Church Concerned over Loss of Faith

October 18, 2011: The Syro-Malabar Church in Southern India’s Kerala state has expressed concern over the “loss of faith and traditional values” mainly due to growing consumerism in the world.
“There may be some people who attend church only on special occasions, and it is true we need to restore faith in as many ways as we can. But no immediate action is expected,” said Fr Paul Thelakkat, spokesperson of Syro-Malabar Church.
Father Thelakat said that the “loss of traditional values and beliefs is an issue all across the world, mainly because of the influence of consumerism.”
“It is an issue we need to address. How and when the rectifying measures would be implemented is not yet decided,” the priest said.
Major Archbishop George Alencherry, in his pastoral letter, had also called for necessary steps to restore faith among the new generation.
The Vatican too had called for the celebration of a ‘Year of Faith’ from next October to reach out to more people and prevent the faithful from straying away from the religious path.
The Year of Faith will be celebrated from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013, beginning on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.