Father George Nellikunnil Cheriv Puryidom addresses students who meet on Friday with RSS in the deck. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
At a time when the Catholic Church in Kerala expressed concern about attacks on Christians in the middle and northern states of India, the participation of the priest of the diocese of Pal in Syro-Malabar in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) raised several eyebrows.
Father George Nellikunnu Cheriv Puryidom, Director of Homes Project under The Pala Diocese and Deepika Friends Club, chaired Shankholi 2025 on Friday (August 15) MEENACHIL and RAMAPURAM units of RSS.
Father Puryidom, who dealt with the Assembly, said it was a generation inspired by the spiritual heritage of India and the struggle for freedom that continued to form modern India. Today’s younger generation must try to project the fame of the nation on the world scene and use the organization and technology efficiently.
The key address at the summit was delivered by the vice -president of the Jigi Mash Desheeya Adhyapaka Parishat.
However, this event has already raised several eyebrows in the Catholic Church, especially as a result of recent attacks on nuns and priests from Kerala in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, allegedly activists from Sangh Parivar. “This only reflects how parts of the Catholic clergy remain insensitive to the suffering of their believers in BJP states,” another priest said, responding to the presence of a priest. The example also launched debates on social media and in the Catholic community.
In contact, Fr. Puryidom explained that he attended an event with the knowledge of Pie bishop Joseph Kallarangatta. “I decided to participate because the program is related to the day of independence. I went there at the invitation of the organizers and presented a speech on the topic of the event. It is not necessary by mistake,” he explained.
Comment on this question, Fr. Joseph Thadathil, general vicar of the diocese, claimed that the priest had to attend an event in his personal office. “The diocese, such as the principle, does not interfere with any political organization, nor does it apply to any. The diocese has nothing to do with the event, even though the priest participated in it,” he explained.
Published – 16 August 2025 20:38
