Kerala's Latin Catholics to hold rally

Thiruvananthapuram, India, 11 February 2014: The Latin rite Catholics in the Southern Indian State of Kerala are planning a rally in state capital Thiruvananthapuram on Feb. 28 to highlight issues affecting the community, leaders said.

Some 100,000 people are expected for the "Latheen Samudaya Maha Sangamom," which is organized under the aegis of the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC), the Trivandrum Latin Archdiocese officials said.

A meeting on Friday decided to form forane and parish-level committees and observe February 16 as flag-day as part of the event.

The Church plans to use this meeting to raise various issues including the problems faced by community members in obtaining title deeds and BPL cards, the alleged pollution from the Travancore Titanium Products Ltd (TTP), rehabilitation of people displaced for the establishment of the VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) and demanding new houses and land for fishermen families.

The Church is also pressing for the urgent commissioning of the new fishing harbour in Vizhinjam and a rehabilitation package for families that will be displaced by the Vizhinjam seaport project.
Source: UCAN