Kochi: Bishop Mar John Nellikkunnel in Kerala yesterday asked priests to abstain from election-related propaganda, statements and meetings and not to take sides in the coming Lok Sabha elections as it would harm everyone.
The Bishop issued a circular to priests of the Idukki diocese stating that as they were spiritual leaders they should refrain from taking sides and asked them not to take part in active politics. The priests have duty before God to be symbols of charity and unity, he said in the circular adding that “Our people are intelligent enough to decide in elections.”
The Catholic Church holds sway over voters of Central Kerala and this can be seen as a departure from the positions taken by the church in the previous elections. The diocese had supported an independent candidate supported by the CPI(M) in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.