Kerala: The Syro Malabar Church in Kerala has expressed concern claiming the share of the Christian population in Kerala. The Church also claimed that over one lakh men under the Church itself are yet to find life partners.
"Over one lakh Christian grooms above the age of 30 under the Syro Malabar Church are unable to find life partners," claimed a pastoral letter issued recently by a Kerala archbishop.
The letter, issued by the Changanacherry Archdiocese, Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam, was read out in all churches during the Sunday mass on October 6.
According to the church, apart from not being able to find a life partner, low birth rate, unemployment, agricultural crisis, and even the recent floods are affecting the Christian community. The pastoral letter also shares plans to create awareness on these issues among the church community.
The Church says that many youngsters were deserting the community and leaving the country for greener pastures due to the lack of jobs in Kerala. They are not willing to return to their homeland.
The union government had formed a minority department and allotted Rs 4,700 crore for minority development. But the community failed to enjoy the government assured benefits and government jobs.
During the period of the formation of the Kerala state, Christians were the second-largest community in the state. But now, the community is only 18.38% of the state’s total population. In recent years, the birth rate in the Christian community has decreased to 14%.
The pastoral letter also pointed out that certain sectors that the Christian community is involved in are facing serious issues. “The farming sector has been largely destroyed in the state.
Rubber, fisheries and small scale industries are facing a huge crisis, which is affecting the Christian community.
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