconstitutional actions of the Central Government and Sangh Parivar-affiliated groups in Chhattisgarh, and had merely thanked the Centre for its intervention following the Church's request — this, it stated, should not be misread as a shift in position.

Archbishop Pamplany’s position remains that government actions against minorities must always be opposed. The Archdiocese also said it was highly unfortunate that a senior leader of a political party like the CPM would make such misleading and defamatory remarks.

Earlier, MV Govindan had commented that “no one is as opportunistic as Pamplany”. He was speaking at the inauguration of the NGO Union’s Thaliparamba Area Centre. Referring to the attacks on nuns in Chhattisgarh, he remarked that he was shocked by the incident and recalled statements suggesting that if such incidents continued, the Church would have to reconsider its stance.

He criticised Church leaders, saying that as soon as bail was granted in the case, priests went to meet Union Minister Amit Shah with cake in hand. "They went for sweet-talk. And just as they left the office, more news emerged — that priests had also been assaulted. Then came the question: are we supposed to live in Europe? The idea that we can simply offer sweets and solve everything is wrong,” he said.

He further alleged that the root of the issue lies in a campaign that suggests Muslims, Christians and Communists do not belong in India and should be pushed out — a narrative that, he warned, is dangerous and divisive.