Church condemns desecration of the cross in Kakkadampoyil
KCO Reporter - October 2020
Church people marked their protest in rising cases of desecration of crosses in Kerala. The cross erected on the hill, near St. Mary's Church, Kakkadampoyil in the Malappuram District of Kerala has been desecrated by youths belonging to another community. Another case was reported from Pullepara in Poonjar, Kottayam district of Keala, recently.
In Kakkadampoil, the cross which has been desecrated had been erected 40 years ago and recently became a hot spot for anti-social. Youths who visit the place in the disguise of tourists used to desecrate the cross, climbing and sitting on it, photographing it, discarding no entry notice.
Catholic associations suspect the incident as part of the hidden agenda of the fundamentalists.
On October 25, a group of youths reached the spot and desecrated the cross climbing over it and photographed it. Locals and faithful reached the spot and caught them red-handed.
It has been continuing for a long time. People are trying to insult our symbols and church premises discarding our instructions, said Fr. Sudeep Kizhahakakrakattu, Vicar of the church. Manjeri police have taken 7 youths into custody in connection with the incident, he said in a voice message.
Different catholic groups including KCYM and AKCC along with parishioners organized a protest to protect the cross from further desecration on October 26, 2020. Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil, Bishop of Thamarassery diocese inaugurated the event. If we have protected our faith for 2000 years since St. Thomas landed here, we will protect our faith even by giving our lives, asserted Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil while inaugurating the protest. The government should take steps to protect Christians and should be more responsible too. It is pathetic that the Government did not intervene even when many films were released insulting catholic faith, he added.
Church people condemned the incident and said that they are deeply hurt by the recent developments in different parts of Kerala desecrating crosses.
Fr Benny Mundanattu, the Chancellor of the Thamarassery diocese condemned the incident and said that the insult is highly deplorable and it is not the sign of a civilized society. Civilized people should respect other religions and religious symbols. Unfortunately, these kinds of activities are on the rise during these days, that is highly deplorable. It has deeply wounded the sentiments of the believers, he continued.
For Christians, the cross is a symbol for the suffering of Lord Jesus Christ. Christ died on the cross for since of humankind. “Crosses remind us of the suffering of our Lord. Any insult, any damage done to this cross is an insult to the very foundation of the church” Soy Mathew Parasseril, a catholic believer told keralacatholiconline.
