Call to promote communal amity

KOTTAYAM: Catholicos Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I, supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has called upon the Church to take the initiative in forming associations that would maintain communal harmony in the nation.

He was speaking during the managing committee meeting of the Church at the old seminary here on Tuesday.

In his presidential address, the Catholicos said the formation of such groups, which should comprise leaders of various religious beliefs, assumed importance in rooting out the growing evil of religious extremism and terrorism.

He also said the Church would support every effort of the State government and other organisations in promoting agriculture in barren lands. Seven Bishops were consecrated during the course of the meeting.