Date:24/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/24/stories/2007072452750300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Bishop calls meet to discuss education policies

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: The Alappuzha Diocese of the Catholic Church in Kerala has joined hands with other dioceses in the standoff between the Church and the State Government on educational policies.

In a statement here on Monday, Bishop Stephen Athipozhiyil of the Alappuzha Diocese said the crisis in the education sector was a result of the planned moves by anti-Christian forces in the State.

Alleging that there was a clandestine effort to give a “red shade” to the education sector and that the recent policies were part of this effort, Bishop Athipozhiyil said the Left Democratic Front was trying to discredit the minority Christian community of its contributions to education in Kerala.

An emergency meeting of all educational institutions, its managers and related quarters under the diocese would be convened at the Pastoral Centre here on July 26 to create awareness on Constitutional rights and legal aspects of running educational institutions, the Bishop said.

‘Rights denied’

Alappuzha Vicar General Antony Therath, speaking to reporters later, said the LDF was denying Christian organisations of their Constitutional right to education and that the Church would fight this.