Kochi: In a striking message that blends environmental concern with socio-political critique, KCBC Lay Commission Chairman Bishop Mar George Mathathikandathil has warned that Kerala is undergoing a slow erosion not just of its landmass, but of its very identity. “The forest is pushing into human settlements, and the sea is steadily swallowing the coastline,” the bishop said while inaugurating the Kerala Catholic Federation (KCF) State Leadership Meeting at the Nest Pastoral Center in Muvattupuzha.
Framing the environmental challenges as a civilizational crisis, Bishop Mathathikandathil lamented that policymakers are failing the people. “Our rulers now seem to serve corporate interests rather than protect farmers and laborers. The voices of those at the grassroots are being drowned out by commercial priorities,” he said. He also sounded the alarm over the massive outflow of Kerala’s intellectual capital due to the pursuit of education and employment abroad. “Unregulated foreign migration has drained Kerala of some of its sharpest minds,” he noted.
The conference did not shy away from naming the issues plaguing the state. Strong criticism was directed at the State Minister for Environment, who was accused of making light of the growing distress caused by wild animal intrusions in rural and highland areas. The meeting noted that these incidents are no longer isolated but form a recurring nightmare for villagers, with elephants, wild boars, and other animals destroying crops, homes, and sometimes taking lives. “The government’s silence and delay in action only deepen public frustration. If this continues, it will be reflected at the ballot box,” warned speakers at the conference.
Apart from environmental concerns, the federation brought to the forefront pressing social issues. Drug abuse among youth and the widening crisis in hilly and coastal communities were major topics of discussion. The attendees demanded an integrated action plan to address these overlapping crises loss of livelihood, ecological instability, and addiction. Among the key resolutions passed was a strong appeal to implement the J.B. Koshy Committee Report, which contains recommendations on various public grievances. The meeting also called for immediate steps to resolve the long-standing ASHA workers’ strike, advocating for justice and dignity for frontline health workers.
Presiding over the conference was KCF State President Anil John Francis, who urged the laity to adopt a more proactive role in civil society and public discourse. General Secretary V.C. Georgekutty and Treasurer Biju Kundukulam laid out the Federation’s priorities for the coming year. Prominent leaders including Biju Parayanilam, Josukutty Oglail, Jaymon Thottupuram, Dharmaraj P., Tessibiju, Sindhumol Justus, AB Kunnelparambil, and Diocesan President Sunny Kaduthazhe offered their reflections.
In a move to strengthen its voice in media and communication, the KCF also elected Thomas Thundiyam from Pathanamthitta as the new editor of Catholic Voice, the organization’s official publication.
As the meeting concluded, one message stood clear: Kerala’s fight is no longer just for better governance but for the very soul of its landscape and people. The Kerala Catholic Federation positioned itself not merely as a faith-based body, but as a conscience-keeper one that stands firm against environmental degradation, social erosion, and political apathy.