Cardinal calls for moderation
Jul 11, 2007
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil made an appeal here on Tuesday for creating an atmosphere of understanding between those ruling the State and the managements of self-financing educational institutions.
(thehindu.com, 11/07/2007) KOCHI - In a written statement released to the media, the Cardinal who is also the head of the Syro-Malabar Church, reiterated that education should not become a business.
At the same time an atmosphere should be created so that these institutions served the needy in the best possible way. The insistence of the Church that education should be value-based had forced him to make some statements.
But the fact that they were being twisted to serve the interest of some parties was a sad development, said the Cardinal.
“While it is important that basic education be rid of politics, panchayats and municipalities are being used to help politics make a backdoor entry,” the statement added.
Call to parties
Parties that cannot envision a collective future for society beyond the future of the party should control their cadres and schools should not be turned into platforms for sectarian politics.
The statement was being issued under sad circumstances created by the controversy in the media and widespread anxiety on the education scene, said the statement.
The Church ventured into building educational institutions spending large sums of money because of its commitment to the ideals of Christian Church and its desire to fulfil its commitment to the people, the statement added.
Cardinal calls for moderation