Kerala church trying to force Christian man’s Hindu wife, children to be baptized

Marriage took place 10 years ago.

By Dileep Thekkethil

A new controversy has gripped the Catholic church of Kerala after one of its members, who married a Hindu woman 10 years back, alleged that the church is now forcing his wife and children to get baptized.

According to Benny Thommana of the St Joseph’s Church, Oorakam, he married Lija Jayasudhan 10 years back and since have been living together. On March 2016, he received a letter from the Irinjalakuda diocese of the Catholic Church asking explanation as to why he married a Hindu woman, which is against the rules of the diocese.

Benny has been asked to present himself before the church’s special administrative tribunal.

Benny tied a knot with Jayasudha under the Special Marriage Act on February 7, 2005, and the church didn’t question him till now. Benny said the issues started after parish priest, Fr Pauly Padayatty, once visited their house.

On coming to know that Jayasudha and children are still following Hindu practice, the priest insisted on them getting baptized, Benny alleged.

Benny said, “He (the priest) insisted that my wife and children should get baptized.”

Benny told the vicar that his wife would follow the religion that she prefers and so will his children when they get old enough to decide it.

Benny also added that he and his family is currently living under threat and uncertainty.

“I have not done anything against the law. We are being threatened. We want to lead a peaceful life,” Benny was quoted by The Times of India.

A few days after the encounter with the vicar, Benny started receiving calls from the Bishop’s House.

“We got calls from the Bishop’s House. I won’t appear before the tribunal. There is no question of conversion. Our children will choose their religion when they grow up,” Benny said.

According to vicar Fr Padayatty, the church maintains a record of every marriage, baptism, and funeral. He added, “The tribunal calling him is a spiritual activity. We don’t ask anyone to convert.”

He also said that the church was unaware of the interreligious marriage between Benny and Jayasudha. He accused the family of having kept it as a secret till recently. Fr Padayatty reiterated that if Benny intends to follow the church, he needs to perform rituals and ceremonies of the Catholic church.

Benny’s father had passed away. His mother, Rejina, is still a member of the parish’s Catholic Mothers’ Union.