A Call to Uphold Democratic and Secular Values: Nilackal Ecumenical Trust Advocates Unity and Vigilance

In a resounding message to safeguard the constitutional guarantees of democracy and secularism, the Nilackal Ecumenical Trust, a collective of Christian churches, convened at the Kanjirappally Diocesan Pastoral Centre. The assembly underscored the imperative need for society to transcend communal ideologies, advocating for an atmosphere replete with love, unity, cooperation, and fraternity—deemed essential in this era for the nation’s integrity and unity.

The event was chaired by Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, Vice Chairman of the Trust, who highlighted the Trust’s formation’s significant role in fostering inter-church unity as an inspiration of collective Christian faith on a global scale. He stressed that opposing forces that seek to fragment the country’s unity should be vigilantly countered by all citizens.

The conference brought together influential voices from the Syro Malankara Catholic Church and other Christian denominations, underscoring the collective responsibility to promote a more inclusive and harmonious society. Right Rev. Dr. Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian, the Trust Secretary, delivered a report outlining the Trust’s objectives and initiatives, further cementing the assembly’s commitment to these enduring values.

Distinguished attendees, including Bishop Mar Joseph Pulikkal, Bishop Kuriakose Mar Severios, Bishop Joshua Mar Nikodimos, and Bishop Gheevarghese Mar Aprem, lent their voices to this clarion call, reinforcing the essential nature of unity and peace within the Christian community and beyond. The gathering also acknowledged the pioneering role of Mar Joseph Powathil, the Kanjirappally Diocesan Bishop, in establishing the Trust.

The assembly coincided with a national day of prayer on March 22, called upon by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), uniting various Christian church leaders in prayer and reflection. This act of unity reflects the broader goals of the Nilackal Ecumenical Trust, establishing it as a model of ecumenical collaboration and dialogue within the international Christian community.

Plans for the Ruby Jubilee celebrations of the Nilackal Ecumenical Trust, including the Nilackal Ecumenical Church, the International Ecumenical Dialogue Centre, and the Meditation Centre, were unveiled, promising a future filled with collaborative efforts towards peace and unity.

The gathering concluded on a hopeful note, with leaders and members alike committed to advancing the Trust’s mission of promoting ecumenical unity and safeguarding the nation’s democratic and secular ethos.