Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, the head of the Syro-Malabar Church and other senior Church leaders, in New Delhi. The meeting was described as cordial and constructive, focusing on issues concerning the Church, Christian minorities, and their role in India’s development.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said he had a “wonderful interaction with the head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Major Archbishop His Beatitude Most Rev. Mar Raphael Thattil, His Grace Archbishop Dr. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara and others.”
The delegation, led by Major Archbishop Thattil, included Archbishop Bharanikulangara of the Faridabad Archdiocese and bishops representing the Syro-Malabar Church – the largest among the three Eastern Catholic Churches in Kerala that owe allegiance to the Pope.
During the discussions, the bishops raised concerns related to the welfare of Christian minorities, micro-minority rights, and community development. PM Modi assured the delegation that the government is “always open to dialogue on all issues” and reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance. “I am always at your service,” he told the Church leaders.
Kerala BJP leaders, including State President and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and party leader Shone George, were also present during the meeting. Chandrasekhar described the meeting as a “courtesy call” and said the Prime Minister listened attentively to the concerns raised by the bishops, emphasizing that the BJP’s approach is one of inclusivity and governance beyond religious lines.
The Church delegation also submitted a request to the Prime Minister to invite the Pope to visit India, a proposal that was received positively. The bishops expressed appreciation for the government’s outreach and hoped for continued cooperation in areas such as education, social welfare, and community engagement.
The Syro-Malabar Church, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, traces its origins to St. Thomas the Apostle, who is believed to have evangelized India between 42 and 72 AD. Over centuries, the Church maintained ties with the Church of the East in the Persian Empire and evolved through significant historical phases, including the Synod of Diamper (1599) and the Coonan Cross Oath (1653), which shaped its identity and autonomy.
(With agency inputs)