Kerala church flays NCW proposal to ban confession

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church on Sunday flayed the proposal of National Commission for Women (NCW) to prohibit the churches from practising confession, saying it went against the spirit of religious freedom envisaged in the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church head Cardinal George Alencherry said the priests must protect the sanctity of the confession.

A resolution read out in most of the Orthodox churches in the State on Sunday said the proposal was against the spirit of ancient Indian culture and rich values, which respects all religions and faiths with tolerance.

“We request the government of India to reject this unilateral immature proposal of the National Women’s Commission which is against the spirit of religious freedom as envisaged in the constitution,” the resolution said.

In a statement emailed to media this evening, Syro-Malabar Cardinal Alencherry said sacramental confession helps a sinner to get closer to God, cleanse his heart and soul and lead a peaceful life.

The Cardinal said the priests must protect the sanctity of the confession, adding the Catholic Church insists that those priests who violate the principle and make public the confession of laity should be punished.