Kerala: Fernandes lauds Churches' contribution

Pathanamthitta, Jan 29: Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said the contribution of the Church and different communities towards the overall development of Kerala was unparallel.

Inaugurating the 90th year of the Central Travancore Orthodox Convention at the Makkamkunnu Orthodox St Stephen Cathedral Grounds here yesterday Mr Fernandes lauded the state for its exemplary performance in education and health sectors.

He said Kerala was in the fore-front in containing demographic explosion and preserving the ecology.

He complimented the efforts of the Churches in ameliorating the plight of those affected with HIV/AIDS.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr P C Alexander, MP called for ending the feuds between different Churches.

The disputes over the ownership of Churches should be resolved amicabaly by the Orthodox and Jacobite factions, he said and suggested a ten-point criteria to reconcile the friction between the two sections of Orthodox Churches in the state.

UNI