Mananthavady Diocese threatens to sue Kerala Home Minister

Kozhikode, July 23 (UNI) The Catholic Diocese of Mananthavady today threatened to sue Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan for his alleged ''defamatory'' statement against the Church, which appeared in a section of the media earlier this month.

In a legal notice issued to Mr Balakrishnan as well as to the Chief Editor, Mathrubhumi, and the News Editor of Surya TV, on behalf of Rev Dr Jose Porunnedom, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Manathavady, by his counsel said the statement, made at Malappuram on July 1, ''what action was taken against those who have taken bribe from the Bishop, has wrongly and unnecessary exposed my client to hatred, contempt and ridicule in the eyes of the faithful...'' Releasing the notice at a press meet here counsel Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam said ''the statement has lowered and ridiculed the status and dignity of the high office of Catholic bishopric in the estimation of right thinking general public (particularly Malayalees) in India and abroad, and it tends to make them shun or avoid Bishops.'' Demanding an unconditional public apology from the Minister, it said ''my client will be constrained to take up the matter before appropriate courts of law and initiate criminal and civil proceedings against you.'' The Church also urged Mathrubhumi to express regret and tender public apology by publishing it on the front page of the Daily, and Surya to telecast its reget and apology in the prime-time news bulletin for three days.'' UNI PCH PY VV1501