Kerala priest who joined BJP temporarily removed from church positions

The BJP, which has been wooing the Christian community in Kerala for some time, had announced on December 31 that Fr Kurien and around 50 families from the minority community joined the party in the state.

Thiruvananthapuram: A senior priest of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian church in Kerala, who recently joined the BJP along with around 50 Christian families, has been stripped of all charges by the church.

Father Shaiju Kurian, who was serving as secretary of the Nilackal diocese in Pathanamthitta, was removed from all the charges he was holding, including that of the Sunday School. The action was taken citing complaints of misconduct against the priest.

The church spokesperson said that the action had no political connection, but in the wake of complaints received against the priest. A commission would be appointed to probe into it. An explanation was also sought from another priest who made allegations against Kurian in public without raising the matter with the church authorities.

Kurian joined the BJP last week by accepting membership from minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan. Around 50 Christian families of Pathanamthitta also joined the BJP along with him. It grabbed much attention as the BJP has been making attempts to make inroads in the Christian vote banks in the state. BJP leaders were also visiting Christian homes during the Christmas as part of the Christian outreach programme.

After Kurian joined the BJP, a slew of allegations, including misconduct towards a woman, had surfaced against him. Priests and parish members had also staged protests against him. He was also learnt to have taken leave from his responsibilities.