Church administrator Mar Thom’s call for mandatory pre-marriage HIV testing sparks debate

Church Clergy Administrator Mar Thoma K. Thomas’ call to make premarital HIV testing mandatory in the church has sparked online debate after a video of his remarks surfaced in the public domain.

At a family meeting organized by the Church in Thiruvananthapuram on August 30, Rev. Thomas said he was in favor of a system whereby marriages in the Mar Thoma Church would be solemnized only after the prospective bride and groom undergo HIV tests.

“Karnataka government is conducting HIV tests on all campuses. I believe all marriages performed in the Mar Thoma Church should be solemnized only after the couples undergo these tests. I am someone who would like to see this implemented,” he said.

His remarks come in the backdrop of a recent report of a rise in HIV infections among people aged 18 to 35 in Karnataka. Following the report and on the recommendation of the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society, the Government of Karnataka has decided to make HIV testing and counseling camps mandatory in government, aided and private colleges.

“The parents gathered here should not be offended by what I am saying. When a girl is brought to the church as a bride, the purpose of this family gathering is to ensure that her body is not subjected to any form of abuse,” the priest added.

Just a personal observation: The Church

The Mar Thoma Church, meanwhile, tried to distance itself from the proposal, describing it as a personal observation of Reverend Thomas.

“The church has not taken any official stand in this regard,” said a source from the church headquarters in Thiruvalla.

Published – 03 Sep 2026 14:08 IST